TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trip Report - Day 1B

Day 1B - Day 1A started in St Louis on Thursday and ended in San Juan thanks to weather, fuel, and Delta. Day 1B started in San Juan and ended in SXM. Rented a car as usual from angela@horizoncarrentals.com She did an "above the call" effort waiting to deliver our car. Frig was stocked also as usual by Jeannie at www.shopndropgrocerysxm.com This first week + we're staying at Villa Cleavage. An Air BnB, owned by Topper and his daughter. It's high up the hill above Simpson Bay Resort. First meal was at St Maarten Yacht Club. Our favorite, Grouper Fingers($12.). Served by friendly, first year server Desiree(sp) . Thankfully, Brian has changed back to his original receipe so the crust was wonderfully crisp. A short(losing) stop at Casino Royale in Maho. They have free valet parking which is handy as we were also stopping by Hole In The Wall to hear Bob Baron singing along with Ronnie Santana on Guitar. Had an interesting conservation with a "slightly toasted" Chief Engineer from one of the big sailing vessels anchored in the lagoon.
Pics are on Facebook at moment. Working on moving.

I understand the weather/rain played havoc with a lot of flights one day. Hope it gets better.

Always enjoy your reports...please post more on your rental when you can...have looked at this for possible future stays. Am curious to hear specifically about security/ safety issues. Thx!

I too am interested in more information on that rental topper has. Is it part of his personal home on the hill?

Our place is part of Topper's home, however we're on the lower level with really no access to his living area or pool.

Ok. Thank for that information.

Hi Norm I too have been reading your reports for years and would love to know more about it, security, safety and location. Thanks

Yes Norm, please let us know how the Villa works out as this is/was our plan B we picked out during the protests for our up coming trip.
Thanks!

Hi Norm, Back once again I see. Will you be there in May? If so we can share a meal again. Where did they get the name for the villa you are staying at this visit? Just wondering. Did you take any of your stained glass work to share with others. Anxious to see your photos.

Daisy, The place is well lit with cameras, gates with heavy locks or chain and locks. Parking area is lit and on camera. Topper's home, being at the top of the hill took damage from Irma. Still a lot of big glass on home have plywood.

Hi Larry, Sadly, this will be our only trip for 2020. I still bring "fused glass" gifts for special people. I'll try to post some pics as I deliver them. You can always see some of my work at Tijon in Grand Case. They have about 20 or 25 pieces for sale.

Here's a look of first real day in SXM and Villa Cleavage.

thanks for the pics!

Norm-- curious about Villa Cleavage. Topper gave us a tour of the studio last year. At the time he said they were going to put in a small private pool for the studio apartment. I'm just wondering if they ever did it. Thanks.

Sorry, see no sign of it.

Thanks. I thought that might be the case. You might ask Topper about it if you are comfortable doing so.