TravelTalkOnline Forums Trip Reports (Read Only) SXM Trip Reports and Photos 1st timers trip report finally 4/4 to 4/11

First timers to the carribbean also.....so.....first lets say WOW what an island and a second WOW for this wont be the last time either ! <br><br>We left ORL-SJU-SXM (orlando) on Friday 4/4 on AA 805am flight, check in a breeze, showed tickets, passport, off to the gate we went......didnt check luggage - we had two 19" carry-ons, back pack and hubby had his "baby" (an 18" soft sided cooler) at the gate small line for x-ray baggage machine...no hassles, didnt open up anything, guess they could see the contents on the x-ray tv screen.....flight took off 5 min. early.....changed planes in sju, had an hour in between flights, enough time for 2 drinks before boarding....filled out immigration card on the plane.....what a beautiful view landing got a couple good photos landing and leaving too, would of been a bit better if we werent as close to the wing, but still very good arial photos from above ....took bus to terminal thru customs, waited aprox. 30 mins. to do that....walked out side by the car rental agents and there was Leslie Bruce with Kenny's car rental waiting for us.....went to the car in the parking lot about 5 min. later he was on his way and so were we, quick, personable service just what we likewill definately use him again .....in such a rush to get out of the airport we didnt grab any flyers, etc. good thing i had my trusty map thanks to Ray Mann off we went ,,,,stopped at 7-alive for the beer....drove thru marigot trying to find Le Meridien hotel..not that hard at all......up the HUGE hill we went....then all the curves,,,,,and WOW what a VIEW ! [img]/images/icons2/spook.gif[/img]hang on is all i have to say.....check in a breeze.....walk in first room to left is bathroom, small refrigerator bar on top, then 2nd left is bathroom (like the toilet being separate)... nice [img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img] 2 sinks, tub/hand held shower, 2 queen beds, digital safe (free), tv w/showtime, 2 decent size dressers, nice chair, a nice triple closet with sliding doors, and 1 part had shelves to put your clothes on and the outside part had a long mirror [img]/images/icons2/smile.gif[/img]nice room, 2 reclining chairs outside on the porch, had the ground floor room, would open the sliders in the morning/evening, close the shutters and let the cool breeze in.....ahhhh...the grounds were beautiful, they have 2 big pools with swim up bar, hot tubs, couple restaruants, huge outside bar, and anese marcel beach is lovely set in a cove surrounded by mountains, nice.....canopies with beach chairs, towels, kyack's, floats all included...hit the beach after check in; swam for a while then in the pool....off to shower....decided to stay at the hotel for dinner, didnt want to drive to grand case in the dark not knowing....ate at Belle France, I thought it was quite good, I had poached red snapper w/christophines and cream sauce ...mmmmmm, Al had grilled ribeye w/ginger sauce, sauteed potatoes, veggies (didnt like) great bread, 2 hines/1glass rose'wine bill was 60 bucks, no room for desert. Walked around the hotel grounds in the evening, across the street are small shoppes, couple small restaurants also, I went in the store to buy a phone card - after i came out of the store al looked pissed, some french lady hissed at him, then he asks how much i paid, told him 9 bucks - card says 8 euros - so she got me by 20 cents really ticked him off then, told him that lady is just pissed off cause shes working setting up her boutique while were on vacation at 10pm happy and smiling.....back to the hotel for a drink to calm the nerves....while at the bar a man walked by us we said hi, he said hi, kept walking, then a minute or two later he turns around and says "let me introduce myself I'm jon' the hotel manager.....what a delightful man is all i can say, gave us LOTS of tips on where to eat in g.c., etc......been with the meridien over 20 yrs. in sxm only 1-1/1months...said if we found out some good things to let him know so he could pass the word along to others.....Al was VERY happy after that conversation, realized that not everyone on the french side is a but hole...off to bed for an early rising for Al's b.day....the reason why we even went to sxm, a b.day present from me to him ......