Trip report Jan 5, to Jan 20, 2006
It’s hard to put this in perspective when it’s snowing and we now have at least 6 inches on the ground.

We flew from BDL to SXM on US Air. Deicing the plane is always discomforting to Leslie, but leaving the snow of CT is better. When we arrived at Charlotte we pick up a lunch for the flight to SXM. There are lots of places, in CLT, to pick up good food, the sandwich they serve on the plane leaves a lot to be desired. The flight from CLT to SXM was held up for mechanical reasons, very un-nerving to see 3 grown men standing inside the engine opening with a spec sheet and shrugging their shoulder’s. After repairs we pulled away from gate and then had to go back to gate to get the “paper work” required for the pilot. The trip home was easy and uneventful.

We got into SXM a little late and since we were staying at Turtle Pier we had decided to walk the five minutes it takes to get there. It was a good thing that we did; the traffic going towards Simpson Bay was at a stand still.

Check in was easy and we had a first floor room. After getting settled in we went down to the bar and had a drink. After one drink Les decided to go back to take a shower before having dinner. Well every year Leslie seems to get sick just before we go on vacation and this year was no exception. I guess that trying to get every thing done before leaving work and home takes it toll on her. Well after I finished my drink I went to check on her and she was asleep for the night. I went back down and had my dinner at the bar, talked to Al Whatley, the owner, and others and then went to bed. The Turtle Pier is more like a B&B, small (only 8 rooms) very personal and caring service. With the room you get to have a breakfast choice of eggs and bacon, ham etc., Mango or Banana Pancakes or a fruit cup and chances are that it will be served by our favorite server Selma. The Mango Pancakes are my favorite and Les likes the fruit cup with kiwi, mango, pineapple, melon and banana’s. For an additional charge you can pick off the regular menu.

We rent our car from Maynard car rentals in Philipsburg and have been doing so for several years, good rate and again it’s a personal relationship with someone from the SXM economy. We call Franklin when we are ready to get our car and he drives out to pick us up at Turtle Pier. Well when we called to make our reservation, back in Oct, Franklin he told us that he and his wife were expecting a new baby and that it should be born by the time we arrived on SXM.

When Franklin picked us up he told us that his wife had had the baby and that we had to go home with him to see the baby right away. A beautiful baby…6 days and ready to greet us and the world.
The baby girl, Lynette Liesa Maynard was the first baby born on SXM for 2006. Her middle name is for Liesa Euton owner of Los Gaucho’s Restaurant, her first name is for her Aunt.
Being brought home to see a new born by the proud father is a very special relationship and shows the love that our guests on SXM have for us. I saw the newspaper articles and the photos from the paper. Proud parents…
Well we left, finished the paperwork and could not think of anything that could add to the day………
We stopped at Rimas, picked some ceramic tiles to decorate our exercise room at home. And Back to Turtle Pier.
Down at the TP Restaurant we had stopped for some drinks and dinner. We sat at the bar and met people waiting to go on the pub crawl and then people that had been out on the Lagoon cruise with the Celine. Al Whatley, the owner bought us a drink and introduced us to Pierre and Philippe the new lease holders for the restaurant at Turtle Pier. The subject that Leslie has been losing here voice came up, she couldn’t talk, and Les went into this explanation about meeting a shop keeper who told her that she should go to the French Pharmacist. Well Pierre is a French Pharmacist in Marigot and he gave Les a large shot glass with Rum, lime and something else. Well it worked and it seems everywhere, bar, we went they would give her one without asking. She didn’t stay sick long.
We picked up our phone from Sharon, a real sweetheart, which I lost later in the week; I left it on the roof of the car. It was returned by a young French boy found it on the road by Friars Bay. He called Sharon, she drove over to Friars Bay and picked up the phone and when I called my cell phone number Sharon answered. It was a surprise to me that she answered and it was a surprise to Sharon that she got the phone back, first ever.

