TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Thursday, July 22

We've been very busy doing nothing....we did try Buonanotte last night which is located where La Cuccina was --they took over the parking lot--very interesting layout. There is Buonanotte which is Italian including many varieties of thin crust pizzas, another restaurant on the other side serving Caribbean food and in the middle is an upscale food court of sorts serving pizza, shwarma and possibly other items with a dance club/bar in the center. Very interesting how it's all connected together. The host and staff at Buonanotte could not have been more attentive. Everyone enjoyed their meals and as we were leaving, lots of young people were coming in to enjoy the music and some dancing. We then went over to Casino Royale and made another donation.

We've also eaten at Bandidos and the St. Maarten Yacht Club. I had never tried the grouper fingers at the Yacht club and they did not disappoint. As for Bandidos, this is a decent substitute for us when we are looking for tacos and burritos. With my husband, we are often looking for this type of food. Bandidos is located in the space where Bavaria was located. The owner has done a cute job redecorating a bit and he's trying very hard. I hope he makes it work.

Tonight we are trying Big Fish -- first time for us. There are so many restaurants to try, we will need another 30 years just to try them all.

Little rainy this morning but it cleared up nicely and we enjoyed another fine beach day. The "kids" went to Loterie Farms for zip lining. Our son is out now re-testing for scuba diving tomorrow. They are much more adventurous than we are. I'm pretty set just sitting at the beach, talking with friends and reading my book.

Interesting spin on the Covid test to return to the US. Divi is offering a discount on the test if you test at Divi and attend your update meeting. Today a friend of ours said that you only receive the discount if your contract is a "mandatory" maintenance contract. There are some folks still coming under the older non-mandatory maintenance contracts. This seems crazy to me and kind of petty of Divi. If you are here, you paid your maintenance so why the different policy. Some complaints were made and we'll see what happens tomorrow.

Thanks also for the help with the internet question. He was able to use the business office here at Divi and everything worked out well.

Sounds good overall!

"we did try Buonanotte last night which is located where La Cuccina was " Sorry--which is where??

The restaurant is across the street from Cappuccino’s on Welfare road.

Just driving back from Big Fish—very, very good dinner tonight!

OK thanks.

It may be petty of Divi, but that's not the only instance in which they discriminate against those who have nonmandatory contracts (which I do and will NEVER give up!). They check people in sooner if they are vacation club folks. I appealed to one of the managers as a couple of years ago I couldn't check in til 7 PM. It's just nuts. I don't like being treated like a second-class citizen, but they do a good job of that with some of us.

Aargh!!

After my three weeks at Divi, I went elsewhere for ten days so got my test at Medworks. I noted that when I checked out at Divi, they did ask why I didn't have a charge for testing on my bill.

7pm check in. Ridiculous.