St. Martin Trip Report 7/25-8/09/2008 Link to pics. below

Friday July 25

11 AM Flight from Miami, was uneventful, although we left 10 minutes early, and arrived 20 minutes early in SXM. Breezed through customs then had to wait 30 minutes for our bags. We met Unity Rent a Car and Packlight right out front. We got our chairs and umbrella, went over the rental car and we were on our way.
After a stop at Le Grande March for some groceries, we headed to LaPlantation. We were pleasantly surprised to find they had done a lot or renovations here, The main office was enlarged, and the pool area has al been redone. The road in has been repaved and new signs put up. We got our key and went to our room. We had room 892 and the driveway is very narrow and steep. With 2 cars there is no room to turn around at the top and you must back down the driveway. This should prove to be interesting later in the week. The room itself was smaller then we had in the past but plenty comfortable for the two of us. It was newly redecorated and included a complimentary bottle of Ma Doudou vanilla rum. We quickly unpacked, and headed to Club O for 2 for 1 Happy Hour at Papagayos. We didn’t get to the beach until around 5, but it was refreshing after traveling all day. After a quick shower we headed to Talk of the Town for dinner. JoAnn had shrimp and I had rib the dinner, couple of beers, JoAnn had a drink total bill $21.00. Early night after traveling all day.

Saturday

Early rise with a short walk on Orient. Saw Andy at Baywatch and promised to stop back for breakfast later in our stay. We had the complimentary breakfast at LaPlantation which basically consists of soft boiled eggs, croissants, ham and cheese and cereal. We then headed to Waikiki for the day. We did make it to Club O for happy hour where there was quite a crowd. Club O seems to be very busy compared to other places on the beach. We did dinner at our favorite restaurant in Grande Case, Spigas. Carpaccio, unbelievable meat ravioli, in veal sauce to die for and JoAnn had Gnocchi with gorgonzola cream sauce. Food as always was awesome, service was slow but they were busy, every table full. About $70.00 and we called it a night.

Sunday

An absolutely beautiful sunrise this morning, although we slept in and skipped our morning walk. Today was another day for us to get in the vacation mode. We took our chairs we got at Pack light and spent the day at Club O people watching and enjoying doing nothing. We had dinner in Grande Case, Sky’s the Limit, great snapper, JoAnn had ribs, $25.00, no one for one here, but the quantity was a bit more.

Monday

Breakfast at LaPlantation, then off to Pinal Island. Shuttle ran at 10 AM and we headed right to the backside. JoAnn searched for sea glass, I read my book. More people than we have ever seen there. Water was calmer than last year, although tide was out and very shallow. We stayed a couple of hours and decided to hit Club O for happy hour. We met some great people there and had a few drinks. Lounged on the beach, when we had enough of that we called it a day. Tonight was lobster night at LaPlantation. We enjoyed a split lobster, veggies and drinks. $125.00, not 1 to 1 for Euros, but service was great and very nice ambiance. We hadn’t done this in several years but we totally enjoyed it.

Tuesday

Another glorious day in St. Martin. We managed to walk Orient and then breakfast at LaPlantation. Then, off to the Loterie Farm where somehow I convinced my wife to do the zip lines there. What an experience, obstacle course through the trees, and then zip line back down the hillside. This certainly wore us out. The whole adventure took a little more than an hour, but what a great experience. Allan our guide, was with us the whole way to make sure we didn’t get in trouble. Great fun, although strenuous. We are both in our 50’s and consider ourselves in pretty good shape, if you are not, I wouldn’t try it. From here we headed to the Perch for happy hour, couple of drinks, a couple hours on the beach and we were done. Back to the room and get cleaned up for dinner. Dinner tonight was at the Lolo’s. We opted for the Rib Shack. JoAnn had Creole shrimp with Cole slaw. I opted for the tuna and Cole slaw (Cold Slaw on the menu). Both excellent and reasonably priced, one for one, $23.00 with drinks. When we were done eating the woman in charge asked us if we could move so another family could sit down to eat, We agreed, and as we did a nice French couple that were staying at LaPlantation, asked if we would like to sit with them while they ate their dinner. We did and had nice conversation with them. They spoke better English than we spoke French so that helped.

