SEPTEMBER 2003 TRIP REPORT
My wonderful trip actually began the night before leaving, when I received a telephone call from Cheryl of Baywatch who was concerned that the Hurricane was hitting the States and worried that we would encounter difficulty with our flight and wished us well on our flight!!! How sweet was that??? That’s REAL folks!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> Met Eva & John at the airport in Boston!! Didn’t recognize Eva who was so beautifully attired……usually see her on OB. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" />
Arrived on the 18th of September with daughter, Lauren and her step-mother-inlaw, Ally………Hot Tomatoes for their fantastic appetizers! Had pumpkin fritters for the first time…..yummy!! Stopped at CellularOne to have phone programmed……easy…..$10.00 for program and $20.00 for phone card. This worked very well. $20.00 = 20 units (?). $1.00 connex charge to the States + .65 cents per minute ……this was a heck of a lot better than using ECC in the past! No hassle with billing………bought a bunch of phone cards and programmed them in all at once so no problem with running out of calling time! I’ll use this method in the future!
Also, went to Mailboxes for Internet connex……they have a ‘ Happy Hour ‘ special which is from
4-7pm for $2.75 for ½ hour! A real bargain!! Went to Ram’s for some staple shopping ( no we don’t eat staples!) and off to Alizea to settle in! Had an early dinner at Le Fish Bar ( in Village d’Orient)……..first time I’ve been disappointed in Le Fish Bar. Lauren & Ally had the Grouper and it was awful…(it smelled fishy and tasted even worse) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" />……..I had the Chicken in Lime/Cream sauce and it was great! The ladies sent the Grouper back and ordered the Chicken and loved it!! They serve a side of potato croquette-style with raisins which is fantastic…..give it a try! But the fish should have been fresh. Perhaps it was frozen due to the lack of customers!
Hit Orient early the next morning…..was surprised at the small number of people on the beach . Anticipated our lunch at Baywatch for Andy’s fantastic Mussels……and we weren’t disappointed in the least!!! And of course, we had to munch on some Shrimp Margarita Buffalo-style, too!! What pigs!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Oink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Oink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Oink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Oink.gif" alt="" /> But………..oooooooooooo so good!
Stopped in Orientique to get some Etna Rum Raisin ice cream for the ride home!! Yummy!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> After a long, hot day in the sun……we decided to have L’Petit Cul D’Sac Pizzeria deliver Four Cheese pizza and stay home…..and it was delicious!!! And it’s a good thing I called because they were closing the next day for 3 weeks…..they’ll re-open mid-Oct.
Next day Orient seemed to be filling up a bit more…..plus, a few cruise ships to add to the population. Kind of fun to watch first-timers on Orient…….I wonder what the folks back home would say!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> Dined at Le Belle Epoque at Marina Royale and guess who joined us???? Our very own BRIAN LE BLANC!!! Can you imagine my surprise when I saw him coming down the driveway at Alizea looking for me?? Sooooooo we invited him to join us and I must say…..he is a real doll! He’s so Angelic looking that I’m sure that the devil himself must lurk inside him!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Devil.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Devil.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> He’s working at Café Pasta which is in Simpson Bay…..look him up when you go there……a face from home is always welcomed!!!
Girlfriend, LeeLee arrived and met up on the beach…..also, Lou, Karen, Marie & Kenny from PA…..saw BamBam & the lovely Barb, Moss & Carol, Jumbo & Deb and John & Eva on the beach!! (I easily recognized her, this time!) Of course, had lunch at Baywatch ( I’m turning into a Baywatch addict…..do they have a clinic for this ?) Had Shrimp Margarita AGAIN!! Yup, I’m an addict alright.…..but am not giving it up! Well…..you’re getting the picture that we’re completely pigging out at Baywatch……and loving every minute of it!!
Went to Mamma Mia’s in Maho……delicious Chicken with artichokes/mushrooms in a fantastic creamy sauce…….very yummy! Go and say ‘ hi ‘ to Stephania & Peppe….you’ll be glad you did!! Give my regards!! Also, dined at Boathouse…. Excellent!! More to follow! ALSO…..mustn’t forget to tell you about Jimmy the waiter…….Lauren wanted a Malibu & pineapple juice…..but, they didn’t have any coconut flavored rum. Jokingly, I mentioned that there’s a store down the street that must have some rum………5 minutes later, we notice Jimmy the waiter, running into the Boathouse, soaking wet because it was raining….and in his hand was a bottle of Malibu Rum! How’s that for service? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
We discovered a new local restaurant that is wonderful!! Au Grain d’Sel on French
Cul de Sac right next to the grocery store on the left!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> We were told of this restaurant by a friend who lives in St.Martin and BOY was he right on target! As we walked into the restaurant we were met by Annabel who’s parents formerly owned L’Pet’t Cul d’Sac Pizzeria! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />! They now own Au Grain d’Sel!!! The pizza is absolutely the BEST I’ve ever had…….wood stove…..thin crusted…lots of flavor…4 cheese and wonderful!! We also had a goat cheese salad, which was very different……lettuce w/blue cheese dressing ( yummy!) and deep-fried goat cheese and large croutons on top! Fantastic!!! Is a MUST try!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
Ok…OK…..this has the beginnings of a very long saga ( <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" />) which is what I’m trying to avoid……I’ll try to simplify……but forgive me if I interject occasionally……..it’s the nature of my Beast! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
WHERE WE DINED:
(Which I’ll rate by **** for overall experience!)
LE BELLE EPOQUE ***…..excellent as usual…..everyone enjoyed immensely……can't remember what I had <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />….I don’t take notes, but it must have been good or you’d know about it!
AU GRAIN D’SEL ****……FANTASTIQUE!! Had pizza but they also have many entrees….which looked great ( and came highly recommended by a French friend who has a discriminating palate!) and VERY reasonable!! A real find!!
MAMMA MIA ***……always enjoy my dinners there…..Stephania is eager to please and will accommodate anyone. I love the Chicken w/artichokes & mushrooms in her special sauce…yummy!!!
TUTTA PASTA***……I love that place!! I especially like the fact that they’ll let you choose 2 pasta varieties! I had a Shrimp w/vodka cream sauce & Shells w/peas in an Alfredo sauce that was like Nonnie used to make!! Very, very good!! I loved the variety!! And Patricia was her lovely, efficient self..she was training a new girl who was as adorable as they come!! Service was great…..Warren was the usual Charmer J. Leon wasn’t there…..he’s exploring new avenues ( he’s young…..he’ll get over it! Heheh) but he is sorely missed by everyone! Come back, Leon!!!
BOATHOUSE ** ½ ……coconut shrimp for apps…..beer-battered shrimp for entrée w/awesome rice! And lest we forget Jimmy the waiter and his awesome customer service!!! He gets **** !
HOT TOMATOES ** ½ ….…Had a Mango Martini…..could really get into those babies!!! Grouper was ok…..they’re were experimenting on me with a new trial menu….it was good but needs a little spicing up ( I did tell Brad….I hope he’s listening) Then Brad sent out his new special Banana Split Dessert!! OMG!! The hugest dish I’ve ever seen with fried bananas/ice cream/choc. Sauce dribbled…….oh so wonderful! A MUST try!! Brad gets ***** for his hospitality style!! He’s very attentive and appears genuinely interested in opinions! Met up with Bulldog…..he sat with us for a while. Awesome!! Life is good!!!
LE FISH BAR**……my chicken w/ lime/cream sauce was very good….but the grouper that night wasn’t up to usual standards! Try the Quincy Chardonnay…..awesome for $15.00 a bottle!! Such a deal!! And, for you wine snobs……it wasn’t vinegar!!! It was really excellent. I always order it……see, I can be a cheap date!!! Hehehe
BISTROT CARAIBES **** What can I say?? Besides the exemplary service from Thibault (he the older and comes first J ) and Amaury……the food is FANTASTIQUE!!! The stuffed chicken w/mushroom risotto…….makes ya wanna smack ya mamma!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> I’ve tried to copy it at home but it just isn’t the same!! WONDERFUL, comes to mind. Lauren had the Shrimp & Scallops……My friend, Flora had the Rack of Lamb which she said was great! And her husband, Jim, had Carpaccio for an appetizer, which for all you novices is RAW beef very thinly sliced. Lauren and I also shared an appetizer of smoked duck in a pastry….wonderful!! Of course, we shared Crème Brulee
( World’s finest!) and the chocolate cake/pudding thingy w/homemade hazelnut ice cream………whoa baby!!! ( Actually was there earlier in the week for just dessert and company! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> )
COTE PLAGE ****…..a real FIND…..located waaaaaay in the back of Les Villages d’Orient near the Alamanda Hotel! Marco ( previously w/Kontiki) owner/operator. Cuisine is upscale and fantastic! And the service just as fine. A little pricy…..but not a rip off!! Ample portions…..which isn’t always the case with finer dining! A Must try!!
BAYWATCH ********** off the Charts! The lunches are AWESOME and always a pleasure to see Cheryl ( yeah, yeah, Andy too! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />) with the warmth she oozes…..she’s a real love! And that Big Boy…….sure knows how to sling hash!!! Can beat the pants off some of the more fancy-schmanzy places!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/chef.gif" alt="" /> Besides our daily Shrimp Margarita.... I had the grouper sandwich which was great…..a special spicy seasoning on the grouper….nothing bland about that!! Also, the fisherman’s platter is huge which we shared!! Shrimp/scallops ( scollops not scallups) and wonderful, flakey Cod… Andy also tossed in a few Calamari ( you must ask). Very, very Good!! Also had another TTOL Pahty there …….Bambam & Ms.Barb, Eva & John, Blueboy & Lorraine, Lynette & James, Mike & Gail, LeeLee & Lauren, forgive me for whomever I forgot…….sometimers setting in!
