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Jax & Roma/The Oasis Bar Tap Water vs Bottled ruralcarrier 3 hours ago I have noticed that on both visits to Jax, tap water is not an option, just the $7 bottled water that they pour freely. At The Oasis Bar at Roma, tap water (out of the fountain gun, I believe) is offered when asked. Jax indicated they did not have tap water, yet it is just across the street from Roma. While $7 a bottle will not keep me away, I have no problem drinking the tap water on the Dutch side, as I do daily at The Horny Toad.

Just curious as to if others have any thoughts on this. I am thinking it is a way for Jax to pad the bottom line and increase gratuities for servers.

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Day 10 Wednesday More of the Same ruralcarrier 5 hours ago Once again, PASTRIES (not pasties!) from La Sucriere to start the day while watching several cruise ships come in. A quick trip into town to finish shopping and then a lot of beach and water time here.

The Horny Toad has a lot of repeat guests, and this week is no exception. Most staying here have done so before, including a couple from FL (Russ and Debbie) who were here in May when we were and another mother/daughter along with a couple in the unit next to us. It is always good to hear how they discovered SXM and The Horny Toad. It was a nice day to enjoy relaxation and conversation. The yacht, Wanderlust, also departed in the afternoon.

We had decided on Fat Tony's for dinner tonight, only to find them closed. Not sure if it is a Wednesday thing that I was unaware of or what. Bar Code appeared to be open, but nobody was there, so I didn't want to chance going there since it had changed hands.

We opted to go back to Roma/The Oasis Bar since one can order off either menu. They were packed, but we were able to get four seats at the bar. Pizza and a couple of salads and a couple of desserts followed by the mint chocolate shots made by Leif. He has provided excellent service the times we have been in. You can tell the "Marco Touch" on the place, as it is efficient and top-notch. Friends were also dining in the dining room at Mr. Chow and there were familiar faces at the bar as well.

Another good day.

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RIP Bomba... Manpot Yesterday at 04:47 PM The big guy has checked out having survived Irma, the loss of the shack and life in a hut across the street. I'll never forget the first time my soon to be wife Candace and I met him on our very first trip in 1984.
Bomba was sittiing in the Shack on a cooler, smoking of course.
"Have you got a beer?" I asked."Got money?" Bomba replied.
The nod out my head brought out two ice cold beers from the cooler for about $2 each..and so began a friendship that lasted decades...led to Bomba giving me the nickname "Manpot" that many folks still call me.
There are so many memories..obviously the wild parties, bringing parts from California for his rusting Cadillac..the night a guest of ours crashed into the Shack. The many beers after great surf sessions.
Bomba was truly one of the great characters that you only seem to find in places like the BVI.Lets all raise a Bomba punch toast..

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Day 9 Tuesday a Busy Day ruralcarrier Yesterday at 10:54 AM After a rough night with a severe leg cramp, it was up and at them by 5:00. Pasties from La Sucriere again, and it was time to take my sister and her husband on an island tour. With 5 cruise ships in port, we love watching them arrive from The Horny Toad balcony, I knew traffic would be heavy as the day went on so we were on the road early.

A drive through Marigot, along the waterfront, and on to Grand Case and then Orient Beach. We stopped at Orange Fever for an early morning birthday celebration drink and wifi access. My sister has 2 adult daughters and two grandkids, so they wanted to include them with facetime. Good drinks at Orange Fever and then on around the island with a planned stop in town, as they wanted some souvenirs. That stop turned into jewelry store visits as well versus just shirts. With 5 ships in, the beach and boardwalk were very busy, but not so much the stores. We had a preplanned gathering of our former regatta gang at D's Beach Bar for noon to visit, reminisce, and for the newbies to meet and greet.

We were running late due to the shopping but still made it back in decent time. Some appetizers and drinks were enjoyed, and birthday wishes were extended. They were somewhat busy with one server doing a great job, and another one struggled to keep up. We opted to stay for a while to observe the airport activity. Needless to say, with 5 ships in port, SSBB and Driftwood were a zoo, as was the road.

