TravelTalkOnline Forums Trip Reports (Read Only) SXM Trip Reports and Photos Trip Report, June 5 -13; Week 1, Part A

Thursday, June 5

This is my eighth trip to the island and will be my 23rd through 25th weeks.

I left Portland, OR, on Thursday, June 5, on American, laying over in DFW and arriving MIA at 9:35 PM. My outbound trip was on miles, and these two legs were first class. Flights were on time and comfortable.

I had asked for the largest room possible at Miami International Hotel and was impressed with what I was given. Since I’ve been singularly unimpressed with some of the rooms in the past, this was really a nice surprise. The room was on the top floor, and there were windows in both the spacious bedroom/sitting room as well as another one in the bathroom. There’s been some renovation, and the lobby is in a different place than it was two years ago – sort of around the corner from its previous location. The room rate included a voucher for a free breakfast, which I used. Food was unremarkable. All in all, I was pleased with my stay here this time.

Friday, June 6

For my last leg into SXM I was unable to get a first-class seat using miles. It’s a relatively short flight and coach wasn’t bad at all. At both my initial check-in and also in MIA, the agents tried to charge me baggage fees. I reminded them my reservation had been made prior to the institution of their new baggage rates and that all but one leg of my trip was first class; they reviewed the reservation further, agreed, and didn’t charge me. The nice lady in MIA even added the orange first class stickers to my luggage even though that particular leg was coach.

We had a jetway upon arrival in SXM and apparently were the only plane at our arrival time. Immigration was an absolute breeze. My luggage, which should have come off first due to the sticker, came off last so there was a wait of about 20 minutes.

I didn’t need a larger car this year and reserved a Kia with AAA. They showed up with my name on a poster shortly after I stepped outside. Off we were to their office. There was a bit of a misunderstanding about the rate, but Myra looked up Alain’s rate quote to me and honored it even though she said he miscalculated and it should have been higher. His quote was within $5 of two other quotes I received so not sure what the miscalculation would have been.

Eventually I was off to Turquoise Shall Inn for my first night before checking in to Divi. Carter checked me in in his usual gracious manner. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast and it was now approaching 3:00 p.m. so it was off to Karakter for some food. It was a beautiful beach afternoon,



and the food was delicious.



I thought the service was prompt and remained attentive. I had a lovely afternoon; it was a perfect way to ease in to vacation mode. A word of warning: there were quite a few dogs running around. SEVERAL times I saw them pee on the corner of a wooden table on which food is served. Caveat emptor.



Eventually I moved up to the covered portion to have a better view of the music. There were two female singers; I didn’t catch the name of either one of them. It wasn’t jazz but was extremely pleasant as they were singing standards from the “crooner” era. One of them was a bit off key, but I really enjoyed the other one.

I saw on Facebook that DustinBH was in Maho for their Magical Maho night and had seen Ruby Bute. So I headed over there to see Ruby and acquired five more tiles. We agreed we’ll get together for lunch while I’m here.



Eventually it was time to crash so back to the TShell Inn for a good night’s sleep. On the way back, I took a wrong turn on the roundabout and ended out going across the causeway. It’s really a beautiful structure, especially at night with all the lights. Thankfully there’s a roundabout on the other end so I could turn around and come right back.

Speaking of the TShell Inn, Carter wants to sell. I first read it was for sale in one of Ed Krantz’s newsletters and asked Carter about it. He wants to travel and be less tied down

Saturday, June 7

I’ve tried to eat at Ernest and Fidel in the past but apparently on Mondays when they are closed. Success today; I had a very nice omelette. It included walnuts, which I don’t think I’ve ever had in an omelette before. Yummy. Service was great until my meal was served. Then nothing. I was enjoying using their free wi-fi but eventually wanted another cup of coffee and more water. I took my cup and glass inside and asked for refills. Nothing. Finally went back inside again; my cup and glass were still where I had left them. Oh – we don’t give free coffee refills. Well, could you make me another cup? Eventually I received what I wanted.



There was about a 5-minute downpour while I was there but it was all over by the time I was ready to leave. On the way back to the TShell Inn, I did it again: ended out on the causeway - sheesh! Guess I’m a slow learner. Checked out of the TShell and drove to Divi. Hardly any traffic and I was there in no time.

I knew that the Seabreeze pool area was undergoing renovation but did not know that the front desk was, too. So you have to drive your luggage to the room that was a children’s playroom next to the spa, then park your car, and then go to the former members’ lounge area to check in. I’ve never seen Divi’s parking lot so full and the whole process was a bit of a cluster. They had run out of parking tags as there are so many guests.

It was only 12:30 p.m. and I didn’t expect my room to be ready, and it wasn’t. So I went to Philipsburg for awhile. A friend who will be staying at the Holland House for one night before boarding a Windjammer cruise asked me for some pictures. I obliged and then killed some time in their bar on the Boardwalk having rose and communing with my Kindle. I also supervised Divi from across the Bay.





