We were in desperate need of this trip with busy schedules at work and every other spare moment trying to get our house ready to sell. So our plan was to get there and STOP. And that’s just what we did.
We abandoned our usual USAir BDL CLT SXM route for FF tickets on the non-stop from Newark. Bill booked a park and fly at the Hilton, which was very nice. He picked me up from work on Monday; we drove to Newark, got a good nights sleep and shuttled over to the airport in the am. The flight was on time and uneventful. We use carry ons only and were off the plane and through immigration quickly. The representative from AAA was waiting for us and after a short drive to their lot, we were off to the Atrium again.
We had a one-bedroom unit (302), which was like all the other one bedroom units we have stayed in there. Clean and comfy, full kitchen, nice view off the balcony, towel change and quick pick up daily and one mid week thorough cleaning. Very nice staff and a free computer with hi speed internet access in the lobby. We love the location in Simpson Bay. We can park our car after a day at the beach and not have to worry about driving anywhere in the evenings. No designated driver necessary – just in case!
We unpacked and headed off to see Wanda at Buccaneer Beach Bar. After a couple of cold ones and a shared sliced steak sandwich, I walked back to Atrium and finally got my long awaited haircut from Miguel while Bill kept Wanda company. I’m still undecided if it was worth the wait. I guess my expectation that I would walk out of there with hair as wonderful as Deepti or Wanda was a little over the top! It’s a great cut, but perhaps not my style. I’m still playing with it.
Thanks to everyone’s great directions, we made our way to Grand Marche in Cole Bay (NOT the one by Mark’s place!) and picked up our few groceries. Cereal, yogurt, fruit, milk, sun block and moisturizer. Then back to BBB to see Curtis. After a few more cold ones and a shared teriyaki chicken sandwich, we stumbled off to bed.
We spent every day but one on Club O beach. As always, it was wonderful. Met lots of nice neighbors, enjoyed happy hour at the Perch and swam a lot in the wonderful warm water! We are almost compulsive about sun block, but found ourselves at the end of day one kinda “pink”. Not burned, but overdone. Pretty pissed and believe the sun block was bad, even though it was the same brand we have been using for several years. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" /> So we took day #2 off and drove aimlessly around the island. We tried to find Anthony Chapon’s (sp?) gallery in Cul De Sac with no luck. I have seen his watercolors and love them. Will try again next time. Stopped in Marigot for about ½ hour, but the place just doesn’t do much for us. We also stopped at the pharmacy in Grand Case and got a very nice sun block by Vichy – which I have seen mentioned here several times. Is it Contessa who brings it home by the caseload?
We were getting a little hungry for some lunch, so went down to the Promenade in Philipsburg in search of Pirates in Paradise where our friend Curtis is working during the day. Had a few cold ones and a plate of OK ribs and a fun time watching the cruisers on the beach get slowly plastered buying buckets ‘o beer. Speaking of cruisers – there were NO ships in Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday! Gawkers were gone!
Bill and I are always on the lookout for a good pub. So we decided that evening to check out the Crazy Leprechaun Irish Pub. It’s across the street from the pay parking lot at Bobby’s marina. I believe it used to be a Chinese restaurant??? Anyway, we had a wonderful time. Very friendly patrons, and the owner/bartender/cook Carl took very good care of us. Bill got his Guinness and I was happy with a decent Irish whiskey. I don’t go looking for fried foods, even at home. But Bill loves fish and chips. I’m telling you, if you’re looking from some authentic British (sorry Carl – Irish) fish and chips, this is the place to go. Bill, who orders it anywhere it’s on the menu, says it was the BEST he has ever had. And it’s HUGE. Real cod that is flown in every other day. We shared ONE and we couldn’t finish it. I swear, this fish was 16” long and 5” wide. And only $12.95. We had a fun evening and only left because Bill was designated driver so he couldn’t drink anymore! Carl is hoping to open a second pub in Simpson Bay. I THINK it may be in the Liberty Inn building, where Mathilda’s is closed??? We wish Carl all the best of luck and we will certainly visit again.
We invaded Neil’s Pub Crawl one evening and had a great time as always. A fun bunch of folks and Neil’s new hostess, Nikki, was a treat. It was great to spend time with another old friend. Neil kindly invited us to his home for dinner one evening. Talk about a VIEW, wow! Now I know what you all are talking about when describing the food on his day cruises. Yummy! And Neil – thanks for the fireworks!
It was very quiet most places we went. Low season has arrived. We never had traffic issues that caused us more than a 5-minute delay. Saw police in evidence on both sides of the island and never had any safety issues.
The days run together when you’re not doing anything, so here’s a quick list of things I can remember:
Happy Hour at Kissing Fish – Always a fun time and we always meet new, fun folks. A nice warm welcome from Chloe and Thierry.
Breakfast at Kissing Fish – Thierry forgot to buy bananas for the banana pancakes and I though Bill would cry he loves them so much. But Thierry whipped up some incredible Grand Mariner French Toast. Now Bill has to make a decision when we go back! I’m happy with eggs and bacon! We joined our new TTOL friends Carolyn and Walt for a wonderful, relaxing meal.
Peg Legs – Except for Shawn, most all our old friends are gone. Had a drink and left.
Skipjacks – have to go for their mussels. Spent a very nice evening talking with a policeman from the Dutch side. We love sitting at the bar anywhere we go. You get to meet so many folks from all over the world.
