TRIP REPORT, June 8-July 14, 2023 – Travel and Lodging

Travel

I left Portland around 10:00 p.m. for a redeye to Charlotte. The layover in Charlotte was a couple of hours, which I spent in the Admirals Club having breakfast and changing into lighter-weight clothing. Arrival in SXM was on time around 1:15 p.m., and the Hertz van was waiting to take a group of us to their office. Fortunately, I was first in line at their counter. When I made the reservation many months prior, they quoted me a sedan saying they didn’t have economy cars in their fleet, which is what I had requested. I questioned the counter clerk, who said they did have economy cars. He adjusted the quote downward, and I got a black Toyota Agya with fewer than 20,000 miles. Since I am staying longer than 30 days, Hertz provides two separate contracts: one for four weeks and the other for the remaining time.

Going home wasn’t nearly as smooth. Due to weather elsewhere, the plane was 1½ hours late leaving SXM. This made me nervous as I had a 2½-hour time frame in MIA. I’ve heard folks say AA doesn’t hold flights, but they sure did this time, although we didn’t know it until we got to the gate. I had wheelchair assistance for this leg and the gal was constantly checking her iPad regarding departure time. She clearly didn’t think we were going to make it. When we got to the gate, there weren’t any people in the waiting area so we thought the plane had taken off. Then we noticed folks at the counter and the open door. Whew! I was not the last passenger to board as several people continued to trickle on board after I was seated. Then we were on the tarmac for at least an hour before the plane took off. Frustrating.

When I checked in at Grand Hyatt at DFW, I was told they had upgraded me to a king suite. This was after 1:30 a.m. and I was going to be there just a few hours as I had a flight to Portland around 10:00 a.m. Although it was a lovely room, I had no need for a suite for that short period of time. They also charged me only $50 for the room. I haven’t been there enough to warrant credits like that, but I’ll take it.

Lodging

Hugs at Horny Toad and then up to my room, where this is the first view I have from my balcony.




The sargassum had been quite bad prior to my arrival, but there was just a bit left when I got there. For the first time in staying there, there was a slight sand bank in front of The Toad, but it didn’t inhibit getting to the water.



I previously reported on the broken water pipe that occurred on my second night on island in THIS THREAD (LINK). I spent two weeks in a different room and then moved back to my original room when everything had been repaired. It all had me a bit off kilter, and I spent a lot of time just vegging and enjoying the gorgeous views from the balcony and beach.








At this time of year, sunrises and sunsets aren’t visible from The Toad so I don’t have any of those pictures to share this report. It’s always nice seeing the cruise ships coming and going.




The innkeepers’ cat, Betsy, and I renewed acquaintance, and she spent a lot of time with me. If I was away during the day, she would be waiting by the parking lot and accompany me back to my room.





I am not normally a morning coffee drinker, but there’s something special about coffee on the balcony at The Toad.



Saba was invisible for most of my trip, but occasionally she showed up, albeit sometimes faintly.






One disadvantage to the room I was in temporarily is that it’s close to an area of the beach where locals party in the evening and on weekends, and it can get noisy. This was the unfortunate result the morning after a wedding. Sad at the lack of respect for the environment.



When I was back in my original room, I noticed a nest in the roof rafters. Mom was feeding the two chicks, who were pretty big. Dad is off to the right. This was the last day I saw them; truly an empty nest after this morning.



Las Arenas is next door to The Horny Toad and is a beautiful property. I tell myself when I win the lottery, I want to buy a unit there. Trouble is, I don’t play the lottery.



It wasn’t sunny all the time.




Moon coming up while sun was still setting.



This is the pavilion at The Horny Toad. Happy hours take place here, as does Thanksgiving dinner. There are two BBQs available for guest use.



Thus endeth my five weeks at The Horny Toad Guest House.



I am fortunate to be returning for five more weeks in November, where these will again be my views.




Thanks for reading and commenting.

Thanks for all of your postings and all the wonderful pictures.

Amazing photos, as always! Thanks for posting!

Blessings my Dear .

Such great photos. Horny Toad looks like a nice place, and Betsy a lovely coffee companion.

OH I love a cat for coffee companion!
I suspect ANYTHING tastes better on the balcony in SXM!
Thank you for the pictures of my favorite island. It makes the time between trips at least a little easier.

Nice pictures, Linda....thanks for sharing. What camera are you using?

My phone - Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

I miss the cats at Divi. Now there are just the iguanas. They are fun too but I can always snuggle a kitty.

Great pictures. That cat is adorable and clearly loves you!

Very nice pics and report.
Thanks

Great pictures, especially the cat. Maybe I'll try to learn how to embed photos--right after I learn French.

cruzer--embedding pictures is no big deal. EITHER upload your pictures somewhere else OR create a picture gallery here, and use the insert image link.

Thanks for posting, Linda. Sounds like another great trip.

Great pictures, Linda. Thanks for posting them and your other great trip reports. It's amazing how empty Simpson Bay seems to be at this time of year, compared to when I'm normally there in January/February, when it is full of sailboats, cats (the boats, not the felines) and yachts.

Like you, I enjoy watching the cruise ships leaving at night, all lit up as they head west. It's a lovely sight to see while relaxing on the balcony. If I'm up early enough, I also get to see them come in from the west in the morning on their way to the terminal in Philipsburg.

I really enjoyed reading your trip reports, and the pictures are beautiful.

I’m hoping that one of our future visits will be at The Horny Toad. It’s such a lovely property.