We headed back to The Horny Toad for some naps for some and beach time for others. We had a meal planned for the evening, so we headed out at about 5:30. Traffic coming into Simpson Bay was backed up to the airport; no idea why, but we were heading the opposite way, so with some "island-style driving," we negotiated the backed-up roundabout and were on our way. Another good meal and service at Jax and then 4 of us went to The Oasis Bar at Roma to wish Marco a happy birthday and also have some ice cream that was enjoyed on a previous visit. We had a round of chocolate mint shots and then headed out. Both restaurants were very busy, and Marco was in the kitchen, as they were at least 2 workers short.

Some of the group were going to Ghe Red Piano so I dropped my people back at The Horny Toad, as they wanted to stay in. I had not been to The Red Piano in years, as I am usually in way early and didn't like the smoke. I knew a long time TTOL and SXM friend, Norm (SXMNorm) was on the island, and I wanted to see him. He used to host an SXM Lovers/TTOL party in St. Louis, of which I attended several times and stayed with Norm and his late wife, Betty, after riding my cycle out. We go way back via TTOL and SXM.

Enough, Norm was at the bar. My other friends were there as well, so after checking in with them, Norm and I were able to catch up a little bit. Good music and crowded, and NO smoking! I only stayed for a short time, but it was really good to see Norm and know he is still making two trips a year to SXM.

Overall, a very good day and way to celebrate a birthday.

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San Francisco: MuniMobile fare changes for 2026–27 visitors ReedDusdennis Yesterday at 07:28 AM If you are planning to use Muni buses, streetcars or Metro in San Francisco, SFMTA is gradually retiring the MuniMobile ticketing app. Single-ride tickets have not been sold in the app since September 1, 2026; adults can instead use Clipper or tap a chip-enabled credit/debit card at a Clipper reader.

Day passes and Visitor Passports are still available in MuniMobile in 2026. SFMTA's proposed next step is to end app sales of the Muni-only Day Pass on January 3, 2027, while keeping that pass available through other sales channels. The Muni-only Day Pass excludes cable cars, so check the product carefully if those are part of your plans.

Before buying for a future visit, check SFMTA's current transition schedule: https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/muni/fares/munimobile

Prepared by Reed's AI assistant from SFMTA information checked November 3, 2026.

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La Playa: The former crew? Lars Yesterday at 12:52 AM Hi all,
I and my wife Anette have often visited La Playa on Orient Beach specifically for the large sushi plate for two.
Yesterday, my wife’s birthday, we walked there, but the whole crew were replaced (and the price for the plate was no longer acceptable in our humble opinions).
So, where are Alexandra and her colleagues working these days?
In advance, thanks for your answers!
Lars

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Dumb question time - - Guineaman 11/03/2026 10:32 PM Let's say I have a U.S flagged center console (undocumented, 36 ft.) legally in the BVI. I want to take it over to St. Thomas.

Do I clear customs at Cruz Bay? Can I simply tie up at the custom's pier?

On the way back to VG, do I have to stop at Cruz Bay again and clear out? I know I have to clear coming into the BVI.

All very hypothetical, but thinking about doing something.

Thanx

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North Sound Express 11/8 10:30 LB to Tellis Bay? grammybanker 11/03/2026 07:57 PM Hi! We will be flying out of EIS on 11/8 @ on American @ 1:05. If we take the 10:30 North Sound Express, will we have ample time to make our flight? We’ve only ferried in and out of Spanish Town to Roadtown and taxi to EIS We’re staying in Leverick this trip so exploring this as an option.

TIA!

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WestJet from Toronto new trip jeepers 11/03/2026 06:12 PM WestJet now flying on Saturday from toronto. Saw it land last Saturday. I think that's 7 days a week now.

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AF446 plane A350-900 jeepers 11/03/2026 06:07 PM Massive plane & wing span landed at 12:20 st Maarten time!! Huge crowd to see it. 4 ships I think. Wow!

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