TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Day 5...

Well....all i can say is that i feel very lucky to be able to do SXM for three weeks. This morning, we got up and left a bit earlier than normal heading over th Orient. Our timeshare gets ''made up'' on wednesday, and realized that half of week one is gone already!! Well, we made it to Orient, was going to lounge, but the wind was so bad, that before we sat, decided to leave ant try again tomorrow. So, we headed back, but decided to see the condition Grand CAse is in...since most of the time we are only there at night. It is nice, that the main road is finally finished being fixed. I think first time in many many years!!! It was getting towards lunch, so decided to stop at the LOLOS, and went to our fave, Talk of the Town. We both ordered a chicken and rib combo, had two cokes between us, and the bill came to a whopping thirty bucks. We easily could've split the meal, but now we have lunch next time we hang around. The ribs and chicken, once again were super. Full rack, half chicken, salad fries and coleslaw. I really don't know how they stay in business with those prices, but the food is so amazing there.

Finished lunch, went back to the Royal Islander, and just vegged around the pool. It was still breezy and a bit cooler than normal, but it was much more tolerable than the beach was. Few hours later, it was time for a nap.

Tonight we decided to do a restaurant we have never been to before...Sale and Pepe. After hearing so many great reviews both here, and on facebook, we had very high expectations!! As soon as we walked into this place, we were impressed. Great reception area, nice bar, very well lit, modern decor, and then out back the tables overlooking the lagoon is one of the prettiest settings i have seen. Well, the place did not disappoint at all. I ordered the veal chop, my wife had sea bass. If my Veal chop wasn't the best I have ever eaten, it is definitely in the top three!!!! Total awesomeness in every bite...and my wife was really enjoying her fish dish also. Service was fantastic, so between location, view, food, service, and now my new best friend Davide...the owner, the place may be the best, or one of the finest restaurants on the island now. It is easy to see why all the reviews I have read over the last couple of years are all raving fans.

After dinner, it was the typical stop at Casino Royale, and for a while i thought i was just going to make a deposit, but after playing for probably close to two hours, i got back just about all i played...so i walked out of there feeling i was a winner!! I am still amazed, how quiet things are here, especially since this week usually follows the regatta, and is usually one of the biggest weeks tourist wise during the year. Really praying that these businesses that have stepped up to the plate, still offering the best customer service, despite of losing so much business, can hang on just a little while longer. Not sure which hurt them more, Irma or Covid. Surely a double punch either way.

So, today didn't go quite as planned, but still was a GREAT FUN FILLED day here on our island. Again folks that are on the fence....don't wait any further, book those flights, hotels, villas or whatever, and COME ON DOWN. You will not regret your decision....and the people of SXM will thank you in spades. More to follow.

Ed, did you drive to Sal & Pepe or did you walk? if you drove did you have trouble finding parking?

Parking there is easy. Not only are there spots in front but more around the side in a sort of recessed shopping center that's closed in evenings.

Great read, Ed.

My honest feeling about Casino Royale, or any of them for that matter, is IF I can walk out having broken even, then I am a definite WINNER.

TY for posting.

We stay at Royal Islander, so no way to walk it. BUT found parking right in front of the building.