TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Final Trip Report

Week 2 & 3
Another tradition for us is Sunday Breakfast. John went down to La Suciere and bought a quiche Lorraine and Croissants. Eating these on our balcony looking at eh ocean is so peaceful. Sunday evening is pizza night. We love the pizza from Isola! Monday went to Grand Case and had dinner at Bistrot Carribes. Appetizers were Smoked Salmon with toast points, Endive Salado with blue cheese, Caesar Salad and Escargot. Entrees were Sea Bass, Lamb Chops and Filet. Everything was amazing. Service, of course, was stellar. We left about 9pm and the streets were really quiet. It’s a shame Grand Case hasn’t come back. We’ve had a couple pf rainy mornings but the afternoons have always been sunny. Quite windy at times. On Wednesday we want to the Greenhouse in Simpson Bay. Always good. Bang Bang shrimp wraps and Band Bang Chicken Wraps. Yum!

By Saturday the world changed.

Debated on whether to go or stay. Decided to extend our stay till April 1st then the travel ban was to expire and changing the flight was fairly easy. Grocery stores were stioo fully stocjked and life seemed good. That changed quickly. Bars and restaurants and stores were ordered closed. Thee resort began to empty out. We woke up Wed. very early to discover our new flight was canceled. Had a new flight booked by 6:30 am. Others were jot so lucky. Lots of stories of people not being to get flights and getting conflicting information from airlines. JD’s experience seems to be typical of many. We were VERY fortunate.

We left Friday the 21st. We were told to get to the airport very early because it would be mobbed. We arrived about 10:15am for our 2:10pm flight and it was not bad at all. There were maybe 20 of us waiting for the United counter to open and a few more for American. United open their counter rat 11:10 after spraying very surface imaginable with Lysol. The staff was very pleasant and efficient. We were the 1st ones through immigration and security and there was literally no one else in the departure area. All the stores, restaurants and bars there were open. Plane got in early and left a bit early. When we left, I noticed that the area where all the private jets usually park was devoid of planes.

Arrived in Newark about 6:30pm. There was not a sole in the immigration hall ahead of our plane. Talk about speedy processing! Thee Marriott airport hotel was almost deserted, nor bar or restaurant ser ice. Had a VERY limited room service menu with no alcohol! Leaving the next morning, there was no TSA pre-check line, only a single security line that mover VERY slowly. Took probably 30 minutes. Beyond security is was very quiet with all bars, restaurants and stores closed. Had just a few kiosks selling prepackaged food. Our plane on to Detroit was mostly empty as was the Detroit airport.
Utterly amazing how quickly life can change. We were sad to have lost 11 days in paradise but glad to be home, even if it’s in lockdown here. Before we left, we were able to exchange our week 12 for week 13 next year so we have 4 weeks to look forward to next year.

Thanks for the report but sorry we did not get to meet this trip. Very glad you got home.

We will meet up next year for sure!

Glad you made it home safe.

Thanks for your report; glad you are back home safely. Also appreciate all your pictures on Facebook.

Thanks for the report. Sorry you missed part of your trip but glad you got home OK.