Trip Report-7/1/06-7/15/06

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />
This was our 13th trip to SXM in the last 12 years, and our 13th trip report. I will try and keep it as simple as possible. We celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary this year. We were married in SXM. We’re kind of set in our ways and like to do the same things each year. Like others have said, it’s like coming home again. I will list things in no special order.


Air - We flew non-stop from EWR on Continental. We had an extremely long wait for our luggage in SXM. 3 flights came in at the same time and they had both carousels operating. All of the luggage was mixed together so things were kind of a mess. Eventually we got all of our pieces, with everything intact. The flight home was delayed and we faced more delays at EWR because of a broken jetway. They finally towed the plane to another gate so we could finally get off.

Car Rental - As usual, we used Claude at Somerset Car Rental. We use him every year. $125 per week and the car is at the airport when you arrive, and all you have to do is leave it at the airport with key in ashtray when you leave. Claude will usually drop by your room at some point to do paperwork, but we ran into him at Royal Palm while picking up the cell phone from Sharon Harris, and we took care of business in the parking lot. Claude has new cars this year----darn----we just love the clunkers!

Pelican Resort----Seems to be in good shape. We found new kitchen appliances and bathroom tile in our unit this year. Hooray!!! Excavation and construction going on for the new Marina building. We were not impacted by any noise as we’re all the way up in the upper B building. Lots and lots of old friends to catch up with. Like I said, it’s like coming home again.

Restaurants - Jimbo's--Great Tex/Mex and American food in a delightful relaxed atmosphere. Also has built-in beach and wading lagoon for the kids. Reasonably priced.

Shrimpy's –We went here because I was told they had a spicy chicken on the menu. I don't eat seafood. They had shrimp cooked about a dozen ways but the only meat they had was Bratwurst, of all things. Everyone who had the shrimp said it was very good. Bratwurst tasted more like Knockwurst, but it was okay. Cheap to eat. They are located behind the old Hot Tomatoes Restaurant.

The Wharf - Very nice restaurant on Simpson Bay. Food was good and they have entertainment there while you eat. Reasonably priced.

LaGondola - Very nice restaurant, but probably our worst meal on the island. It took 1 hour and 15 minutes to get our main course, and my sauce was pasty and thick. MaryAnn's sauce was too sweet. The dessert was good. Probably won't go back again. I think they were better when they were in Sandy Ground, plus a little on the expensive side. The meal actually didn’t cost us anything because the manager of the Atlantis Casino (who is a former pit boss from the Hollywood Casino) bought us dinner that night. He was so happy that we traveled over from Pelican to gamble at Atlantis that he bought us dinner. Personally, I think he was just deliriously happy from the fact that Italy had just won the World Cup!!!! But hey, whatever the reason it was an extremely generous and friendly thing to do (plus it brought us back to Atlantis many times!)

Tabba Caddy (sp) - We went here for our Anniversary Dinner with our friends Ben & Susie and Tom & Joan. Beautiful restaurant located 1 block from Captain Oliver's in Oyster Pond. The tables are located around a pool with a lot of plants. Very pretty. The service was very attentive and while the sauce on my steak was a little too sweet for my taste, everybody loved their food and I would definitely go back again. They have a very large menu and it is reasonably priced.

Chesterfields - The best meal for the money. Always a good meal here. Free refills on the iced tea.

Rick's Place - Went here for a quick burger before going to the movies. I would say just okay burger.

Spiga - Wonderful restaurant with delicious food. Nice atmosphere, security guard positioned right outside. Reasonably priced.

Mario's Bistro - Went here for the 1st time in about 8 years. They have always been on vacation at this time of year. I had the best steak of the whole trip. That's about all I eat in SXM. Profiteroles for dessert were great. The only restaurant that we went to where I left full. This was our “alone” anniversary dinner. Prices a little on the expensive side, but well worth it.

LaPetite Auberge De Isles - Another great price fix dinner as usual. Very good food and very nice owners, and of course, Micmac the dog. MaryAnn just LOVES the mussels.

Dinner at Ben & Susie's the night we arrived. Great chicken.

Dinner at the B building at Pelican Resort with Larry & Gretchen, Ben & Susie, Tom & Joan and Dave & Gladys. Steak, chicken and Ribs and great company.

Dinner “a la Marini” with MaryAnn. Best meal of the vacation.

The Hideaway at La Vista----Great meal, beautiful setting, fantastic service, reasonable price. Who could ask for anything more-----plus we didn’t even have to get in the car to go there!!!


Beaches - Pinel Isle - as good as ever. Very shallow on Yellow side.

Happy Bay - A beautiful day with about a dozen of our friends. Our friends told us how to hike in from the other side, rather than going through Friar’s Bay. About a 10 minute easy walk. Spectacular as always. The water was just beautiful.

Plum Baie - One of the more beautiful beaches on SXM. A lot of rocks in the water this year.

Baie Rouge - Beautiful water. Oh so clear!! Very hot sand.

Cupecoy - Probably our favorite beach to be with friends. Construction going full force at the far end, but it did not bother us as some people will say. There were a lot of construction guys and those homes are going up very fast. The ones in front will have little pools right against that ugly wall with the pipes sticking out. Hope we will be able to get there next year. Parking is up on the cliff, which we actually like better than parking by the wall. There was plenty of beach, and we were able to swim most days. There were a couple of little tropical waves going past, and on those days the water was a little rough, but nothing unusual for Cupecoy. Danny and the guys are still there and business seemed to be booming. I guess the future of that C/O beach is up in the air, depending on what happens with the construction. Let’s all hope for the best!

Orient Beach - Orient Beach is Orient Beach! As nice as ever. We spent the day at Club O each time we were there. Paid the security guard for parking, chairs and umbrella. If you have your own equipment, you can park over by Pedro’s and walk in and set up shop. Lots of people were doing that. Lots of beach.


4th of July Parade and Party at Bay Watch - Another great parade of over 60 people marching from Club Orient up to the big rock by Boo Jams and back to Bay Watch. Everybody was all painted up or decorated for the 4th. Lots of fun. Then the party started at Bay Watch. All the hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, and watermelon you can eat for $15 each. Everybody had a great time dancing inside and on the beach. The cameras were going full force.


TTOL party at BBB - Went to the TTOL party at BBB on July 6th which was run by Berne and Gary. Thanks for your effort! There were a lot of people there. We got there a little late but had a nice time. Hope somebody posts some pictures.


C/O Cruise on the Random Wind - This was my 2nd year of running a CO cruise. Last year we went on the Celine, which was fun. This year we tried the Random Wind. Everybody said they had a great time and want to do it again next year. There were 14 of us which included Ben & Susie, Bill & Laurie, Bob & Maryjo, Larry & Gretchen, Bruce & Sheila, Dick and Bev, and us. Also onboard was Leary the Captain and Joni the mate. Martin was off island for a few days. We had a blast. We had a full breakfast at Rics Place, then sailed down the coast past Cupecoy, Long Baie, Plum Baie, Baie Rouge, and on to Friars Bay. We made 3 stops, Friars for lunch, Baie Rouge for a swim, and Long Baie (La Samana) for another swim before heading back. We had great weather except for 1 shower on the way back. Next year will be C/O CRUISE # 3.


ETC'S - As stated by others, there is a lot of construction going on all over the island. We didn't get over to see Dawn Beach. The traffic in Simpson Bay is very bad. You really have to watch your timing. There is a new pastry shop in Simpson Bay called LeSuchre (sp?). Very good pastries with tables out back on the lagoon. Nice breeze. New airport coming along fine. Should be opening soon. If you are in the Simpson Bay area and want ribs make sure you go to Lido. They are in the parking lot of the Lido Supermarket and restaurant. $5 for an order of ribs (about 20).

Weather this year was a little iffy. We had a few showers each day, which isn’t unusual this time of year for SXM, but they just seemed to be a little more frequent. The skies never really cleared up completely for one of those picture perfect days. We didn’t lose any beach time, which is the most important thing!! We did have a huge thunderstorm one night around 2AM. The upper B building at Pelican was absolutely rocking----and I mean that literally. We stayed in that building for Hurricane Bertha in 1996 and that building never shook that much!!!!!

We had an incident of a stolen towel from our balcony at Pelican. Doesn’t seem like such a big deal, but the Pelican does charge for towels not returned. We reported it to security only to be told that this was the first time in the history of the Pelican that this has ever occurred!!!! They also stated that they had no “procedure” for this type of thing and there would have to be an investigation!!! After a couple of hours I guess the security guard found a wet towel somewhere and called us in to give it to us. We turned it in for a new one, thus avoiding much paperwork for him and who knows what “investigation” for us!! Just another day in paradise!!


Well, that's about it. Was trying to keep it short but got carried away. Can't wait for our next trip. Hoping to extend a little bit for next year. Any questions, feel free to ask.......Paul & MaryAnn


PS...Pictures to come soon............. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cool.gif" alt="" />