St Maarten trip report 7/11-7/23

7/11

We flew out of Cleveland connecting through Charlotte without an issue. Met Kenny at the airport got the same car we had last year because it had the same license plate, R-2. Did market garden shopping checked in at Flamingo. We got a room on the top floor which was really cool. It was amazing to see all the maintenance and renovation that was going on. There were maintenance people everywhere. We also noticed that the island surprisingly busy for mid-July. We went to Paanlan for dinner and it was outstanding as usual.

7/12

Club O. It was an overcast day but no rain. We went to Pedros for lunch. Selfie!


On the way home we stopped at BBB for a couple of rum punches.



On our way to dinner, we Stopped at the Crazy Cow, now called the Crazy Rainbow. We had a nice time talking with the bartender, Peter, who is also one of the owners. The menu has changed to a specialty burger joint. It all looked good. Off to FIG. This was our first time there. Dinner was amazing. I could never find a menu on-line so I took a picture of it.



7/13

Club O. We had lunch at Kakao for a pizza now that Orange Fever is gone. It was fabulous. On the way home we stopped at SMYC for a couple of rum punches. We attempted to go to Vesna Taverna or Bavaria but both were closed. Went to Cugini. It was very good, but nowhere as near as good when we went to location in Marigot Marina. Sunset and dusk at the Flamingo.





7/14

Club O. There were a couple showers early on then beautiful bright sunshine. Pedros was closed so we tried Papagayo for the first time. We were pleasantly surprised. It was awesome. Dread I was walking around selling his wares so we bought a CD. We have been playing it in the car. Pretty darn good reggae. We stopped at BBB again for a couple rum punches. This time they were not so great. They were setting up for the Diamond Resorts VIP reception if you know what I mean. We got the hell out of dodge. Off to Le Moulin Fou for dinner for the first time ever. It was fabulous.



7/15

Club O. Stopped at Top Carrot along the way for some green juice. Incidently, their food (breakfast and lunch) looks very good there, but we didn’t have a chance to try it. We noticed a new place next door called Pizza Italy. We never had the opportunity to try it because it was only open in the evening. Curious if anyone else has and what you thought.





Beautiful day day at the beach. Witnessed a little confrontation at the beach. There were a couple of guys taking pictures from the water. Security called them out and the guy explained that the camera doesn't work. Whatever. He sent them away. Lunch was Pedros and dinner leftovers. Went home the long way and stopped at driftwood for a rum punch. Still the best on the island. We have 3 dinners left and 5 new places we want to try (Little Jerusalem, Vesna Taverna, Canoa, Avantiki and Bavaria). We chose Vesna Taverna. It was very good and the prices are very reasonable but it's not at the top of our list for that type of food.

7/16

Thought about going to Mullet because of possible rain and strong winds on Orient, but went to Club O anyway. Stopped at top carrot along the way for green juice. We ate pizza again at Kakao for lunch. On the way home we smoke up on one of the mountains. Not sure what it is.



Dinner choice was Avantiki. Incredible Thai food, however, based on what I had I still like Paanlan better. Based on what Beth had she now likes Avantiki better. In any event, you can't go wrong at either place.

7/17

Last day. Club O here we come. It was a great sunny day with much less wind. We ate lunch at Papagyo again and it was wonderful. I'm not sure we waited so long to eat there. We stopped at SMYC for a rum punch and ran into the same guy we ran into a year ago to the day. Too funny. Initially we planned to go to Canoa for dinner but at the last minute decided to try Little Jerusalem. No regrets there. Absolutely fabulous food not to mention starting off with a couple of chilled Fireballs!



7/18

Checked out of the Flamingo and stored our luggage. Then ate breakfast at Topper's by the Sea. It was quite good. After that we hung out at the pool till it was time to leave for the airport. In 8 years, it’s actually the first time we went in the pool. Beth was having fun with the bartender.

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That's where the fun begins. Since this was our 10 year anniversary, we decided to add on 5 days in St. Lucia. We got to the airport at 1:00 for our 3:30 flight. 5 minutes before our flight on LIAT was supposed to take off we were told that the plane was broken down in Caracao and they would give us an update in 2 hours. Needless to say, our connecting flight in Antigua is now history. Long story short, we leave St. Maarten at 9:30 PM. They put us up and the Royal Antiguan Beach Resort and provide dinner. I’m pretty sure it’s the only business this particular resort gets. Beth's suitcase never made it. So we got to experience Luggage In Another Town AND Leave Island Any Time all in one trip! We sleep 3 hours and get on a 5:30 AM flight to St. Lucia. Goodbye Antigua.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to write your report. Your pictures are fabulous! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> The menu from Fig will definitely get me to dine there next February. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Hey, thanks so much for both reports! Great pictures! I put the St. Lucia part of the report in the Southern Caribbean forum.

Thanks for the report. What all were they doing at FLamingo and where is FIG located
Thanks

Thanks for the nice report. Looks as though the island still hasn't gotten enough rain; looks very dry in the picture of the smoke on the hill. Going to read your St. Lucia report now.

Are you Talking about Crazy Cow near the airport? Hamburgers?

It looked like they were completely re-doing some of the rooms. They were painting everything and it appeared that they were replacing a lot of the exterior concrete walls with brick. It looked awesome. There were people every where doing stuff. Very nice to see. Fig is where the old Cupecoy deli used to be across from Rainbow beach club (I think). It was one of the best places we ate in SXM.

Yes. It's now called the crazy rainbow and it's right next to the Iguana something. They have a gourmet burger menu.

Very nice trip report and like you, we've always been very pleased with both the food and service at Fig, not to mention the pleasant staff.

Nice report & loved the pictures. We're fans of the Flamingo also - do you know what they all were working on so diligently?

Nice report. Appreciate the pics. Sept. will mark our first stay on the Island (Orient Beach). We have spent a few hours there via cruise excursions.

Enjoyed your pics and report. Thanks for the menu for Crazy Cow/Rainbow.

I know they are replacing all the vacuum toilets with conventional ones except for the bottom floor units in building 7.

Happy anniversary (!) and thanks for the nice TR and pictures. You picked some great places to eat - I'm glad you enjoyed Papagayo so much.

Nice report! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

What he might be seeing is the remodeling of the M and F buildings at Simpson Bay Resort.

Great report! Love the pics! What is in the green juice at Top Carrot? Never been there and it might be right up my alley for breakfast!

Loved reading your report and the pictures were great. Thanks for taking the time to post it.

Top Carrot has all sorts of concoctions that they make fresh. You can even tell them what you want. We juice at home so it's a nice thing to have. We tried a few different ones and they were all good.

Love your trip report and love the pictures! Thanks including the menu ! Congrats on your 10 year. We will be celebrating or 13th in Saint Maarten in September. Our 2nd trip there.! Would love to hear about your time on St. Lucia. If you posted on that forum , let me know , otherwise private message me. We spent our 8 year anniversary there, Fav w BVIs so far. 6th was on Antigua. P. S. what was the name of the CD or the guy he bought it from! We love reggae !

Nice report. When you go to club o which way do you go to get there?