Just concluded my 12th trip to SXM. Had a swell time as always. Met up with old friends, made new ones and spent my days relaxing <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> One trip highlight was laying on my chair by the RI pool like a beached whale while watching the ladies do Aqua Aerobics. Now that's living <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Without further adieu...
Pre-Flight Accomodations: My sister changed jobs recently and now works as the GM at the Comfort Inn here in Warwick. I asked her to try to get an employeee rate at the CI in Revere so we can spend the night before relaxing and shuttle to the airport in the morning. We usually take a limo up to Logan from here and have a sleepless night while awaiting the usual 3am car pickup. She got the rate and we took the 6:30 pm bus from Providence to Logan. We caught the CI shuttle at the American terminal (15 min. to the hotel) and were checked in quickly. We had a burgers and beer at the hotels restaurant (very good) and were able to catch a decent sleep. The CI has 24 hour shuttle service to Logan leaving every half hour - we caught the 4:30am ride over and were checked in quickly for our 7am flight. The American counter was very organized and the line moved right along. Unheard of!
Flights: American through SJU both ways. All flights were fine and on time. For the second year in a row I made it through SJU Customs, etc. and to my gate in a half hour <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> Sunday travel isn't as bad as it used to be, but then again, American has finally given that 4pm flight a 90 minute layover in SJU. Boy, we used to sweat that out!
Accomodations: Stayed at the Royal Islander as usual. The resort is always in pristine condition and it's wonderful to be greeted by Sherilee and Malcom year after year. There's no place like home <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> The lobby bar was manned by Mary this year (new to us). She's a wonderful woman - always had a big smile on! She repeatedly indulged our friend Jack when he wanted to slow dance with her. Please give that woman a raise <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
The Gang: As always, the Royal Islander Gang included my sister Susan, Gretchen (Gsk), and her friend Leslie. We had two new additions this time for different parts of the trip - Gretchen's friend Susan (from Atlanta) and my friend Kim (from Phoenix). It was fun for me to show Kim around and go places I hadn't been to in years. It was great! Other friends we drank...er..HUNG with - Wendell, JD (ruralcarrier), Kevin (mmartinfan), BeaconHillAndrea, Deepti and Jeff, the lovely Pat (Sungoddess), havana and Mrs. havana (Gerry and Deb), BobD and Bette <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Love.gif" alt="" /> (thanks again for lunch - miss you guys!!) Augie and Sue, MaryBeth and Don, everyone at the TTOL Party....oh gosh I could go on forever...and have! We also had the pleasure of seeing Sungoddess by the RI pool frequently so she could partake in the above Aqua Aerobics. I did a great job of cheering you on, huh? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Great lady! I urge you all to meet her if you're down there before May.
Drinking and Debauchery: As with past years, we made the Lady C our home base. They have the most fantastic bar staff anywhere. It's truly amazing to watch them work the crowd on a busy night <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> Always a smile for you when you arrive and in many cases, a big continental-style kiss from Colin as he welcomes you aboard <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Love.gif" alt="" /> Kudos to Captain Mike and the staff for the great memories...the ones we can remember anyway <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Hairy.gif" alt="" /> Never made it to Bliss or Q Club as in past years...for us there was no reason to go anywhere else.
Food: Breakfast in the room and sandwiches for the beach as always. If it aint broke don't fix it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> We don't eat dinner out much as a group. We try to squeeze out every last bit of sun that we can and then head in to get ready for the evenings activities. Got pizza from Pizza Pasta (behind Cheri's) and Pizza Galley several times. Both were excellent, but I give the edge to Pizza Pasta because the crust is a bit thicker (my preference). Ate at Hot Tomatoes one night - I had the Prickly Pear Piggy Pie and my friend Kim had the Jerk Chicken Alfredo - both fabulous. Had a great talk with Brad's wife Tekki. She's a doll! Glad we made it back there after going several times in '03. Heard a ton of raves about Peg Leg Pub (from some notoriously picky eaters around the pool), Antoine's (a fave with the RI timesharer's every year), L'escargot, Jimbo's and Lee's. We kept up our tradition of getting KFC at least once. I haven't eaten it since our trip in '03, but MAN does SXM have good KFC <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Also had burgers at SSBB and Buccaneer. Both were terrific! I preferred SSBB's because they give you a huge mound of fries and Buccaneer gives you a bag of chips - same price.
