TravelTalkOnline Forums Trip Reports (Read Only) SXM Trip Reports and Photos My Trip Report!! 3/9 to 3/17 Part 1

OK, get the popcorn and settle in for a week in the life of Gretchen and her SXM Soujourn. There is a full cast of whacky characters, each of which played a roll (good and bad) in making this the best trip EVAH! (Sheila, that one's for you!)<br><br>First, a little background:<br><br>Number of times to SXM: 15<br>Lodging: Royal Islander, owners<br>Number of first time travellers along for the ride: 1 Tara from LA via Grand Rapids<br>Number of veterans: 3, Me, Mom and Leslie from Cincinatti<br>Car Rental: Safari, White Corolla, $150 per week<br>Airline: USAir<br>horrifying turbulence on the way down (not the airlines fault)<br>Crime Experience: None in all 15 years<br>Weather: <br><br>We arrived Sat. March 9 at 4pm. Went right to the grocery to stock up. Sunday was Royal Islander pool/beach day. This is traditionally decompression day-very low key, relaxing. Met up with friends Sheila and Susan, who's father also stays at Royal. They are part of a large group of us who have all become friends over the years, and is one of the most pleasurable things about our annual trip-seeing all the great friends we have made. There was another group of 'newbies', the niece, nephew and their friends, of Sheila's dad's SO (significant other) We were looking forward to a fun time with 9 of us all around the same age (30-40 somethings). <br><br>While imbibing Sunday night at Sunset Beach Bar (great band!) we noticed that Paul (nephew) WAS in fact, Starsky!!!! And that name stuck with him the rest of the trip!!! He looked EXACTLY like Paul Michael Glaser!!! To wit, his friend, Sasha, became Hutch. This provided us with hours of entertainment....Dinner at Boathouse, when we (disappointingly) found out that Banana's was closed that night. Boathouse was excellent! <br><br>Monday: Orient Beach day. Beach was great, lunch at Pedros's and chairs at Kontiki. Just a perfect day at the beach-what can I say<br>Went to the Happy Hour TTOL party at La Vista's Hideaway. The place looked great, and it was so fun to meet everyone. We couldn't stay for dinner, as we had a dinner obligation. We went to Bamboo Bernie's, the new place at Caravanserai, for sushi. OUTSTANDING!!!! The atmosphere was incredible. We were led down a jungle path, complete with chirping, croaking, and other jungle noises to our own tiki hut set in our own private jungle. You cannot see any other tables. Each is it's own little jungle hut. Music is piped in, tiki torches lit, and the seating is comfy futons on either side of a low table. We were a little worried about service, as there is no way to flag down a waiter. But the service proved to be perfect. Just about the time you needed something, they were right there. AWESOME! I highly recommend this place!<br><br>Tuesday:<br>Went to Mullet. Gorgeous as usual. Daleo's barbecue was delish!!!!!!!<br>Sheila and Susan's dad had their annual cocktail party, which has become somewhat of a fete. Get's bigger every year. The ribs came from Daleo's on the beach-excellent!!! They always do fun prize raffles, and whoever wins has to bring back the (gag) gift the next year, plus bring something new to share. The tackier the better!!!!! It was a fun time! Us "youngins" then went to Greenhouse. Always fun for dancing and Two-fer's.<br><br>Wednesday:<br> My friend Tara tells us that her client (and sometime social friend) was also on the island. She lived in SXM for 13 years, moving back to the states in '85. She now visits about 5-6 times a year. My friend felt obligated to spend a little time with her, as the business relationship can be a delicate thing, and she didnt want to offend her. Leslie and I went along for the ride. She was staying at La Petite Hotel, which we had always wanted to see, and it was just delightful. Dana is friends with the owner, Chris and her husband Marc, who's family also own L'Esplanade-also beautiful. Tara was coerced into spending the night, and was treated to her own beautiful suite at La Petite-who could resist? We were then taken to a little place at the bottom of the hill by L'Esplanade, called The Perfect Ti` Pot. We met the sculptor, Celeste (?) and her work was beautiful. I just don't know how anyone would ever find her little studio!!!<br>We then went up the hill behind L'Esplanade and met Chris and Marc and their adorable son. Their house was stunning, way up on the hill with the most incredible view of Grand Case below, and Anguilla in the distance. How anyone could ever leave that spot, I don't know, but we did, and spent the rest of the day on Petit Plage. Interstingly, the subject of rime came up. Dana was commenting on how she had been robbed/mugged 3 times when she lived there. She moved away in 1985. It just helped put into perspective that petty crime was around even back in the late 70's early 80's when she lived there.<br>Dinner was at Bar de la Mer, a perennial favorite. I had the Ouasseau (fresh water shrimp) To die for as usual. Dana joined us with her new found friend she met the day before, Denis, a French artist. He was GORGEOUS! Our table full of women could not take our eyes off him! The dinner lasted 4 hours, with champagne, shrimp and lobster, interesting company, and was one of the best dinners I have had in SXM ever.<br><br>Thursday:<br>Took the Lambada (9 of us) to Prickly Pear for the day. What a great trip !!!!!! Weather was perfect, calm seas, great snorkelling, fun crew. On the way back, one of the crew girls, who had a broken toe, asked for some help. She needed 6 strong men to help her raise the main sail. Now, Starsky and Hutch (especially Starsky) are 2 very fit, virile men. She was looking right at them while asking for help, because, quite frankly they were probably the most 'able' guys on the boat. Neither one of them budged an inch to help her!!!!!!! We could not believe it!!!!!! Finally, several men did help, but our Starsky and Hutch were too afraid to break a nail, I guess. We were mortified!!!!!! And of course, we mooned/flashed the passing Swaliga II, which they kindly obliged in return. Other than the W(P)ussy Fest so proudly displayed by our superhero's, the day as great!<br>Went to Bliss that night to celebrate Sheila's birthday. Had a great time! This place is beautiful, folks. Also at Caravanserai, right behind SSBB, it is the new hot spot, esp. on Thursdays. EVerything is outdoors, and it looks like an oasis. Gauzy curtains, even a Harem tent, complete with persian rugs, a bed, candles, etc. Then on to Soprano's. This is where it got ugly...........<br> <br>To be continued in Part 2!!!!