TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trip Report, 6/25/21 - 6/29/21, Part 5

Friday, June 25

It was a quiet and uneventful day, spent between packing up to move and lounging by the Infinity Pool. I joined friends for dinner at Melange, their choice. Dinner wasn’t very good, but it was nice spending time with them. No pictures taken of anything!

Saturday, June 26

Guests departing Divi had to be out of their rooms by 10 a.m. I woke up pretty early and was ready to leave my room by 8:30 a.m. At that time, I was easily able to get a bellman with golf cart to take my bags down the hill to my car. I had breakfast at Divi and said goodbye to Gizmo on the way to my car.



The Celebrity Summit, which I will be on next January, was inching its way toward port, and dive boats were out.



I checked in at Horny Toad Guest House, and my room was ready several hours before official check-in. The weather gradually turned from sunshine into quite a storm. I had both my front door and sliders open for a breeze, not realizing the slanting rain was creating a bit of a puddle on my floor. Eventually the rain stopped, and I could once again enjoy the fabulous views from my second-floor room.

Local crafts people were holding a craft fair at the Adonis Hotel in Cupecoy. There were tables of local wares in the parking lot, in the lobby, and downstairs. I was able to pick up a couple of things. While there, I ran in to Kim on this board along with her sister and a friend.

There was no happy hour at the Toad; I joined friends at Vesna Taverna for dinner and had a very good lamb shank.



Sunday, June 27

Breakfast on the balcony drinking in the views I never tire of.






Did a grocery run at Carrefour near the causeway and then picked up a friend for lunch. We went to Guayabera around from the police station/immigration. The bartender/server/cook came over to ask what we wanted; we asked for a menu. They don’t have any. We asked what they were serving; she said she would go see what they have! She didn’t know that before coming to our table? She told us they serve Jamaican food, and our choices for the day were ribs, pork, seafood, and chicken wings. I opted for ribs, and my friend chose chicken wings. While waiting for our lunch, we enjoyed this view. That’s Enigma at anchor.



I was offered bottled BBQ sauce for my (very dry) ribs; my friend enjoyed her chicken wings. Now that I have done it, I can cross this one off my list.

Back to the views at Horny Toad. I had happy hour with innkeeper Debbie and then went to Bar Code for dinner. When returning, I saw one of the innkeepers’ cats, Ginger, on a sofa and spent some time with her. She is missing innkeeper Doug, who is off island for a few months.



Monday, June 28

Breakfast on the deck, where this is my “corner view.”



The rest of the deck and my corner.




Past time for a beach day! It was lovely at Friar’s Bay Beach Café. The weather was gorgeous (except for a small shower, when we all went to the café to have lunch), the sea was calm, and the food was delicious. What could be better? Oh, the chairs. I missed not having a pad.




There was a group next to me who had a dog with them. It was fun seeing them throw a ball into the water and watching the dog swim out to retrieve it. You can’t see it in the picture, but this is the dog with a retrieved ball in his mouth.




I had salmon for dinner at The Palms, and it was perfect. Often I am cautious about ordering salmon when not in the Pacific Northwest (salmon country!), but Greg did a lovely job with it.

Tuesday, June 29

Another breakfast on the deck enjoying the views. Have I said I love this place? I came in to make dinner reservations and a nail appointment for later this week. I wanted Thursday, which I learned is a holiday (Emancipation Day), but she had an opening today. Afterwards, time on the lounge chairs on the sand in front of Horny Toad.

Then to The Palms to meet up with local friends for happy hour. A couple of friends and I went to Balls and Wine for dinner. They had not been before and said they liked it. On Tuesdays, there are a few dollars off on select tacos. While they don’t look very big, they are quite filling and we left stuffed. Eduardo, the owner, was solicitous as always; he’s a very nice guy.

The lights at night are very pretty; this is the pool at the gorgeous Las Arenas next door.



Five full days left before having to leave. There are two storm fronts coming in, which does not bode well for beach days.

Lovely pictures, as always! So, there are no private decks for the rooms there at HT? I wonder, could you post some pictures of your room? I haven't really seen pictures of the rooms at HT since they re-did it, post Irma. What's the deal with TV's in the rooms there?

Nice picture report. We had intentions of going to Guayabera while there. We found a place to park and walked in to just turn around and leave. Was not impressed.

Thanks again, Linda for taking us along on your trip. Thanks for posting about Balls & Wine and Guayabera. Both are/were on our "long" list for upcoming trip.

I hope you continue to enjoy your time on the island as your days wind down.

Another lovely report. The photos are beautiful. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
I wanted to go to Balls & Wine but we never got there. Hopefully next time.

Thanks for your continuing rep0rrts and pics. Considering the weather back home, I think it'd be much better to stay in SXM. Enjoy your time.

Another outstanding report and pictures. Glad to see Ginger is still around. Can't beat the Horny Toad and the views. Enjoy. Thank you.

Enjoyed the report, and we like you have a hard time ordering Salmon when not on the West Coast, good to hear Greg did a good job with it. If Friars would just get some pads, I would easily pay extra for them because I love the food there and the setting and vibe is as pleasant as it gets.

Possibly a go fund me for Friars Chair pads! lol

The pictures are amazing!
Thanks for all the postings.

We went to Friars many years ago and I couldn't get up after sitting on those chairs.
It really messes up your back. They are the worse.....

They have upgraded wifi to fiber optic, but TV is roku and doesn't work well. Picture freezes more than it plays. You need to request a TV for your room as they are not automatically in every room. I have given up trying to get it to work this year.

No, decks are not private. But it was kind of nice last time as JD was next door and we could easily talk with each other on the deck.

Maybe later for pictures. Their website does have nice pictures of each room; all are individually decorated.

OK, disappointing with regard to the TV, as I really need a TV in the room. I'm boring. And I prefer having a private deck. I guess I'm boring and antisocial..

LOL. There also is no pool, which I assume you want.

Another report with gorgeous pictures. Thanks for taking us along.

Thanks for sharing your trip report and photos!!! Enjoy the rest of your vacation!!

Loving your reports Linda and great running into you!! Good call on the chutney! Been having a little every night!!!

Sounds like a great trip. Very nice pictures. We also love the Horny Toad. We’ve been going there since 2004 when Deb’s mom Betty ran the place. Deb and her husband Doug are terrific hosts. Looking forward to going back there soon.

Enjeyed your Pictures and report 👍👏

Linda--Yes, that's true, I like a pool also. That pool next door looks stunning! Does it get much use? When I win the lottery, maybe I'll stay next door..

I have NEVER seen anyone use that pool!

Huh. Interesting..

The thing is, they used to have pads. As I recall, they were an extra $3, which I was happy to pay. It seems they have gone by the wayside post-Irma.

They did, and they actually had them the first time we went after Irma. They didn't have them the next trip, and when we asked about them, they blamed Irma. So, I'm not sure exactly what happened; maybe they lost some in Irma, and haven't replaced them.

Thanks for another lovely report!