Beaches: Rented 2 chairs and umbrella from Craig at Packlight <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> We'd emailed a few months out and I decided to walk down to Caravanserai the morning after we arrived for pickup (dropped off there also). He was punctual and was where he said he would be both times. Helluva nice guy and I completely recommend him. The chairs were in excellent shape and super comfy (I use the low sand chairs here and prefer them). They paid for themselves between the two of us in a couple of days - we've always rented loungers. We used them at Mullet, Maho and Orient (in between Bikini and Kakao). All beaches were in great shape. Maho had one day of 10 ft.+ breakers - it was UNREAL. Caught Mullet on "smooth as glass" days each time. Love that beach. Orient was super windy the second time we went - water was kinda choppy too. Didn't mind the wind in the least, however - it was refreshing. Took the little boat to Pinel one day. Great as usual. I love it there because of the silence. No jet ski's etc. Always a relaxing time <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Umbrella.gif" alt="" />
Car Rental: We rented a Corolla from Claude Arnell at Summerset. Our friend Bill goes down to SXM in early Feb. and gathers everyones trip dates ahead of time - he does the rental dirty work for us. Claude said there were 30 people from our group renting from him over 6 weeks or so. Needless to say, we got a GREAT deal <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> One bad note: last Friday night, we had a window smashed while at the Lady C <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" /> The car was unlocked and we left nothing in it. It was the small triangular window on the rear passenger side. I called the office very late to report it and the kid told me to call Claude's cell. Kept getting a busy signal so I spent a sleepless night worrying about it. Finally got him at 8am and all he wanted to know was where I was parked when the vandalism occured. No charge for the window. He picked it up soon after since we were turning the car in that day anyway. Will certainly do business with him again - the incident could have been a total nightmare.
Other observations: - The island was super GREEN. It must have had to do with all the damn rain <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> I got plenty of sun regardless. Those of you heading down and are worried - DON'T! The sun always comes back out. We never lost a full day to rain in 16 days.
- Be careful getting up from the picnic tables at SSBB. I cranked the back of my leg on a huge bolt (connecting the bench to the side). It was sticking out about 4 inches from the side <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> I spent the rest of my vacation walking around with a bruise the size of a tangerine on the back of my calf. Sexy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
- We simply loved the new market at La Terasse. Well-stocked and the prices were very good. They had a lot of prepared foods in the deli section (ribs, chicken, etc.). I even found spray starch of all things and a big can was only $1.50 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Bought a gigantic tub of chocolate Etna from a big cooler up front. OMG is that stuff good! My friend Kim needed cold medication and couldn't find it on the shelves. You have to ask a cashier and it's locked up in the manager's area. In summation, it was great to simply walk across the street and find what we needed - and not get price gouged.
- Traffic was horrific through Simpson Bay on Regatta weekend. It was better once everyone cleared out, but still not ideal. Had two reasonably quick trips through Marigot and one looonnnggg one. You never know what yer gonna get.
- The Maho area was bustling every evening. I counted only two vacant storefronts - vastly different from past years. I utilized the internet cafe now located behind Cheri's. They have doubled the amount of stations from the old location and it was wonderfully air conditioned. Still a bargain at $5 per hour/$30 per week unlimited. I did hear them give a $3 rate for a half hours time to a few who only needed to check email quickly. They also offer cordless phones to call home for $1 per minute.
- Took the Lambada to Prickly Pear. My friend Kim is an avid snorkeler and LOVED it. The current was strong so I just kinda snorkeled between the boat and the shore. She went to the far reef and was thrilled with what she was able to see. I've taken this trip 3 or 4 times and still feel it's a great deal. The wind was blowing and when they put the main sail up...<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> we were flying! Great crew on this catamaran - always a great day.
So yeah, I had a great trip! Can't wait to do it all again next March! To those of you who haven't fallen asleep while reading this...thank you <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