I went back to Divi around 2:30 and was pleased that my room was ready. Russell, my favorite bellman, was on duty and took me and my bags to my room. It felt sooo like home walking in to my room! I unpacked and then took off for Grande Marche. (Divi makes it difficult for Jeannie to deliver as they want you to get your provisions from their onsite store.) After the groceries were unpacked, I headed off to Mama Pizza to join Gretchen and Larry and Debbie and Jean for dinner. I had a Caesar salad with chicken; everyone else’s pizzas looked delicious.



Back to Divi to enjoy my deck and get started on this report before I forget the details. I saw some cats on the property this evening so likely will pick up some cat food tomorrow and continue my ritual of feeding them on my deck. It helps me not miss my felines at home quite so much.

Sunday, June 8

Slept in a bit and headed to the orientation gathering, where I won a certificate at a jewelry store downtown which I’m sure I won’t use. Then had breakfast at Toucan’s at Divi, where they were serving buffet. Unremarkable food but my tummy was happy. Having seen more cats running around, I headed to Grand Marche for cat food. There were a few rain showers; but by the time I was back at Divi, it was hot and sunny. I spent the afternoon on my deck reading.

Then it was time to head to SBYC to be dinghied (is that a word?) to the Passaat for a sunset cruise. As I’ve reported before, this is one of my favorite island activities. We had a nice group of 11: DonLinda, DustinBH and 2 of his friends, another single gal, and a party of four who were staying at LaVista and enjoying their first visit to the island. It was another lovely sail; not quite enough wind for Captain Pieter to be happy, but delightful nonetheless. We didn’t really get to see a sunset as there were too many clouds, but it was a wonderful sail.


Only hors d’oeuvres are served on the sunset cruise so it was time for dinner. I’ve been wanting to try Crave so headed there with Nancy (the other single gal). It was totally dark, and I wondered if they had shut down. We went next door to Bavaria instead and had a good dinner; no service charge was added. The server at Bavaria told us that Crave was closed on Sundays but not shut down. Good news!

I was supposed to meet a group at LaBamba to listen to Category 5 but was feeling sleepy. Back to Divi for trip reporting, reading, and bed. The now-free wifi at Divi is worth what I’m paying for it: next to impossible to get a connection.

Monday, June 9

I started the morning slowly, breakfasting on my deck and fielding annoying phone calls. The first was from Royal Caribbean Jewelers, who now have a small store on the property, telling me I had won a free gift and could pick it up at their downtown store. I told them I doubted I’d be going to Pburg so they said they would have it at their store here at Divi for me to come pick up.

The second call was more irritating. When walking the property, I’ve been turning down all invitations to schedule an “owner update” as all the ones I’ve attended previously were nothing but an attempt to sell me another unit and hopefully get me out of my non-mandatory contracts. So Divi’s concierge called me to ask if she could set an appointment. I told her no and why. She claimed it was not a sales opportunity and just an update. I doubt it and still declined but found the call intrusive.

I finally made it to Orient Beach around noon and hung out there for a few hours. It was pretty windy, and I thought the water was not warm so headed back to Divi after a few hours.

I had an invitation to join a group at Jimbo’s for dinner but had my heart set on Fusion and was not disappointed. The meal started with their complimentary miso shooter; I thought it tasted a little different this year and didn’t enjoy it as much. Next was their goat cheese spring roll salad, which I’ve always enjoyed. While it was presented differently this year, it was still as good as I remembered. Since the salad is a good size, I ordered an appetizer of crab cakes for my main. Also most excellent.



I was surprised when I received my bill that they had comped my glass of wine; not sure why unless they recognized me as a returning customer. They do add 15% to the bill. Back to Divi for some reading and bedtime.

Tuesday, June 10

It was a Divi Day. I spent it by the Infinity Pool, where there is a nice new gazebo, and on my deck.

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The wifi continues to be an aggravation. It is difficult to get a connection; often you are greeted with the message that there are too many subscribers–please try again later. Annoying. It was especially irritating when I was on my deck, attempting to catch up on GaKaye’s well-done blog on her China trip. It just bumped me off my connection. But there was occasional entertainment from my feline friends, who seem far fewer this year. I have recognized for sure only one from last year and have seen no more than four that I can distinguish.

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I left early for Grand Case where I was meeting a group for dinner at Piazza Pascal. In strolling the streets before dinner, who should I run in to but John and Cyndi Berglund! And in front of another restaurant I heard my name called; turns out it was Divi owners whom I had expected to see here who are staying elsewhere this week.

Dinner at Piazza Pascal was delicious, of course. I neglected to take a photo of my pistachio-encrusted red snapper, but it was wonderful. Eventually back to Divi to catch up on the tragic news of the latest school shooting, this time in my city. I noticed water in the Seabreeze pool today and assume the reopening of the pool and restaurant aren’t too far away.