TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Every thing is in perspective

Ok, it has been less than 24 hours so far. Will not bore you with the details so far, that will come!

We have only driven, cole bay, up over the hill to the old grand marche (now Caredfour sp?). Talk about a change at Carefour -- we knew where everything was located, now have to learn all over again. Major change, and can say it is NOT BAD AT ALL.

Went to p'burg to the electronic store for the fix for the phone. Very professional and was done correctly..... Thanks Beachkitchen for the info. Have phone and travel it works, evreything carried over.... Now have to read the XQVX instructions --- was simple before you pressed numbers on the keypad and it called!!! Now you have all of these "other" things to deal with!! Give me a phone that makes phone calls only!! (G)

Ok, enough of that, more to come.


FIRST IMPRESSION and only what we have done so far.

Simpson Bay, driving on the main drag ---- if you have never been here before ---- NO ISSUES at all. What you do not know does not hurt you. Do we know some difference, yes -- was it EXTREME NO.

Have not driven/been to Maho, but can see it from here. Construction yes!! If you have not been here --- new build!! Everything is perspective.

Went to p'burg for the phone, nothing exciting. But was watching my driving and cars and traffic also. But nothing stood out. Just normal construction for the most part, especially if you did not know any better. Saw workers repairing buildings... that is normal..... again what is the perspective.


Ok yes, you could say a lot of things................ BUT remember ......... WE STILL HAVE BLUE PLASTIC ON OUR ROOF AT HOME IN FLORIDA TODAY............ we are hoping that we will have a new roof either when we get home or the week that we get home.....PERSPECTIVE is the key.

Will relay a whole lot more.... but wine, Ribs for lunch, etc is not a bad thing! And the water is blue and the view is amazing. Did I forget to mention about the sand in front AND no seaweed!!! And most important, PAT did not steal and hide Saba and St Barts this morning. She must have gotten up late or forgot!!!

Besides my glass is empty! That is not a good thing --- ok reminder to self, got to go to the grocery tomorrow to pick up more wine!!! And KLM just landed, life is good, never get tired of that! (g)

Eric

Ok, had a double post, internet funky here this afternoorn. Deleted the double post.

Also Carol has pictures already.. more to come...

Do you like pictures of RIBS AND WINE??????

Just asking?

Never mind, you will probably see them anyway.

Aha! Now I know where you are....was wondering why I had not heard from Carol after completing the last few parts of a trip report.

Sooooooooooo, what's for dinner??!!

Great report. We will be there in October. Can’t wait. The Divi is improving every day.

Tonight, AHHHH

How does Sirloin sound on the grill with salad, wine etc,, some potatoes there somewhere!

Got the stuff for Mimosis (sp) in the morning, does that count? Oh, yes there might be some other food also...… but eggs, slice ham, etc are not In that same league. But will try to make do the best we can. Such hardship you know! (G)

Everything sounds wonderful! How was the parking at Carrefour?

OK, I see Eric has blown our cover. I had thought to keep it intact for another day or so. However, other than the vegetation, Beachside looks like nothing ever happened here. It is beautiful, perfect, the ocean is such a sparkling blue, life is good!

We’re glad y’all are having a great start to your vacation! And we’re so glad the seaweed is finally gone! Have fun, can’t wait for the pictures! By the way, they have brand new coolers and some used umbrellas in the pool shack! Enjoy!

He just couldn't help himself, Carol. He seems VERY happy to be there as I'm sure you are too. Enjoy your anniversary!
Can't wait for your photos.
Cheers

Yes, we are happy. Thanks for the good wishes!

Ah, too late! We already rented a cooler and an umbrella from Craig from Packlight! No worries, it's all good!

Can't give the man a laptop and the Wifi code and expect it to stay secret.

What unit are you in?

What's the deal with #11? The furniture was different outside, was always open and didn't appear fully repaired, but it seemed 3 guys were staying there. Construction workers?

And if no one feels like cooking breakfast, one of you (Eric) can go to Maho Market and get things from the breakfast bar. Good eggs, hash browns, bacon, etc. Put it on a plate and let the other think you made it! lol Johnny Cakes!

#11 is privately owned. It was in disrepair for YEARS and YEARS and they finally fixed it up, and then Irma happened..

Thanks for checking in. Enjoy!

I agree with everything in perspective. People were saying if you've never been don't go now but going now they will see it with different eyes & guaranteed to have a good time.

At least when we got there, think it was around 4pm on Thursday. Maybe we were lucky, but there was at least 6 to 10 parking spots available. Will see how it goes next time.

Thanks for "blowing" your cover. Keep us in the loop.

Well, we drove today to the French side, and I have to say that it wasn't as bad as I expected. I guess that I have been steeling myself for months to see it for the first time, but it wasn't bad. ..or as bad as I thought it would be, I guess. We had a FABULOUS lunch at Tropicana, now we're in for the evening, I think. When I finally gather the energy, will get some pictures posted..

Take a drive on the East side of the French side starting on the east end of Phillipsburg all the way to Orient. You'll get an eye full. So Sad.

As I said, it really wasn't as bad, going to Orient, as I expected. Grand Case is a ghost town, and the street makes it much worse, because they are putting the cables there in the street, and it is extremely bumpy going through there.

Did you go along the east end of the island or just up through Marigot and Grand case to get to Orient?

Sorry, the east end?? We went Marigot, Grand Case, Orient, yes..

Agree Carol... i was here January it was horrible, but now , today , it has come back 100 fold. My husband would not walk over there to see the destruction on orient ... we had a great day today on his beloved Orient. Rode around and he said , for a small island its not that bad. We went to Prickly pear yesterday and spoke to a lot , to many people, they told us, they were told to put the garbage at the end of their streets, days after Irma. And the next day the trash was removed. They worked day and nite, once they cleared their streets, then the power and water personnel were able to do do their job. We were told the French side is taking longer because they have to share the clean up with St Barths, and because they are a more affluent island, they received the help faster..again its getting better and better ..

Have fun. Glad you made it back. Sounds like there are some good things happening in Orient Village if you can fit it in for dinner. Gonna miss the Dreams big steak pics.

Carol, are you guys gonna find a new place for prime rib?
I was just thinking about those prime rib photos from Dreams. We had planned on going there.

Yeah, that was a wonderful meal for sure!! Don't know that there is any way we will be able to match that.

I bet Eric could find some potatoes, possibly lots of potatoes, and make you some great potato surprises! 😊😊

Welcome back.

Referring to the eastern side of the island before you get to Orient. Areas just past Oyster Pond heading north looked very bad.

Pat-- No potatoes, YET, but there's still time!

Scuba--no, we didn't drive toward Oyster Pond.

Just one word----ENJOY!!!!!

If he finds them again, and if you can convince him to stay long enough, you could always make vodka, no? 😀😀

Nah, we don't drink vodka...

Eric looked at the onions, thinking about French onion soup, and I told him NO!!!

Scuba - I think you may be referring to Coralita area? I agree, that was hit pretty hard.

Yes. The area between oyster and orient.