<br><br>I kept track of things up until the 3rd day....then ?????....so i went by the receipts after that and memory[img]/images/icons2/crazy.gif[/img]so here goes....the weather we couldnt complain about, first 2-3 days was very cloudy all day, rained hard first 2 nites but after we arrived back home [img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img]the 1am rain storm, some mornings it would rain also around 8/9 am but by 11-12 sun was blaring....left florida 82 degrees for 86 so we were glad it was overcast....otherwise we'd really be sunburned....put 45 spf everday all the time and peeled some when i came home...similar but different weather....everyone else was complaining around us for the skies to be clear and the water to be clear and no waves, but we liked it, made it more exciting[img]/images/icons2/grin.gif[/img]...<br><br>Sat. was beautiful [img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img][img]/images/icons2/umbrella.gif[/img]Al's b.day....had a breakfast buffet included to die for, even a chef to make you omlets...mmmm...those pastries to die for...Al got hooked on the pineapple too...we ventured out early to Phillipsburg for rum, cigars, and to introduce ourselves to Jeff and Deepti, what a guy Jeff is, a man of my own heart, Deepti stepped out which worked out great, while Al smoked his cigar outside Jeff and I got to know eachother and what a wonderful conversation we had, one i'll never forget either......a beautiful person you are Jeff, really glad we met you and Deepti too.....Grand Marche on the dutch side....our money spent better over there....bought 2 cases hiney's, cheese, crackers, cola, ice, bread, sweets the bill was $110 my jaw dropped [img]/images/icons2/yikes.gif[/img]then they converted it to like 66 bucks [img]/images/icons2/smile.gif[/img]much better....wish i would of seen the sign on the wall the first time in the store instead of the last time in the store.....packers are not paid by grand marche.....on the way to the airport to grab a 12 pack brews i seen the sign, felt like a loser, gave the kid a couple bucks, boy was he [img]/images/icons2/grin.gif[/img] so much for so little, told him i didnt see the sign the other day so he lucked out, thanked me alot, probably thought i was french ! [img]/images/icons2/rofl.gif[/img]<br><br>Hit numerous beaches, drove around site seeing, really cloudy out, not too good of beach weather good day for seeking the island....only made it to phillipsburg took pixs of some beaches not sure which one though then hit dawn beach didnt get out though too rough went to orient - I went topless, Al went nude, didnt take him long once he seen 1-2 couples walking the beach nude, were by boo boo jams, what an afternoon drinkin, swimmin'.....just about sundown off to shower then Mary Boons for dinner, 7pm reservations...met Dicky for the first time, had a drink he told us he we couldnt have dinner there, al didnt care too much as long as he had a cold one, driving there was fun to say the least, in the dark, traffic...ugghhhh....after the 1st drink, al comes out of the bathroom dicky says "let me show you to your table" Al said "I didnt think we were eating here" dicky [img]/images/icons2/rofl.gif[/img] " and you believed me?", yes.....what a b.day surprise is all i have to say.....contact Dicky if you want to do something SPECIAL he's the man to talk to, what an OUTSTANDING meal, beef tenderloin that melted in your mouth, stuffed potatoes, fresh green beans, excellent salad, and what a dessert ! [img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img] worth every penny....had our own private dinner with frank our guard dog, feet in sand, champaigne flowing, Al [img]/images/icons2/grin.gif[/img][img]/images/icons2/grin.gif[/img]from ear to ear....even broke a tear out for me....after 2 coconut drinks, bottle champainge he was feeling no pain, the women there treat you like royalty, Al was flirting up a storm with them, they even sang him happy b.day made his day so wonderful that there is no price to pay for that look ! and i would of paid more if we went to grand case for dinner and would of gotton much less in the service....Boy is that one to remember.....he had no clue ....now he understood why i was on the computer so much for the past 2 months before leaving ....doing my homework.....and what a loveable guy Dicky is, a real gem have as a friend [img]/images/icons2/smile.gif[/img], closed down hot tomatoes after dinner needless to say i drove home up the hill and down the curves and turns [img]/images/icons2/yikes.gif[/img][img]/images/icons2/spook.gif[/img]....had me some [img]/images/icons2/madoudou.gif[/img] when we got back for sure - now my turn....<br><br>Sun. another venture out day.....hitting a couple beaches ??? ate a Lees split the mahi-mahi rice/salad, more than enough for us both, had a lambada mmmmm.....al 2 beers then off to more beaches....the beaches we did hit were dawn, frairs, bai rouge, simpson bay, but made it back to orient almost everyday by 4/5 pm to drop our drawers and swim in the buff...and late enough to find chairs and not have to pay for them, only once did we and the guy charged me 5 bucks for 2 [img]/images/icons2/grin.gif[/img] friendliest place to be at and the water is absolutely georgous down at that end, nothing like by boo boo jams, much rougher down there and not as clear or warm to us anyway?? sure do like the idea of being topless too, Al dont mind either ....I'm sure[img]/images/icons2/cool.gif[/img].....as for places we ate at were L'Auberge Gourmande, first time we had escargot pretty good too ! free drink to get us in, crowded for a sunday, parked for 3 bucks by le pressor lot, next night was Fish Pot (Cottage was closed) had the cream brulee first time for that and mmmmmmm is all i can say ! We also ate at Friars Bay Beach Club Mon. afternoon had the tuna steak was to DIE FOR, Al had fried calamari and garlic mussels TO DIE FOR ALSO, highly recommend it, their menu is 3x as long as Kali's next door, excellent drinks, even gave al a BIG glass of ginger rum that they made, he likes that "nitro fuel" as we call it.....Tues was Baywatch....mussels in red sauce.....mmmmm good....al had fish sandwhich belive mahi mahi also very very good....ate at hot tomatoes 2 nites, had the white pizza, verry verry good fresh veggies mmmmm...Al ordered the brisket negril but was way too spicey hot for him and for dicky, good thing that pizza was BIG for both of us...gave the other dinner to the dogs on the street so not to waste....ate at lees again the last night on the island had yellow fin snapper VERY good grilled gave you the whole fish on the bone, Al had 3-1/2 lb lobster, said it was ok, but never again (didnt dare tell him what i'd heard didnt want to spoil his meal)....they had a small band playing metal drums, familiar songs people even dancing, wonderful atmosphere that nite....and more lombada drinks for me mmmm......oh and had ribs to go didnt want to miss out on them, ate them the next am on the way to the airport for early check in - worked out fine no line about 10am hand searched both bags, checked both, AA checked us in all the way thru to Orlando so not to worry in SJU - paid the departure tax and back to the beach and to pick up some items from DK Gems, yes, my sweet girl friend Deepti played dress up with me the day before - had to stop by while booze shopping before we leave - THANKS a million for treating me so well, for introducing us to your wonderful family and for your friendship especially, what a sweetie, Al was cracking jokes with Jeff her brother the whole time while i was looking - thanks for your help in entertaining Al too, Jeff even learned a trick or two out of it and some interesting stories you both have now i'm sure.....<br><br>Couldnt believe the price of some medicines at the french pharmacy, cheap cheap compared to home - also went to the mad-do (sp?) factory on our way out to the airport, 9am and he was open, made sure we got our fix before we left....even some aloe shampoo too. <br><br>Hit the hot tomatoes party on tues. small group of 8 we were, even got a free ride on the celine to show us what were in for the next night.....Jeff and Deepti made it there also, very nice people......Neil from Celine too.......couldnt of asked for a nicer place to visit, felt like long lost friends.......met some other TTOL'ers too.....chris/paul, charlie/peggy, alan.....didnt meet up with any others, too busy going going going .....<br><br>Day trips were to pinel island, explored the whole island hiked all around, snorkeled, about 3/4 hours later back to explore the rest of sxm, found the dump cause it was close to the hotel. Also did a sailing trip on Random Wind on a Wed. Barbara and Martin did a WONDERFUL job ....had a BLAST sailing full boar with the sail up, wind in your hair, 8am-430 lunch, booze, all included......couldnt have asked for better hosts, hats off to both of you....highly recommend it, martin is one heck of a sailor too, rough seas but sailed it like a champ ! Bought t-shirts from boons and random wind for souvineers for us 2, got couple harley shirts, and 10-15 others from phillipsburg for the crew at home and post cards too.<br><br>Brought 5 throw-away cameras with us, all pix came out GREAT, 2 were underwater cameras, WONDERFUL things they are ! quite a few "good" underwater shots too i must say, the clear water is great for that ! <br><br>Parking - the hotel charges 6 bucks/day to park in a lot close to the hotel, otherwise you have to park at the lot before the guarded gate shack and walk a mile or so.....we paid....less walking the better.....esp. after a good night out.....and at grand case we paid the local boys 5 bucks the 2nd night to park instead of the 3 they wanted - they even made some guy move his car just so we could park there and told him to go down the street to park - (they remembered Al the hippie guy with his long hair from the night before) a little goes a LONG way over there you'd be surprised....thats where we learned "its all about RESPECT" the local boys chatted with us a bit when we went back to the car a couple hours later, asking us how our dinner was, how we liked sxm, etc., very very nice people [img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img] the locals are heartwarming to say the least, every single one we met.....while on the same subject we left the maid 3 bucks everyday for cleaning our hotel room just for that little bit we got 4 face cloths; 5 towels; more shampoo/soap one could use in a week, and the tile floors were not sticky any more! .....even left the waitresses at the breakfast buffet a couple bucks a day you'd be suprised at how fast you get your hot water for tea in the am [img]/images/icons2/grin.gif[/img]......im sure alot of us dont cause they pay alot of money for their hotel room but you'd be surprised just a litlle you get ALOT in return, even a good morning from the maids rather than not looking at you at all or speaking french knowing you speak english.....made our trip ALOT better.<br><br>Al was quite the character when we first arrived .....for the first 2 nites all he could say was "where did you take me? this is a shaky place....cause the drive to and from marigot was not that impressive as the rest of the island, but by the 3rd day/nite after speaking to the locals and seeing how they live, he learned to respect them for what they do, what they have, etc., to say the least they live better than some of the bums here in the states for sure ! <br><br>Packed too much, only wore 1 pair sandals out of 3..brought frisbee and books to read, neither of them used....never had problem with safety.....felt safe at all times day and night....no problems cashing travelers checks no id to cash them either only took drivers license 1 cc couple bucks everyday and t.c.'s.back packed towels for venturing out Al had the cooler.....at least that got used highly......next time we pack 1 suitcase so we can fill the other when coming back.,,,,,with goodies that is.....driving was great....what a challenge....Al said he's in for a ticket for sure ......first day back he was doing 90 in his truck....ut oh........sure do miss that windex blue water, nothing like that here in central florida, might have the heat but not the water ! bummer ! <br><br>I guess that sums it up.....flight home was pretty good, checked our bags so we only had to carry the backpack, cooler and box of maudo, customs was a breeze, tops 20 min. in line, then to get luggage, had dog sniffer by the cooler told the guy only thing he's gona find is a brewskie, he told the dog no siesta's lets go after he sniffed for a minute or two......other line for immigration was a breeze......only asked Al if he had meat in his cooler said no beer....they waived him on....didnt even look in it.........didnt have to check in at the gate they even took our bags before we got to the xray machines for the carryons....off with my shoes.....still a breeze all the way....and sju airport is quite nice, clean, 1 hour was enough for connections too.......boarded plane very easily. ....one loud drunk on the first leg from sxm to sju, then on the second leg some lady changed seats with someone else so her and her kids can sit together and when the stewardess found out.....holy hell broke loose.....AA wound up selling the same seat to 2 diff. people, they needed 5 volunteers first 2 got $350 last 3 got $450, if was $550 we would of went.....needless to say we were 10 min. late to take off arrived late.....what a rucus that seating was, enough to drive you crazy ...people [img]/images/icons2/argue.gif[/img][img]/images/icons2/sad.gif[/img]....good thing Al had more than a 6 pack for us to drink ! .....nice to be home to our 3 dogs, other than that wish we were still there .......having SXM withdrawals......both of us......Already told Al i want to go to sxm for my b.day in Oct......so were already planning.....thanks for the friendships on this TTOL board and Dicky for making us feel like life long friends even though we just met you, Frank for keeping us from missing our 3 doggies, Jeff and Deepti for their humor and friendship also, Brad, Cindy and Gabe with Hot Tomatoes, Chris/Paul, Charlie/Peggy and Allan......what a wonderful week in paradise we had....and it wont be the last for us in sxm.......thanks again to all for helping us have the trip of a lifetime and a birthday that Al will NEVER FORGET ! 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