TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Continuing notes on a visit

I will post observations in this continuing post.

1) Happy Bay

We have been doing the Happy Bay thing every other day and have noticed some changes for those who walk over from Friar's Bay.

1) no more cows...obvious by the lack of cow flops and the overgrown field after the hill (near the ruined condos). Lots of thorny bushes encroaching the path and making it a pain (literally) to walk.

The above was day 2 visit....yesterday a few workers were busily at work weedwacking a driveway to the abandoned condo which, now, is being restored...dumpster in place an stuff going on...

The beach was nice and plentiful and not that many people experiencing it.


(actually using this as a test of my Photobucket issues...worked after a few tries so there is hope <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

The Eclipse has been hanging around in Simpson Bay the last couple of days...quite an impressive beast. For perspective passing behind it is Excellence V a mere 186 in length



We went to check out the new Sunset Beach expansion...kind of a duh move 'cuz there were a bunch of ships in port and I think EVERY passenger was there...had to be 5000 people (maybe not but it seemed that many). But..a tad after 4p Air France landed and 95% of the place emptied out. It was like a pro football game getting out. Amazing
difference...actually could see the sand sans people....and I should mention I stepped off the width of the beach and cement wall to water edge was 85 feet...last year I think it was maybe 10 feet.
The place is huge and impressive. Lots of tables and stores and even a live lobster tank. The pool is kinda lame but who would swim in a shallow pool where everyone is drinking. Speaking of restrooms they are a big improvement. improvement also.



I'll stop for now but one last pic for those Shandy beer fans out there. Carib has added it to there selections...didn't try it but there was only one bottle left on the shelves..

We stayed just above Happy Bay last summer and the island exceeded expectations in every category. Fortunately, we get to return in the near future. I admit it, we're hooked. Your pictures definitely refreshed some happy memories. I immediately went to our photos and looked at the view from our villa down to Happy Bay.

You mentioned that there was some work being done at the abandoned resort(s). Do you have any more specifics about the plans for it? We asked about that area last summer and were told that it was for sale but the owners were asking well above market value. I don't know if there's any truth to that...that's just what we were told.

No info. Just a crew working on acces and inside the buildings.

I will miss this though (from last year):



One thing I forgot to mention about Sunset Bar. Do NOT even think of parking on the wall side of the road. There are MANY no parking signs but we saw two cars being towed away. Fence parking is fine if you do not want to buy anything at Sunset Bar...otherwise free parking in the lot with purchase.

Another note: Carrefour Market on Bush Road...great selection of aabout everything and prices are reasonable. There has to be three separate cheese sections with a zillion different types, nice produce, great beer selection with Carib at $19/case. Even has Blue Moon which is my home favorite. Large wine and meat section (not together) House brands of items are much cheaper and are quality. Lots of French branded items. Bring bags (applicable most everywhere)

A new experience for us was the Bavaria restaurant. Great food, friendly owner who served us. I had the schnitzel which was perfect BUT I would go back just for the fried potatoes. No a calorie counters' choice but they were delicious with decent chunks of bacon used to fry them and a few onions thrown in...nice reasonably priced meal...and a great German wheat beer..like a half liter bottle of beer in a tall matching glass. Definitely a return location.

OOps ...forgot. Noticed today that quite a few large planes are taking off to the west. American and United just followed each other and they both turned south and went around the other side of the Island..usually the westies (aka "backwards") turn right for a direct route but I guess midday incoming traffic nixed that.
Edited to add (again) JB and Delta just followed suit...no wind at all so that can't be the issue. Sunset sand suckers are gonna be upset... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the report and the pictures!!

Great report. Those cows are so cool sorry I won't get to experience them. From previous posts I believe you stay at SBR. Any report on the New Mexican restaurant ? We will be there in February, the suitcases are being packed, can't wait.

Very nice. One of these days I've got to figure out posting photos. They do add so much to a trip report. Good job!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Re: photos...my dream is to be able to post an image from Google or Amazon photos since all my pics are on auto to go to the cloud. The "share image" link just puts a link not a pic. This would eliminate a need for Photobucket etc..

Re: Mexican Restaurant (La Patrona)..not a fan of Mexican food so not a proper critic. Looks nice though but usually not very busy.

Anyway...warm sunrise reflecting off all the yachts in the Bay..great view of Saba the last two days and yesterday I could see (right to left) Saba, Statia, St. Kitts, Nevis and, from near the Westin, St. Barts.

Here is Saba this am...



..and there is significant construction going on the hill at the west end of the lagoon. Decent size road being constructed and a large housing/whatever complex. Pic is from about two miles away (B building SBR)so kinda lame but Mary's Boon bottom right, Karacter bottom left and between is the construction. Obviously distance is compressed and the building is a decent distance away. Retaining wall visible above the road.



The last pic is a friend (one of MANY) we met yesterday near the Westin...literally hundreds of his relatives there.

The islands - all you mentioned - have been truly spectacularly visible this trip and yet, in April past, we wouldn't have known they were out there but for the occasional brief and hazy appearances but we, too, have never seen ALL of them so clearly at one time.

Enjoying your photos so much...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

The first 4 days we were here you could just about make out a very faint Saba...changed when the strong winds left which is the opposite what I would think...

Thanks so much for the report and the pictures!

Hey boucharda, has there been any work done on the B pool, we'll be there Saturday.

Great pictures!!
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" />

Re B pool...looks the same... had to chip through the ice on the surface to swim...never could figure out why the water is so cold...

Nice relaxing day. Tennis in the AM then off to Grand Case for lunch at the usual location Talk of the Town. Nice plate of ribs and curry rice for 8 bucks. Very busy and lively today. Caribbean music provided as a background. Beach was minimal but never really that much sand in this area.




Link to the wandering tunes:

Tunes

Half time over now..have to watch Atlanta finish the crush job...and then on to my Pats. Hope that's a better game

Atlanta is beating a team that Tennessee beat, what a shock. Stupid of me to take them with points.

Re: those wondering where to watch the SuperBowl...the NFC/AFC Championship games were on almost everywhere on the Dutch side. Signs out front of a lot of places.

Go Pats!

Thanks for the report and pics.