We stay at the Sea Palace and are very pleased at what is happening with the “boardwalk”. The boardwalk now is complete from Bobby’s Marina to the Sea Palace. The next phase on the beach and on Front St is already underway and that will bring the Boardwalk to Great Bay Hotel and beautification of Front St to Great Bay. Front St is not accessible for traffic. When the Cruise ships are in the beach, on Great Bay, is filled with Umbrellas and chairs and it is a very colorful look. A great many of the Cruise ship people are taking advantage of the beach and its activities. In the mornings many, including Les and myself, walk the length of the boardwalk for exercise; there are joggers and people with rollerblades too. In the evenings many families with small children are bike riding, walking and using the boardwalk. In the center of Phillipsburg, where the wharf is, they are improving it and they are adding two small wading pools for the tots. The boardwalk has lots of lighting and is very bright at night, all night, so it is a great place to walk to get to all the restaurants located on Front St.

The Celine Cruise, an outstanding, enjoyable day. I didn’t know what to expect and all I knew is that it left at 7:30 and got that we would get back at 6: PM. It would be hard to find a more fun crew and fellow travelers than what was on the Celine this day. Leslie was excided about being able to steer the Celine across to Tintamare. She had sailed the Aegean and LI Sound, but never the waves like this day. She loved it. And she got to steer again on the way home without incident. Our ship mate and friend Dee on the other hand was admonished by Jerry, her husband, for steering to close to a very large catamaran. I saw the catamaran when it was behind us but not when it was in front of us, apparently no one saw it. This was a great source of fun and laughs for the rest of the week with Jerry & Dee. On Tintamare we were given the rights of passage and initiate with the mud baths. I was under the belief that my Leslie, would not engage is such a ritual. Again I was surprised that she was one of the first to lay down in a mud hole and be covered in clay, I laughed and was also introduced to the fine mud of Tintamare.
We had a great breakfast on the way over and Regina was making the best coffee to go with the best chocolate croissants. After the mud baths, and swimming for a while, lunch was served back on the Celine. A fine lunch, Pialla, Grilled chicken and Ribs. If any one knows the receipe’s for the lunch I would like to have them. All of the fine food and wine was worth the price of the trip alone.
Regina and David Beard are great at finding great things to do; they bring a high level of excitement to any event we have attended. Thanks to both…

Dee and Jerry, Pam and Rick, are great for finding musical talent and we went with them to listen and dance to some great music. “Chocolate Sax, Watts” (Paris Bistro, Boat House) and the piano player, Rick help me with his name, at Sopranos.
New places we ate at
Paris Bistro, Best Tuna I have had on St Maarten. A real surprise.
Le France, Very good dinner and great tasting Rib eye. Best chocolate dessert.
Le poulet de Orleans, Our thanks to Tony for a memorable dinner, this will be one place that we will eat at more often. Dinner for 2, a bottle of wine $60.
Friars Bay Café, Nice Salads
Gutside, when you meet Richard and Lourdes you will think that you just returned home after a long absence. They become friends very fast.
A must stop.
Alabama, Everyone else has said how good it is and how right they are.
Thanks to the people on TTOL for their suggestions of where to eat….
Old Places revisited
Marks Place, Best Grouper on the Island, All you can eat ribs $12.50; I just get the dinner portion of ribs for $9.50, excellent. Best Value for sit down dinner, Pam the Curry Goat is spicy, Rick has to finish hers.
Kangaroo Court, Breakfast 2+2+2 for 2.50, eggs bacon and toast. Best Caesar Salad on Island.
Pasagraan (sp) always go and always enjoy
Rosie’s on Mullet Beach, Best Hot Dog, Leslie will only eat hotdogs here…great combo meal too.
Ric’s place, the best Breakfast
Pineapple Pete’s $180.00 for dinner for four, I question that…watch you receipt…..food was good.
Pink Pearl, Friday night buffet $10.00
Atlantic bakery fine snacks.

Weather, had lots of wind and rain with many beaches being washed out the second week, saw a rescue, at Mullet Bay, of a swimmer by the boys on surf boards. He was lucky they were there.. Coast Guard was at the beach to survey the damages….
While on St Maarten, a guest at the Sea Palace died. He died on the beach on the French side. I am telling this because as sad as it was the wife had great composure and strength. The hardest part for her was dealing with the French funeral home. The funeral home they were sending his remains to was on Boston St. in Provedence RI. The French funeral home wanted to send his remains to Boston. Finding a capable interpreter would have helped.
Thanks to all, 27 years visiting and still learning about St Maarten..
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