Apologies if this is too long; it's my first trip report posted here.

I spent three glorious weeks at Divi in June and have determined that after three weeks, I’m ready to come home. After only two, I’m not!

The activities director (Jose) at Divi is terrific, and the morning water aerobics classes were excellent—better than in prior years. Divi is still rebuilding its beach bar that was destroyed by Hurricane Omar, but all other repairs have been completed. Snorkeling didn’t seem as good this year as in prior years, another possible result of Omar.

During my stay I had occasion to need medical facilities as a result of a cat bite that became infected. I went to emergency at St. Maarten Medical Center on Welgelegen Road in Cay Hill. After completing a one-page form that pertained more to locals than US citizens, I was promptly admitted. Service was extremely attentive: I saw a doctor twice during my 1½-hour visit, and a nurse was frequently in attendance. I was given two shots and an antibiotic via IV; oral and topical meds were also prescribed. I don’t know what this kind of visit would cost in the US but some have suggested between $1-2,000. I was shocked at my bill, which was only USD $100! I was extremely impressed with both the service and more-than-reasonable cost. A big thumbs up to SMMC.

We had only one negative experience. One afternoon we were shopping in the open market in Philipsburg and heard some crashing noises. Upon investigation, we saw two vendors literally beating each other with the poles (with hooks at the ends) they use to lift hangers up and down from the tops of their booths. I don’t know what started it, but one woman was quite bloody, to the point other vendors were removing their clothing items to prevent stains. I called 911 (police station is about a block away), and officers were already arriving while I was still on the phone. Others joined them. It seemed that the officers let the violence continue for longer than I would have expected in the states, but eventually one of the women was hauled off in a police car and the other was taken away in an ambulance. One vendor muttered to me “Dominica on Dominica.” I’ve never witnessed violence first hand before, and the disturbing images stayed with me for a few days. At no time during our visit did we feel unsafe, however.

The construction of the roundabout at the bottom of Cole Hill is proceeding, and a change in traffic pattern occurred during our stay. This has been reported elsewhere, but for about the last week of our stay, you could no longer turn west onto Welfare Road. You have to turn east and navigate a detour through back roads before you get back onto Welfare Road. The detour seemed quite long the first time around, but we got used to it. There was one day of absolutely horrible traffic, and others commented about excessive amounts of time required to travel Airport/Welfare Road. It seemed to result from night construction on the roundabout (prior to the change in traffic pattern) that allowed only one lane of traffic at a time, similar to the Simpson Bay Bridge. But mostly the traffic was just annoying.

There’s a vendor that I’d like to specifically mention. For a few years now, I’ve been making purchases at the Marigot open air market from Christine, who sells linens from Provence. We didn’t see her in trips to the market this year so started asking around. Turns out she’s in France attending to two ill parents. She has a business partner, Patricia, who is running their store front, Les Tissus Du Soleil, in a strip mall in Sandy Ground, across from the arboretum. For anyone looking for linens with the sunny colors of Provence, I highly recommend a visit to this shop. They sell various sizes of table cloths, place mats, napkins, bread baskets, and numerous other products. An added bonus is that the table cloths are Teflon-coated so just a wipe is all that’s needed to clean them off; they stand up well after numerous machine washings as well. Patricia told us that during one recent week in May, no one came in to the shop for an entire week. I would hate to see this business fold because the products are excellent.

I reported in a separate thread (anonymously) about La Petite Auberge. It’s a really good and relatively inexpensive restaurant which I’ve gone to every time I’ve been in SXM. Several restaurants in the Marina have closed; there were a lot of “for lease” signs in the area.

The shops on Hope Hill have been rebuilt after Omar, as has the restaurant/bar, although the bar is for lease and is not open at this time. Bernadeen (next to vacant bar) sells spices, rums, and drinks and is involved in animal rescue efforts. We dropped by her booth several times during our visit for coladas and spices.

We had many excellent meals, as follows:
• Lunch at Kangaroo Court, next to court house in Philipsburg. New owner (as of April), Muriel, recommended sesame chicken salad, and I was not disappointed. Kangaroo Court is no longer under the same ownership as Taloula Mango’s.
• Delightful waiter at The Stone. Enjoyed the experience of stone cooking; food delicious.
• Nice setting at Saratoga; enjoyed looking at the yachts. Business very slow the night we were there, but again, excellent food.
• Had a wonderful duck salad at Bikini Beach Bar on Orient Beach. Ate at Mr. Busby’s as well, but had a very bad case of the runs shortly after finishing my meal so we didn’t return.
• Fusion on Front Street in Pburg provides a spectacular setting at sunset; took several pictures of pink clouds against blue sky with sun setting in the background. Again, wonderful food; a plus is free parking across the street.
• Antoine’s on Front Street provides valet parking. Terrific meal; business very slow there, as it was at many places across the island.
• Wonderful dinner at Three Palms in Simpson Bay and a nice chat with the owner, who is from Canada.
• We forgot La Gondola was closed so headed to Rare / Temptation. We were greeted outside by the owner of both, Jack, who asked which restaurant we wanted. We didn’t know so he invited us in to see menus for both; we decided to stay at Rare. It’s a steak house with some seafood items as well; Jack’s son is the executive chef for both restaurants. Jack is the most gracious host I’ve ever encountered – anywhere. He visited with us several times throughout the evening to ensure we were being taken care of. It was an expensive dinner but well worth it for the food quality and lovely ambience. As we were leaving, we were talking with some folks who ate at Temptation, and they were as impressed with their meal as we were with ours.

All in all, a grand trip, and I can’t wait to return.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />