TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Week 2 Trip Report: June 17-23

Saturday, June 17

The wrist strap on my camera gave up the ghost, and I was afraid of dropping the camera so I headed for Philipsburg fairly early to see if I could get a replacement at Boolchands. The parking lot had plenty of space, and I found what I needed at Boolchands. I decided to have breakfast at Oualichi; this meal was less successful than my lunch earlier in the week. The car needed gassing up, and the station I like to go to is in Marigot/Nettle Bay so I decided to do an around-the-island drive.



Back at Divi, the afternoon was spent at the Infinity Pool. Since it was turnover day, the pool was fairly quiet until late afternoon.

Dinner was at Daniel’s By the Sea, a tradition for the last night on the island for one of the group leaving the next day. Heavy seaweed has been reported at Oyster Bay Beach, but not much was noted when I was there although there was a bit of a ledge.



While the food was good, service was very slow. Daniel even came out to apologize for the hour and a half wait.

Sunday, June 18

It was time for a change of scenery. Dave and Kathy have decided they don’t want to spend a lot of time riding around (they don’t have a car; I’ve been doing the driving) so I headed to La Playa. Being Father’s Day, it was very busy. I was guided to a second-row chair, which was free by mentioning TTOL. It was very windy, which didn’t make for a particularly relaxing beach day.

When it was time for lunch, it was amusing to see the little beggars at another table. The dog belongs to La Playa co-owner Thomas; the cat is likely a stray.



Connis and, I think, Betty V. were performing. I don’t know if that was just for Father’s Day or if it happens every Sunday.


Monday, June 19

The day was fairly overcast. Although the threat of rain was ever-present, it fortunately didn’t materialize.



After a quick grocery run, I spent the day at the Infinity Pool until it was time for a Winemaker Dinner at La Samanna. Jeff Jhangiani invited me and others and graciously offered to give me a ride. I had never been to La Samanna before, and it’s a lovely facility; so is the view.




It was a lovely evening and may well be the best meal I’ve ever had on the island. This is the entrée, beef tenderloin with Bordeaux-style sauce, porcini mushrooms, and incredible potatoes.



Jeff says that this event in high season can go for $550 per person; fortunately, it was $99 the night I went.

Tuesday, June 20

I’ve been exercising nearly every morning at the much-improved fitness center but instead decided to go to the aqua aerobics class. It wasn’t a cardio workout and was more stretching than anything else. It was another overcast day with a significant breeze, spent at the Seabreeze Pool.



Several of us went on the Celine Too’s lagoon cruise/Stone dinner package. It was cloudy for the duration, and we were rained on for a bit as well.

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For an all-inclusive price of $49, which includes the cruise, you have the choice of three entrees; you can also upgrade to other entrees for an additional cost. After dinner we went to Byblos for baklava dessert. Unfortunately, they had just sold the last serving before we arrived, but I was able to say hello to Carter so all was not lost.

Wednesday, June 21

It was very windy at Dreams, making for another less-than-successful beach day. However, lunch was a huge success. I’m sure everything on the menu is wonderful, but I just can’t get beyond the Bo-Bun Nem salad. It’s simply exquisite.

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Why I ordered dessert is beyond me, but I justified it because it was fruit. Excellent.

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As if I hadn’t had enough food for the day, I met friends for all-you-can-eat ribs at Ocean Club. With coleslaw and fries, it’s a bargain at $15. DonLinda, you were truly missed.

Thursday, June 22

Dave, Kathy, and I went on Aqua Mania’s Santino round-the-island boat trip. There were four stops: Creole Rock, lunch at a Grand Case lolo, Tintamarre, and Pinel Island. Dave really enjoyed the trip, but I just can’t recommend it. The Santino is a 28-passenger motor boat, not a catamaran. Consequently, some of the ride was very rough. I could have lived with that, but the constant drenching from the waves was unpleasant, at least to me. We were soaked the whole trip, and I just didn’t care for it. However, the weather was great and I do like seeing the island from the water. This is Trump’s compound.

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Tintamarre was very busy, and we moored next to the Celine Too, causing me to wish I had chosen that trip instead.

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As you know from their posts, Carol and Eric are on the island. Friends and I met them at Melange for dinner. This time I had the shrimp skewers; very good.

Friday, June 23

It was an active morning with an hour in the gym, followed by a very energetic aqua aerobics class. Divi is really green and beautiful.

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I spent the afternoon on Little Bay Beach with Kathy and Dave, as this is their last day. We enjoyed dinner at Antoine’s with friends to celebrate Kathy and Dave’s last night on the island. Entrees included veal scallopini, red snapper, roast chicken, and, of course, roast duck with a cherry sauce (not shown). The pureed cauliflower and carrots were a nice touch. Not an incredible meal, but very good. And the company was even better.

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The lights around Great Bay made for a lovely setting.

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Tomorrow I take Kathy and Dave to the airport and start my remaining two weeks (almost).

Great report! We took pictures of the dog and the cat at LaPlaya also! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> Great to see you again, as well as Larry and Gretchen, that we hadn't seen in a really long time! That meal at LaSamanna, including a chauffeur, sounds absolutely lovely!

Lots of eats and treats Linda. Sounds like a lovely vacation enjoyed with good friends. Thanks for taking the time to take us along with you.

Very nice, Linda, and again, thank you for taking the time and sharing your trip with all of us.l

With regard to your dinner at Antoines, did you notice the change in ownership? We tried it in April and while it was good, it just wasn't the same and yet, I couldn't put my finger on why. I think we just missed the pleasure of seeing Jean Pierre and getting our annual island up-date.

Can't wait for your next installment...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Sounds like a wonderful vacation. The pictures are beautiful. Every year I am amazed at everything you do. We also vacation for a month but sand gravity keeps us from accomplishing much. Enjoy the next two weeks.

You always post such wonderfully worded and photographed TR's. Thanks for sharing.

Wonderful Report! We are looking forward to trying Dreams based upon your recommendations. The wine dinner would be a treat as well. I did a search to see if they would be having another while we are there in August but turned up nothing. I will call their Concierge. It may not be open to those that aren't staying there or without friends in high place for all I know! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Very enjoyable read, Linda. Glad you are having fun and taking us along.

Enjoying your report as always. Thanks for posting. Say hello to Carter for me if you see him again.

Great report and pics! Sounds like a lovely vacation <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

That was wonderful of Jeff to take you to La Samana....price of a new tennis bracelet huh?

I'm interested in knowing more about this Winemakers Dinner...any details?

Love your kitty pictures!

Sounds as if you are enjoying every moment. Lovely report.

Pat - I haven't been to Antoine's enough to notice a difference. What I do know is that when Dave was placing his order, he asked for the chef to cook whatever he wanted. The server said they couldn't do that. Dave says he was able to do that under the previous ownership.

All I know is what was on the card we were given. The dinner was titled Winemaker Dinner, Edition V. Reservation email is: [email]events.las@belmond.com.[/email] Phone 0590 876 564. Perhaps you can get more info from one of those sources. Jeff likely can give you more information as well.

Thanks for another great update.

Thanks for great report and nice pictures. We are booked at Divi first time, adding week 50 to our regular two Christmas weeks at The Towers. Looking forward to have time to explore your end of the island.

For those interested in the Wine Maker Dinners that Jazzgal mentioned. The last one of the season is coming up. I emailed them to see if there would be a dinner in August. Here is their reply(edited):

Our last Wine Maker Dinner edition for the season will be on July 28. It will be a "Tour de France" of wines and menu/wine pairing is going to be published early July.
Thank you for your interest in Belmond La Samanna Events,
Sunny regards,
Stephanie