Baywatch – Gotta have my Margarita Shrimp. Bill had the grouper sandwich and both were, as always, wonderful! Any and Cheryl are… well, Andy and Cheryl!
Toppers – another WOW! We walked over from BBB for dinner just as it started to rain. Almost turned back as we heard music and had just left the really awful band that had played Sunday night at BBB for quite awhile and we just didn’t want to hear anymore. Am I glad we didn’t! First, we would have been drowned or electrocuted as an incredible thunderstorm with pouring rain broke just after we walked in the door. Second, we would have missed a great meal! And third, the reincarnation of Nat King Cole was singing! Heaven!!!!
Bill always loved the calamari pepperocini appetizer at Bananas and would always order a double for a meal. I had read that Toppers also served this dish and that was the reason we stopped. Bill was so happy to be able to get the calamari again, and I tried the brisket dinner. Both were absolutely incredible. And to be able to sit at the bar enjoying this wonderful meal and listen to what is billed as a “Jazz Band” – was another very special night for us. I’m not sure of the name of the group, but it was two very nice gentlemen, one on guitar and one with trumpet and a keyboard/synthesizer or whatever they are called (plays the melody in the background). Both men had very nice voices and the music was great. Love the trumpet, and a friend joined in with his coronet and they really wailed. Then for one set, the guitar player was the lead singer. I have tears in my eyes thinking about it. Close your eyes, Nat King Cole was singing to me! And Louis Armstrong….. The man had a wonderful voice and the whole place was singing along. I sure hope we get to listen to them again. I know for sure they play on Sunday and Tuesday and one other day that I forget. If you see Jazz Band Tonite on the sign out front – GO!
Went back the next night after the TTOL get together (actually, all but staggered there!) with Tom and Lillian (ochiwater) and had another very nice meal. Bill again had the calamari and I went for the meatloaf with mac and cheese. Both were very fine meals. It was rock and roll night. And while it wasn’t as great as Sunday night, the single guy with guitar was very good. I like the ambiance at Toppers much better than Bananas. Much brighter and cheerful with very friendly staff who were concerned for our comfort and pleasure. If you haven’t been, put it on your list!
We also posted a couple of TTOL “meets” for this trip.
The first was at Kissing Fish where we shared a couple of drinks and a couple of Thierry’s incredible pizza’s with Bob and Vicki (Bob B), Tom and Lillian (ochiwater), Jeanine (Nini) and her mom. It was great to meet everyone. We spent more time with Bob and Vicki and Tom and Lillian on the beach in the coming days! I don’t have any pictures of this one, but Jeanine took some and I hope she will post them when she returns.
A belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Bob B, who celebrated one that ends in an “0” the day we left!
The second was at Buccaneer Beach Bar. I hate to admit we got a little overwhelmed by all the folks that came. We expected 6 or 8 and got about 20! It was a great turnout, but without nametags, I don’t remember everyone’s names. I guess I’ll remember to bring blank nametags even for the get-togethers I don’t really plan! We had a very nice time, met some wonderful folks (some who are new to TTOL, or will be when they return), and had a little too much to drink. Thanks Neil for the shooters! Those I have names written down: Sharon (Trinigirl) who stopped by very briefly, our breakfast mates Carolyn and Walt, Debbie (scuba1dep) and her entourage, Katie (KTG) and her lovely friend (OMG – I can’t believe I don’t remember that name!), last minute Dave, and Tom & Lillian (ochiwater) our dining and drinking mates. I apologize to all of you who I DO remember, but just have a really bad memory for names. I know we will meet up on the island again. Especially the very nice lady who signed a lease to rent an apartment. See you after the Holidays! I do have pictures from this one. They are slowly making their way from the camera to the computer. And hopefully within a day or two will make it to the web so I can post a link here!
Sadly, I think this one will, for me, always be “The Last TTOL Party at Neil’s Buccaneer Beach Bar. I really believe it will be. There’s been much speculation about the fate of BBB and Neil. We did see Neil several times when we were helping to “close down” the bar. As of Tuesday, 6/12 the bar and property had NOT sold, but Neil was hoping to close on a deal that day. Don’t know what the deal is, and it’s none of our business. Whether it went thru or not, hopefully someone returning this week will have further information. There is hope by Neil and his staff that Buccaneer Beach Bar will not go away, just under new management. That is also our hope and we wish the best for everyone involved. Neil was hoping to be leaving the island shortly (With Wanda and Gabe in charge if the deal doesn’t close). He has several options for his future, but the most exciting to us was he hopes to bicycle the East coast from Florida to Maine. Can you imagine! Neil is a special person who has done much on and for the island over the years. We wish him all the best in whatever comes next. Thanks for all the fun times, Neil! Now what do we do with all these darn coasters?
The trip home was uneventful after a stop at BBB to say goodbye to Wanda (and Curtis again!). Check in at the airport was quick, no line at security so we had an hour to spend quality time at the Rum Jumbie Bar before boarding for our on time flight back to Newark.
Promise to get the pictures up as soon as I can. I also owe Neil copies of the Pub crawl pictures!
And again, many thanks to all of you who post here with tons of great information. Now I need your support to get me through until the next trip – WHICH ISN’T PLANNED YET! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />
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