This was our 2nd trip, and we had just a great time on the island. Our first time wasn’t the best because of a few factors, 1. Getting robbed 2. Sister in law from hell along. 3. Got stuck in San Jaun because the runway lights didn’t work and I paid way to much money for a box of a room for the night. (Although it was better then hearing my wife complain)
On to this trip. We flew out of Omaha to Chicago, to Miami, to St. Maarten on American. Only problems were in Miami, we got delayed by 2 hours, but at least we got to the island the day we had planned. My brother met us at the door and we dropped off our stuff at his place. He is a medical student on the island so we get to say with him and use his car and phone for free while down there. His wife was back visiting family so we had it planned out just perfect. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> After dropping stuff off we made a stop at Bada Bing for some beers and dancing. Alex knows a few of the workers there as he lives close to it. My wife and I also enjoy those places. After having some fun there we were starving and we went into Simpson Bay to eat. Alex took us to the only 24-7 place he knows of, the name slips me, but I know if was on the south side of the road past the draw bridge. He said it just opened. Food was okay, service wasn’t the best, but for 2am when you deal with drunken people it was okay.
Next day we had a trip on the Tiko Tiko planned. Alex drove us up to Club O from his place in Simpson. Got to the spot checked in, and went down to the beach to wait. We took some pictures while waiting and my wife got her favorite picture of the trip. She posed on the beach in front of the Tiko Tiko. We are not nudist, but are open minded and comfortable around such. Wife got somewhat sea sick on the ride over; it was rather rough that morning. Once there, the other boats must have been waiting for our boat because the cameras came out to take pictures of the nudies. Wife and I kept our suits on most of the day till the end for the mud bath, she didn’t want to stain her new expensive suit and I mine. We enjoyed the all inclusiveness of the trip. The booze was great, the food was even better and the company was friendly. Met some really nice people on the trip that day. Wife and I explored the island a bit and found a spot to get some more pictures and have fun… Went snorkeling on Tintimarre and saw plenty of fish. My wife is very new to that activity and was scared of how the schools of fish would come up to us. Next time I’m going to bring something to feed them. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> We did the mud bath with everyone and let it bake on. The way home was calm. We met back with Alex on the beach and headed for home. I don’t remember all that much on the way home, I was still a bit tipsy from drinking all day. Got to his place and I remember having a hang over at 9pm. Pretty sure we just went to bed that night…
Next morning we got up and went to the French bakery in Simpson on the north side of the road. Always great food there. After that we went into Phillipsburg for some shopping. Alex told us of Rema and we made a stop there and got everything we were looking for. We then walked Front and Back, stopped at a few bars and walked the beach. Got my license plates I missed last year. I collect signs and plates and had to have them. Ran into a couple from the cruise the day before and talked with them a bit before heading to Maho for the afternoon. Sat at Driftwood bar for a bit but had trouble getting served so we took our beer and went to Sunset. Ate some food and drank some beers while the planes came in. This is my favorite location on the whole island, love watching the planes. As we left we ran into the couple again, is this a small island or what??? Went back to Alex’s place right on Simpson beach and laid out the rest of the afternoon taking some photos and playing in the surf. That night we ate at “The Stone”. Very good place, was a bit smaller then we thought it would be, but very good food! After eating we grabbed Alex for some more late night stuff. Went to Golden Eyes first, then to the Platinum Room, then to Bliss and Sunset, ate at McDonald’s at 4am, and off to bed.
Next day we took the Rhino Riders tour. We were both very disappointed with the tour. The boats were breaking down the whole ride. The boats are very rough on the water, very unforgiving on the waves. I have a jet ski at home and I couldn’t believe how rough these things were. They took us up to Happy Bay and we snorkeled there for 40 minutes. Very poor location for snorkeling! Way home the boats kept breaking down and rough. The 2 and a half hour trip I think we spent 45 minutes waiting on boat repairs. So they must have this built in to the trip. That afternoon we went to Maho to eat at Cherie’s I believe. Good food and service wasn’t bad. Laid out on Simpson beach the rest of the day. That night we grabbed Alex’s friend Inna and we all went to Fort Lewis for pictures. Then on to Grand Case for supper. Loved the Lolo’s again this year. Good food and value. After that we took Inna with us to Sunset while Alex went back to study. So I had two blonds on my arm the whole night. A couple of French guys kept buying us drinks trying to get me to let my ladies dance with them. I know who my wife is leaving with and she likes to dance so it all worked out! Finally at about 3am we left and headed back to Alex’s to get some sleep before our flights the next morning. Only thing I didn’t care for at Sunset was how the bartender kept getting on the microphone talking about topless girls drink free. He was on there about every minute. My wife walked up to the bar showed the goods and he said she had to stay at the bar, and not dance, she said to f off and paid for her drink and went back to dancing.
Flights home went great, well as good as they can when you got a hang over… Got home to 4 inches of new snow. Stopped at my parents got the kids and I was back to seeing patients the next day. The trip was short, we only had someone to watch our young kids for 5 days and that gave us 3 days on the island. We went like crazy the whole time there and had a blast this trip!
Last night my wife asked me while watching TV when we can go again. I said anytime, and she grabbed the laptop to start looking. We love St. Maarten; we have made a lot of memories there already and plan to do more… Next winter we are going to try the Cancun area. But I think this summer we are heading back to St. Maarten!!! Gotta get more stamps in our passports!!!
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