Hello all! I finally got around to writing my trip report. A few quick things off the top for those who don’t know me. My entire family is from St. Martin, going back generations. I, however, was born in the US of A, spending most of my summers on D island. With that, we begin. What you are about to read is an entirely too long account of my 7 days on island.
Tuesday, August 3
Flight down. Left the house at 4:30 am for my 7am US Airways flight out of BWI to Charlotte. For some inexplicable reason, we left late, which had us hustling to catch our connecting 9:25am flight. Not a big deal, we had plenty of time. But the hubs wanted to get breakfast and was not pleased. Lucky for us they actually had a tasty sandwich for purchase on board. Landed on time in SXM after circling for a bit. Met by the good folks at Unity, whisked to their lot, and literally 2 minutes later, we’re on our way to Colombier. Can not say enough about how much I love Unity.
Initial observations. Porto Cupecoy looks pretty. I’m still appalled at the over development in the area, but at least that project is pretty. Island is green. Traffic is light.
That night we eat dinner with the rents and head out to Grand Case for some drinks. We head to Le Shore. Good drinks, lovely view. We’re exhausted, so we head home after 2 rounds.
Wednesday, August 4
BEACH! After a quick jaunt down rue de colombier to get the heart moving the boy and I head out to a day at Karakter’s. BUT FIRST, we stop at Hilma’s Windsor Castle in Simpson Bay. Seriously, the best and cheapest breakfast around. And Hilma is so nice. We then get to Karakter. We were the 2nd one’s there. By time we left 6 hours later, it was packed. I freakin love this place. Lots of drinks, delicious food. I felt like the water was pretty calm compared to what it usually is.
Side note – it’s been a few years since I’ve vacationed in SXM in august. I forgot how hot and strong the sun is. It’s a lesson we’d learn this first day. And as evidenced by my now peeling arms.
Dinner at home again. Then we decide to try something different and actually venture into the dutch side at night. If my parents actually had internet service, I would have asked you all where to go! But alas, I had to go off my memory. As we drove past Toppers I said “I’ve heard people say good things about this place. It’s packed. Let’s go.” It’s karaoke night. OH BOY. After a few drinks, I decide to get up there and show them how it’s done. If you happened to be there when some chick was singing “Living on a Prayer” that was me. I really shouldn’t sing that song in public.
Thursday, August 5
Day of errands. Spend the morning running around with the parentals in Concordia and then town…er, Phillipsburg. Oh, did I mention? IT’S SO FREAKING HOT. Oh my God, so hot. Anyway, we meet up with some friends at Taloula Mangoes for lunch. The food was just ok, drinks great, view awesome. This was the first time I’ve been on the boardwalk. I really don’t hang out on the Dutch side much.
The boy and I make our trek down to the Guavaberry emporium to compare prices on the BBQ and Hot Sauces we want. Surprise surprise, we can get it cheaper elsewhere. That elsewhere being Barbara’s store! (someday Barbara, we will meet. SOMEDAY!) We purchase a whole lot of stuff and head out to Cost U Less. Get some more things and head home to rest up for the highlight of every trip…
YVETTE’S!!!!!! I don’t know if it’s because I’m super stressed out and really needed this vacation or what, but good lord that pan fried snapper was the best I ever had! Johnny cakes, salt fish cakes, finished with everyone signing happy birthday to my mom and coconut pie made for a great evening. I love that every time we go there, the chef comes out and says to my dad “I got the biggest fish in the house for you.”
Friday, August 6
My sister is coming today! But before we pick her up, the hubs and I head to Friar’s. Terry greets us like long lost family (who knows, we probably are) and we set up for a few hours of drinks and beaching. We meet a lovely couple from Wisconsin who are long time cruisers, first time vacationers to SXM. Saw a school of fish close to the shore. Had Terry bring us beers in the water. AH LIFE.
Head to the airport to pick up my sister. Note to self…do not wear slightly damp clothing to meet someone IN the airport. It is very cold.
Dinner again at the parentals. The kids then head to Calmos Café. They set us up at a table literally right at water’s edge. We could see tons of fish just off the shore jumping. It was very cool. Friends of my sister came and joined us and we had a grand old time drinking until we got tired (which wasn’t really late at all). We had to wait for our friend’s taxi to show up because he got caught up in a police check point on the dutch side. We would see a similar control on the main road right by Colombier. Wear your seats belts people…they pulled over a group of (I presume) tourists for not having them on.
Saturday, August 7
Quick exercise, breakfast and off to Karakter again. Same as Wednesday. Eat, drink, swim, repeat. The friends from Friday night joined us before their flight left for some last minute island fun.
That night we celebrate both my mom’s bday and my parent’s wedding anniversary with a dinner at Loterie Farm. Wow, this place keeps getting better. I never noticed the picnic like area with the stage before. Is that new? There were a bunch of people lounging about, including young kids, listening to music. Tree top looked awesome as always. We dined in the main room. Their portions are large...something to keep in mind if you want dessert! Their duck was as amazing as I remember. My husband even liked his brussel sprouts and he HATES those.
Sunday, August 8
Wake up at the break of dawn for 7am church. I’m such a good daughter, because I really wanted to sleep. After breakfast, us kids head to Guana. YAY, it’s open this time! I really love the bar there and my chicken sandwich was different than I remembered, but still delish. The water was pretty rough, but nice and warm. The only downside was that they didn’t clean the beach. I don’t get that…who wants to step over seaweed and the cr*p that comes up with it on the way to the water? If the folks at Karakter can keep their beach clean so can the Guana folks. Oh, and I LOVE dogs. I do NOT love owners who let their dogs poop on the sand in front of them and don’t clean it up. So now I have to dodge poop bullets and garbage?
I really did have a good time here despite my last few sentences. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Monday, August 9
Wow. Complete downpour all morning. We had a few days where it looked like it was going to rain but then it cleared. Today wasn’t going to be that day. We had to meet the parentals in Marigot for some biz. Our plan was to drive to Karakter after and hope that the other side of the island was clear. We decided to head to Friar’s instead as it looked like it might clear. We go and sit under the palms to eat lunch and commence the drinking. And then the skies opened up. So we moved inside to eat lunch and continue the drinking. And it rained. And we drank. Repeat. Finally, a few hours later, it started to clear. As we headed home, the sun came back out, so we stopped by the rocks by the entrance and had one last final dip in the warm ocean as the sun set. A lovely send off.
After dinner at home, we were all too tired to go back out. So we sat on the porch and listened to the tree frogs, a baby goat and the occasional rooster make their noise.
Tuesday, August 10
We pack, we drop the car off at Unity, find out our flight is delayed by almost 2 hours (actually, kudos to US Air for trying to call me to let me know and then emailing me). Mechanical issues they tell us. So the entire fam heads upstairs for lunch and final tropical drinks. Had a yummy chicken sandwich and a strawberry daiquiri. After a tearful goodbye to my parents and sis, we head upstairs to wait for our flight.
Immigration in Charlotte was fine, but the agent questioned how much Ma Dou Dou I was bringing back. Here’s something I’d like clarity on…do I have to write down the MDD on my declarations form? I did, and that’s why he was like “you’re bringing back HOW many bottles?” That would be 10. My hubs thought that I maybe didn’t need to put it down. What do you all say?
Anyway, because I am brilliant, I booked the later flight back to DC, so when everyone else was scrambling to make the early flight or get booked on ours, we didn’t have to worry about it.
Random bits.
Traffic. It was light. We even braved Simpson Bay to Marigot during the day!
Weather. I think I already said this but it was HOT! I’m so thankful my parents live in Colombier…it’s so much cooler there. But still hot. It rained pretty much every night, but save for our last day, the weather was nice every day.
Crime. Oh, crime. It was on everyone’s mind (including my mom who warned me to be careful like every day). We were never were victims, knock on wood. But it was a topic of discussion among my family who live there, and I was definitely on edge driving around at night. During the day, I never gave it a second thought. I will say this…we saw a LOT more cops on the French side than ever before. And I think the new border patrols and stops will help. But it will take some real leadership and courage to address the root causes of the crime.
Lessons learned. A week is WAY too short of a time to visit. There were so many things, people and places I wanted to visit that I just couldn’t doo. Also, I am getting old. After drinking and lounging by the beach all day, I could not stay awake past 11 if you paid me. And finally, while SXM is not the island it used to be and I’m saddened by the changes, it is still my home and I still love it. And I’m counting the days until I can go back.
Yeah, this was ridiculously long. Sorry!
angelface <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