Wednesday

Up early again, to the windiest morning since we have been here. And of course, today was our day to do the Tiko Tiko cruise. We ate then headed to Club Orient for our 9:30 departure. A full house today, 15 people on board the most we have ever had. We met some old friends and made some new ones. Rough crossing to Tintemarre, but it was worth it, when we got there it was calm. We snorkeled, drank a bit, ate a wonderful lunch, snorkeled and drank some more. Then it was time for the mud bath, the highlight of the trip. All in all it was great fun. We returned around 5:00 said our goodbyes and each went our separate ways. After a little relaxing from all the sun we went to Rancho del Sol at the top of the hill outside Orient Bay. We both had ribeyes, a few drinks, very good. Euro equaled 1 to 1.2 or something like that, $55.00.

Thursday

This morning was cloudy, and not so nice a beach day. We went to breakfast here and met our French friends again. I asked the about the tipping policy here on SXM. She didn’t quite understand, so the woman that works breakfast here in the morning helped explain. Tipping on the Dutch or French side is not expected as food and service is included in the bill. However, if you find the service is exceptional you may leave 10 or 15% extra. That is good to know, I hate overtopping especially if the service is slow, on the other hand, I don’t want to look like a cheapskate.
After breakfast here we went to Pburg shopping. We started at Rima’s, of course and then walked down to Front street. Two cruise ships in, so they were very busy. Lots of guards and security every where, one each by every jewelry store. I kept thinking about what happened to Bruce and Kim the day before over in Orient village. I hope soon they start catching these people or soon no one will want to come here anymore.

On the way back from Phillipsburg, it was raining pretty good so knowing it was a washout at the beach, we went into Friars Beach and had lunch at Kali’s beach Bar. Burger for me, Joann salad 8.50 and 9.00 Euro respectively, Heineken, diet Coke $36.00. A solid 1.50 to 1 on the Euro, certainly a little overpriced for what we had. As you can guess the tip was included.
Thursday evening we went to Calms for drinks and sat on the beach. We met some TTOL friends and had dinner at The Rib Shack , at the Lolos, Again was very good, inexpensive and very enjoyable.

Friday

Cloudy again. We spent the morning at the beach dodging showers. Happy hour at the Perch, we met some friends from our Tiko Tiko cruise and it really rained. Early afternoon, and back to the room early. We then headed to dinner in Simpson Bay. We tried to hook up with Neil on the Celine for the Pub Crawl but no one was there. So we ate at Skipjacks and had a great meal. Stuffed grouper, blackened grouper, soup, drinks, $78.00, tip not included.

Saturday Aug 2

Cloudy and scattered rain this morning. We went to the market in Marigot, the weather was better over there. We then went to Phillipsburg, and back to Rimas. No cruise ship today so it was very quiet. We picked up a couple shirts and a nice handmade table cloth with seahorses on it for JoAnn.

Missed Happy hour but we went to the beach anyway. Again more showers on and off, early day.

Spigas again for dinner, I had their meat ravioli, was wonderful as before, JoAnn, Lobster with a pasta sauce. She enjoyed it, took half of it home. $90.00 with drinks and 2 appetizers. Very reasonable, service was better than the last time, as they were not as busy.

Sunday

Finally another beach day. Club O this morning by 9AM. Perfect weather, breezy, some clouds but overall a perfect day. Happy hour at the Perch, Dinner at The Rib Shack, Joann had snapper, I had shrimp with 2 sides, cole slaw and potato salad. All very good, $25.00

Monday

Another glorious day. We hit the beach early, grabbed our Packlight chairs and umbrella down to Club O. Sparse crowd this morning and short line for Happy Hour. We did meet some friends there, and introduced them to TTOL. Stayed most of the day, as the wind died down and it was very nice. I guess no cruise ships today as traffic on the beach was very light. Saw one sign at Club O “RUM FOR CLOTHES” we’ll see how that goes by Thursday or Friday. Those Club O people, they’re are always trying to convert everyone! Monday dinner was to be Lady C ribs, but they were closed until Sept. 15, so we went on over to Pineapple Pete’s. We had a great dinner there. Entertainment , great service, I had 14 oz rib eye, her stuffed shrimp.

Tuesday

Another partly cloudy day at Orient. Enjoyed the beach, went to Baywatch for lunch with friends. Andy was friendly as ever and Cheryl was happy to see us and we had a warm greeting from both of them. We shared Margarita Buffalo Shrimp, I had a burger, Wendi enjoyed a chili cheese dog, and Joann had Eggplant parmesan, she had to take half home. $20.00 each with drinks.

