TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trip Report Days 10, 11, and 12

I got up early on Monday, hoping to see an Anguillan sunrise but instead was greeted by a rain shower. After checking the radar map and hourly forecast, it was apparent that it would not be a beach day. The four of us had breakfast in the restaurant at Serenity, which was excellent. The staff is so friendly and attentive; in fact everyone we encountered in Anguilla was just as nice as can be.

After breakfast we packed up and checked out, and then took a ride around the island. I was struck by how much vacant land still exists there, as well as by how clean it is. SXM could learn a lot from her neighbor. After our ride, we decided the best course of action was to take the noon ferry back to Marigot. We decided on The Palms for lunch, where they had been so busy that Jo wasn't even sure what they would have left to serve us. Not a bad problem to have! We ended up getting sirloin burgers, and they were excellent.

Tuesday, David and I met friends off a cruise at their favorite spot, Palm Beach. We had some nice beach time, and a delicious lunch. David and I each had the lobster and shrimp risotto, and it was spectacular.

Tuesday evening a large group went to Karakter for live music. They've really done a lot to improve the place since we were last there. It was packed, but the service was still pretty good, as was the food. David and I shared four different tapas, and I think most of the others did something similar; it was dark and the music didn't allow for much conversation, but we still had a great time. The musical talent on the island is pretty impressive.

Wednesday was a La Playa day, and despite there being seven ships in port, Orient wasn't really a zoo. La Playa in particular wasn't overly crowded, as Bruno doesn't cram the chairs right next to each other. We again reserved a table on the elevated deck, which is just a lovely spot to enjoy a meal. I finally got my mussels, and they were just delicious. The others had steak, fish, and a wrap; I was too busy with my mussels to pay close attention to anyone else's meal. David and MJ didn't want dessert, so I talked Todd into sharing the Cafe Gourmand with me.

Wednesday we had dinner at Avantika with the Benners and the Masts. In the past, Caribbean Scout had made menu suggestions for a group, so I pulled that back up and came armed with a plan. Unfortunately, their menu has changed, and many of her suggestions are no longer available; but seeing the method of the list, our waiter helped with alternatives. We had chicken sate and salmon sashimi to start, then red curry chicken, drunken noodles with beef, beef fried rice, and a veggie dish with beef added. We ordered everything medium hot, which proved to be a mistake; as we were all a bit overcome by the spice level. I was quite surprised by that, as I have a good tolerance for heat. I think the chef may have changed there, but I didn't ask.

I realize that I missed posting about our dinner on Saturday. We went to Lal's, where we shared chicken tikka masala, spinach chicken, and one other chicken dish whose name I don't remember. All had the perfect spice level, and served with a couple of orders of garlic naan to sop up the delicious sauce. Lal describes his food as Rock and Roll Indian, and that's a good description.

Thanks for your report. Sounds like you are covering a lot of ground.

Anguilla is very different than SXM and way less populated, at least currently.

Sorry you had a rainy experience on Anguilla; I'd like to do a stay-over there sometime.

Nice seeing you all at Karakter. I think we're going to go again next Tuesday now that I'm feeling better.

Still a week left!

Sunday was perfect in Anguilla, the rain didn't come until Monday. Glad you're feeling better; you did look pretty miserable on Tuesday evening.

Thanks for the report! What is Café Gourmand??

edit--never mind, I googled it. Sounds great! What were the desserts served?

Thanks again for posting. What time does the music start at Karakters and what type? Used to be soft jazz.

Enjoyed your report as usual. I wish I was an adventurous eater. The food sounds amazing.

There was a custard topped with diced mango, a dense chocolate cake, strawberry sorbet, and lemon meringue tart.

Sounds yummy!

Tuesday's music started promptly at 7, and it was Ronny Santana with another string player, a keyboardist, and a female vocalist. They covered hits from the 60s and 70s.

What was the parking like?? I enjoy going there in the evening, but the parking situation is so crazy, I don't know that I would go back. The last time we went, we got there fairly early, so we got a place to park, but we wanted to leave at around 10 and it was pretty dicey getting back out, with so many cars parked all over the place.

We didn't have any problems parking or leaving. I did notice that they have a shuttle, but don't know from or to where. It's a van with Karakter Shuttle painted on the side. Their website or Facebook page may have more info on that.

OK, thanks. I had heard about a shuttle, but I don't know where it is from.

Norm,
Connis used to be there every Friday for soft jazz- not sure if he's still there or not. Thanks again for your reports Georgina.

Norm - as we were leaving, a gentleman told us about several nights of music. The vocalist on Tuesday is there another night, there was a Latin night, and I don't remember what else. I think they may have music six nights per week. Unfortunately, their web site doesn't say.

Thank you for taking the time during your trip to post Georgia!

You make things sound scrumptious. We love Kakao so much, but based upon your recommendation we will try La Playa... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />