TravelTalkOnline Forums Trip Reports (Read Only) SXM Trip Reports and Photos SXM Just got back 10/00

Flew down on the 28th (Sat), got back this Sunday. Close to our 30th trip. The whole Island was the cleanest I've ever seen. P'burg and M'got were even clean. The people of the St Maarten Pride need to be commended on a job well done. Now they need to do some PR work to get the idea of "no trash" as a standard for the Island.<br>Met Bob on Cupecoy. The beach is slowly coming back. They actualy are getting some sand by the Ocean Club. Also went a few times to Dawn and Ms B's. Great girl, knows how to treat her customers. Free punch and pads on the lounges. Water was pretty calm and the snorkeling was excellant. The Royal Islander is all back together and very nice. Our section is still waiting for new furniture, but the appliances are new. The Maho hotel, the stores on that side and the street is under construction. The Maho was supposed to open on the 4th but it's pushed back to the 18th. Going to be tight. <br>Had dinners at Banana, Lee's, Marios, Boat House, Room 2403, Sabastianos, Escargo(sp), and Saratoga. Everyone was excellent. Missed Bob at Bananas on Saturday. Lee's was our second choice after an aborted attempt at lobster at Seafood Gallery. Were going to use the Caribbean Card from MrSXM. No lobsters, even though we called ahead like they suggested. We got 2- 2 pounders at Lee's, ate half and took the rest back for lobster salad lunches. Bombed out on the CC at the Boat House too. No one knew what to do with the card. Oh well, the fish was great as usual. Like to thank all you guys on the Mario's Bistro. It was EXCELLENT. Got a table on the water. I am fussy about my duck and will not order it unless I have a recommendation. Every one on this BB except one raved about it. Figured the odds of 50 to 1 was worth the risk. It was in the excellent catigory. My wike is a french onion soup freak. I like it too, but I get a salad so we kind of share. We both thought their version was the best we've had. It was very tasty and not just salty onion water. Thanks again, looks like this will be a regular stop. Went out with Norma and Rolland (Cupecoy) to Escargo. Had the rack of lamb. It was perfect. By the way they will be opening a Lo Lo, chair, and jet ski conssesion on the new downtown beach. He's still keeping their places at Cupecoy and Orient. Isn't free enterprise great. They will be visiting us for a week next September. Christine at Sabastianos was her usual pleasent self., and the foos was excellent as always. Bets seafood pasta anywhere. John at Saratoga made us the best snapper dinner we've ever had. It was huge and juicy, couldn't finish it. <br>Most of our breakfasts were eaten in. Went for our usual bruch at St Garman. Great crepe's and off to the market and some shopping. Boy did I luck out, the stores were closed for a bankers holiday. (got nailed at the end of the week, can't win. Another thanks was the Village Baker on the access road to Pelican. All great stuff. After breakfat got their Pizza to go twice. Great snack food. Zee best kind of bombed this time really burned the frech toast. Wife tried to eat it but the flavor was throughout. It was removed from the check, hey s__ happens.<br>Loved the new road from P'burg, then I turned on to the "road" to oyster pond. Went back on the high road out of Dawn Beach. <br>All in all it was a great trip, good weather warm water dry air. great people. Had a very nice chat with the girl at immigration. Don't know where these grumpy SXMers are. I didn't find any. Almost forgot. Thanks for the tip. After a little searching and finally asking a local, zeroed in on the "factory". After a bunch of sampling, purchased some bottles to stuff in the suit cases. Great stuff. <br>Gatta go, wifes cooking din din. Is April really that far away. Oh well got my <br><br>Jack&Rita_S<br>PS I didn't edit this, so please excuse to typos & spelling<br><br><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Administrator on 11/13/00 12:34 PM.</EM></FONT></P>