Tuesday evening we had our TTOL party at Buccaneer Beach Bar. Myself, JoAnn, Wendi , Barry, Cheryl, Mary and Paul were the only ones to make it. We had a lot of promises, but other plans prevailed. We had a very nice time, thankful when the sun set and it cooled off a bit.

Wend say

Another day like we have had before, a bit windy on Orient but great sun and surf. Couldn’t resist, and had to hit Baywatch for lunch again. Joann did the Buffalo shrimp, I had to have the eggplant parm. Wonderful as it was the day before.
We returned to Simpson Bay in the evening, for the Pub Crawl aboard the Celine. Neil was our captain, and Nikki was our hostess. $75.00 per person. Good thing we went tonight, as Nikki was leaving in a day or so to crew on a mega yacht for several weeks. About 20 partygoers showed up and we headed out to Peg Leg Pub. It was a wonderful warm night on Simpson Lagoon. Peg Leg is now located at the Princess Casino across the pond. Our arrival was announced by the band Cover to Cover and our host was anxious to seat us. We had steak tips garlic bread and swordfish. We spent some time there had a drink, Joann enticed the crew to dance with her to the Elvis set and then we were on our way. Our second stop was Jos Steakhouse, out near the airport. We had sushi, and bouillabaisse soup, this not being my favorite but enjoyed it none the less. Some people were not to happy with, the seafood, but both were very good. . From there we returned to Skipjacks and had some buffalo wings and stuffed crab. Both excellent. We had drinks on the boat, and complimentary drinks at each stop, got back to Skipjacks around 11:00 pm.Neil’s a great talker and if you have never met him, his stories are great to listen too. We stayed longer than some did, but he had a long day coming up on Thursday. Long day for us too, we headed home and got in around midnight.

Thursday.

Thursday was a wonderful beach day. Although windy. We arrived early, set up, and rented one of the Club O umbrellas. We sat with some friends and made some new ones. It was their first Club O experience. We did happy hour again and stayed late on the beach.
We met some other friends at Spicy later that evening. Sophie was great to us. It was our first time there, but it wont be our last. Prices are one-to-one and right now she offers a $49.00 special. Appetizer, main course and dessert. It was wonderful. All four of us enjoyed dinner and each other’s company. We spent about 2 hours and Sophie treated us like family.

Friday

Oh crap! This was our last full day so we made the most of it by doing nothing. We sat at Club O and finished off the day at our favorite spot, Spigas.

Saturday

We walked on the beach early, said goodbye to Andy at Baywatch and headed to the airport. We checked our bags grabbed a cab and headed to the Driftwood Boat bar at the end of the airport. They were working on SSBB but looked like it was several weeks from opening, especially if you go by island time.. We sat and watched the planes takeoff and land. We did get a tip from another traveler there, he suggested we take the bus. One came along through the circle, we hopped on board and the trip back was only $2.00. Nice savings over a cab ride. When we got to Princess Julianna, we went to the Plantation Restaurant Bar and Grill. Pretty good for airport food. We both had burger platters and drinks and the bill was less than Kalli’s Beach bar. The food was way better also.
Our AA flight to Miami was packed full, and we left early again. We arrived on time, but other flights there had been delayed up to 2 hours so baggage pickup and customs was jammed. After some confusion we got our bags retrieved our car at CBM and headed home.
Sadly it was time to return to our real world and start making plans for next year.



Last thoughts

I love this place, and I am on guard most of the time, but you can still become a victim if you are targeted, and there is now way around it. Tourists here are easy prey for Americans as they are all over the world. They know we have money or we wouldn’t be here. They know we are not armed,. They spot us a mile away, and sometimes we are so involved with ourselves and our vacation, we fail to take the proper precautions to avoid incident. I am in no way saying Bruce and Kim didn’t take the proper precautions, He locked his villa and went to Baywatch in the middle of the day. maybe he was being watched, waiting for him to leave, maybe the perp thought the place was empty, what ever, I thank God she wasn’t hurt more than she was and I wish her a speedy recovery. I hope they will overlook this and return again.

Books read

Cadillac Beach, Tim Dorsey. The last Juror, John Grisham, Night Fall, Nelson Demille. The Sanctuary, Raymond Khoury

Here is link to slideshow
http://cmd.shutterfly.com/commands/pictu...6&album=184