TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin First Full Day

Good morning all,

Our experience thus far is very much like what Pat has posted. Postcard perfect conditions..without the people. Went to Carrefour to stock up, and the to Croissant Royal in Marigot for breakfast. Never get tired of the nice view, the croissants of course, or the French coffee. Another observation..I don't think we've ever been thanked so much for making the effort to come to the island. The sentiments are truly genuine and heartfelt, and just reinforces all the reasons we've come for 32 years. Went to Ace and got a nice beach umbrella for an excellent price. It's got the sand screw on the bottom, and was a snap to put up in the soft sand in from of Beachside. A beautiful day for the beach! A few rollers surf-wise, but as I look out the window right now, it's a good bit flatter today so surely in for several swims. Tried the new Sublime in Maho last night..Tasha had a caprese and the lamb chops, and I had the scallops app and the ribeye. Both delicious! The staff is very attentive, and also very welcoming. When the manager asked about our experience, I asked him to add us to the reservations for Friday. Nuff said. Made the trip over to Red Piano for a nightcap, excellent music as per usual, and always glad to see bartender Nick, and have one of his "little Guiness" shots, which is Patron coffee liquor topped with Bailey's.

Headed next door to El Zafiro when it opens at 9 for eggs benedict, and then headed into town to check out the Boardwalk. Juggie's is having a Christmas toy drive, so we picked up a soccer ball to donate, and then maybe to Holland House for lunch, bit of shopping etc.

One more thing..the extra step in the immigration process to scrutinize your COVID test report and pre-admission form was a snap. Added very little time to the process. The funny thing is, they must have gone back and retroactively approved all our denials, because we're getting 3 or 4 emails for temperature checks each morning. It takes about 5 seconds, so no bid deal. I was speaking to an EHAS employee while in line, and she said they are struggling with the approval process software. She says it's automated and scans the lab test looking for keywords it needs to see. If the report has a signature or any handwriting, it's usually booted..apparently it also doesn't like things like check boxes, or where both potential results are listed, with the actual result circled or checked. She said it clearly was not working as intended, and required a great deal of manual intervention. When you send an email, they will pull up your info and the scan you submit, and if it checks you then get an pre-approval. There was a lady ahead of us that managed to get on the plane without a test or paperwork, and they were taking her to get a test.

The test report we got for our rapid test looked like a fax cover sheet, with Negative circled and some brief info about the test used and the supervising physician. I knew that wouldn't fly, so I asked if there was anything else they could provide. The doctor completed the form they use to submit results to the county and printed those for us. Much better format, and listed the Becton-Dickinson Veritor device as the testing medium. The device just has an LCD screen that shows the type of test cartridge that was just loaded, and then a plus or minus sign for the result after about 15 minutes. Doesn't connect to a printer or generate a formal lab report like a full PCR test does when sent to Quest, etc.

Well, I've kept myself occupied with this while waiting for El Zafiro's restaurant to open, so off we go. Enjoy your day wherever you are, and we'll do the same.

Thanks for the report. Hard to imagine someone could actually board the plane without test results. Enjoy or stay and looking forward to more reports.

Thanks for the update on the procedure with regard to the test results. No wonder so many people are having problems these days.

Glad you arrived, and enjoy!!

PS--If you could post some pictures, that would be lovely!!

Gomer, when you went to Croissant Royal, how did you get to them? Last time we passed the road by them there was a big fence around the area and I couldn't see a way in. We love it there too!

Good morning Bill and Elaine,
Take the pass thru toward the water before the one that leads directly to the restaurant, as the one we all usually use is indeed fenced off for construction. My point of reference is walking from the parking lot off the traffic roundabout. I hate the parking spots on the street as backing out into traffic there is a bit hairy. You'd think it was Le Mulsane straight at Le Mans.

Thank you sooooo much! Going to try to get to the butcher tomorrow morning and perhaps breakfast at CR after.

You're quite welcome! We just might see you there.

Would appreciate hearing more about your trip, Gomer!

I'm sorry Carol..I've been a very poor correspondent. I'll build a post tomorrow. Sitting at the Sunset watching the planes and working on a bucket of Coronas. It's so strange no having the cruise crush about. I hate it for the good folks that rely on the business..but I must admit I'm enjoying the lack of traffic. Imagine being at Pineapple Pete's for lunch and being the only table.

gomer--I didn't mean to guilt you. It's just we are all envious of those of you who have managed to get to SXM..

gomer,

Every time we’ve driven through that area we’ve had the same thoughts. Sadness for those who’ve lost their jobs and revenue but we kinda’ really like not having to dodge the walkers more intent on drinking their drinks and seeing the planes than they are about the traffic they’re walking in front of.

I know exactly what you're saying Pat! Way too many close calls through there..especially with folks walking that center divider and falling off in front of you. On the positive side..I do like the new Beacon Hill security check point. We had a scooter follow us all the way to the gate at BSV last trip, and I'm happy with the added safety.

pat and gomer--for sure, we often hold our breaths, driving by there at Sunset.

DH likes to kid with everyone so the first evening he encountered the security people he stopped and when they asked him where he was going he said “is this the road to Saba?” and I thought the female was going to pee her pants. The guy with her wasn’t nearly as amused but they remember him now each time he’s come through since then.

The first couple of nights we were here Sunset Beach Bar didn’t even appear to be open. Sad to see so many places just barely surviving. They really are happy to see us visitors, for sure.

That's a hoot Pat! Right up there with one I heard on a cruise.."does this elevator go to the front of the ship?"

This morning, at Croissant Royal..

https://www.dropbox.com/s/i4vh56g4p0dyvyq/20201205_080557.jpg?dl=0

gomer--dropbox doesn't work real well here. If you remember, you can upload directly here, using the "Use Full Editor" tab, and then attachment manager..

Sublime at it's new location in Maho..

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uwcrhyc0b6a9m2t/20201201_190137.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gfp40bcn3tefllb/20201201_190128.jpg?dl=0

[img]https://www.dropbox.com/s/ohub4ivi35l9cp7/20201205_060233.jpg?dl=0[/img]

gomer--I don't know how they appear on your screen when you view them here, but when I click on your pics, 1/3 of the pic is hidden behind a box.

Sorry Carol..showing up OK on my laptop. I'll try to sort it out later. Beach calling.

Pics look fine to me...never accessed Dropbox before

Works for me too.

That coffee look so good!!

I love when it's made fresh like that.

Thank-you for all the photos!!!

Don't know, may depend on your browser. I am only seeing half of the pictures.

Box is on mine too, but I click the X in the top right corner it disappears

Believe me Lurker..it's my pleasure!