PAPAGAYO **……had breakfast a few times there and the eggs benedict weren’t bad! Not great…..but good. The vegetable omelette was huge but waaaay too many peppers for my liking…they were overwhelming! Service was great when we got Willy but there’s another young French girl who was a bit on the slow side. But, hey, with a view like that……what’s the rush?
RIC’S * ½ …..Stopped in for snacks one day…..poppers/nachos….just ok! Nothing special……
PEG LEG PUB***……would give 4* if Sean was there but it was lunchtime and he works evenings. However, I did speak with him on the phone and he’s the same charming, Sean!! We had the appetizer sampler (mozzarella sticks/potato skins/deep fried mushrooms) and coconut shrimp for lunch and it was excellent! Nice to see Linda & Jack, again! They have a new ‘adult’ tee-shirt selection……don’t miss! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" />
BUCCANEER BEACH BAR**** of course!! Neil is the consummate Host!!! Had our TTOL Pahty there with approx. 30 attendees!! Bulldog showed up and really added to the fun!! Met up with many new people including ‘ Steven Spielberg’ ! We met a family from Belgium and they were in awe of how friendly we Americans <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/usflag.gif" alt="" /> were. The mother said that most Belgians perceive Americans to be cold and without humor!.....can you imagine? Was happy to change that perception!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> BamBam had some tee-shirts made up for us which were great ( turquoise w/SXM 2003 printed on)…..a very nice gesture!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" /> again, Tom and the ever so lovely, Ms. Barbara!!
OBSERVATIONS:
= Island very, very dry!! Orient is slowly gaining some more sand. More than I saw in April. Area in front of Papagayo’s still needing sand….only one row of lounges for several yards! But at the other end of the beach, near Baywatch etc. they’ve gained beach……but a storm is needed ( not a big one) to get more sand back! And not to mention add some moisture to the land and vegetation!
=Noticed more cruisers doing the ‘ sans clothing’ thing! Some still stand and gawk!! What’s with that? We had to speak to some people ( who pretended they didn’t understand) and shoo them away! Nasty! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" />
=Also, noticed that on the Sundays…..more locals, which is fine afterall, it’s their beach……but observed more poorly behaved children! Had to speak to a few several times who were throwing sand at one another…..catching sun-bathers in the crossfire……but after 3 times they stopped!! HELLO!! 3x!!! And parents, seemingly oblivious to this!!
=More restaurants were closed than I’ve ever seen…..not just Grand Case but on the Dutch side, too! Sept. is always a slow month, but this was a dead month! Will take many good months to re-coup!
=The Mailbox at Palapa Center, Simpson Bay area, was another great find. I was amazed at how busy this place was…..they offer secretarial services ( ya never know) as well as the Internet which btw is very reasonable @ $2.75 Happy Hour Special from 4-7 and $5.00 per ½ reg. Rate. I met a nice lady from Nevis who was doing some legal research for her husband who is also a lawyer…..we compared ‘notes’!! And they were almost identical!!! We laughed about how far apart we can live but how similar our lives can be… <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Mailboxes hours: M-F 8-8…..S&S 9-5….very convenient!
DISAPPOINTMENTS:
=Couldn’t find any wonderful croissants!! What’s going on?? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" />Went to Il Flottant in GC and the other little market on the Blvd……fair….Tap Five….fair……Le Boulangarie on Rue d’ Mont Vernon……dry…..Sucriere on the Waterfront in Marigot…..fair……L’Orientique……dry! Was so very disappointing <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />
Didn’t go over to Simpson Bay…..too far for breakfast.
= The Marina was shut tightly for breakfast…….as well as many restaurants being closed for dinner. Really missed Le Croissantrie for my favorite crepes…….
YIKES: <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />
=Saw my first Barracuda on Orient….approx. 3 feet long….as I was walking into the water one morning…….right in front of my feet….just swimming leisurely along YIKES! I took off like a bat out of Hell!!! Holy (*&^ right before my very eyes. But, the beach guys assured me that they’re harmless. They were young and wouldn’t bother you unless you bothered them. Geez……being nude or topless around a Barracuda could be challenging! Hehehe Only saw it once……..guess I scared that sucker away!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />
HIGHLIGHT OF TRIP:
BEING ON THE RUDE AWAKENING SHOW…..LASER 101.1 FM WITH BULLDOG!!! ..... on Friday, Sept.26th we were invited to be on Bulldog’s show with LeeLee!! Bulldog made my daughter, Lauren, the Weather Girl! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />She was a bit shy but enjoyed the experience after a while.( Bulldog asked me if she was my biological daughter because she was shy! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> What did he mean by that?? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />) We had a blast! ReRun and Homeless Joe were great!! Bulldog is out of his mind!!! ( Bulldog, I mean that lovingly!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />) Bulldog is the consummate professional and sure knows his craft! I was amazed at the number of TTOL family members that called in to speak to me! It was awesome!! Am looking forward to a repeat performance in January!! Hey, this could be a new career for me!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />
WEATHER:
=AWESOME! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Umbrella.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Umbrella.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />
A good time was had by all!!! Life Sure Is GREAT!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Love.gif" alt="" /> Contessa
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