TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022

Even though I have recovered from Covid, my attitude toward being on island seems to have changed. I’m not sure if it’s just that my energy level isn’t what it was pre-Covid or what’s different. At any rate, I haven’t done much.

EXCURSIONS

No1SXM – This is always a favorite sail. I had had to reschedule from the prior week due to Covid so was super grateful to be able to go. It was a wonderful day of sailing with gorgeous weather. A single stop for swimming and snorkeling was at Friar’s Bay with the rest of the time enjoying pure sailing. Bliss.




BEACHES

Coco Beach – Once I could get out again, my first beach day was at Coco Beach on Orient. This is really a high-quality beach bar with excellent food. It’s too bad the water is a little rough at that end of the beach and not really conducive to getting into; there was also a good bit of sargassum. I had a three-course prix fixe meal for 39 Euro that may be my best meal so far. Appetizer was marinated prawns with red snapper entrée and a chocolate cake dessert. Chair/umbrella rental includes a towel and bottle of water.





Anse Marcel – I love the beach here as the water is usually so calm; it was divine the day I was there. Lunch was a shrimp noodle salad that was good but not great.




FOOD

While I was still having to mask, I did some takeout for dinners.

The Palms – I ordered the ribs, the first time since their new pricing, which is based on weight. They have two prices: $35 and $65. I ordered the $35 version and was stunned when I returned to the room to find that got me five ribs. That said, they were very meaty and flavorful, and five ribs provided two dinners.

Little Jerusalem – Having never ordered from them before, I wasn’t sure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. The shawarma plate included delicious potatoes and a salad and was good for two meals. The second time I ordered from them, the shawarma was a little dry, but the potatoes were still good.

Bar Code – Ribs were on the menu, and I hadn’t had them before. I might have thought they were good if I hadn’t recently had the ribs from The Palms. They just didn’t compare favorably, and I was disappointed. Not nearly as meaty or flavorful as ribs from The Palms.



Balls and Wine – There are several new items on their menu since my last visit in November. One appetizer I especially enjoyed was Kanin Crunch, panko-breaded crab sticks with a spicy sauce. Yummy. I had the (meat)balls for the first time - a generous serving of six balls with four sauces. It was okay but I wasn’t overwhelmed. Service charge added.



Cambuci – This is a relatively new restaurant in Porto Cupecoy I hadn’t been to before, and it was an excellent experience from start to finish. I was greeted very pleasantly even though I didn’t have a reservation (which was not needed). Service was attentive and knowledgeable. My appetizer was grilled shrimp on toast points; excellent! Entrée was Duck Escondidinho; very good. Service charge was added to the bill.



Astra – I was intending to have breakfast at Reveil Matin one day, but parking was a bit of a problem so I headed to Astra. Service was quite welcoming and friendly. The eggs benedict were okay, and the view was really pleasant. Service charge added.



Cool Heure – This is a kind of a hole-in-the-wall place at the entrance to Happy Bay that I’ve heard great things about. I met some local friends for lunch and agree with what I’ve heard. The only negative is that there’s no menu in English and the server was difficult to understand so I wasn’t totally certain what I was ordering until it was served. It turned out to be a seafood cassoulet of white fish and prawns with bechamel sauce and was excellent. I will return.

MISCELLANEOUS

The night before the Strawberry Moon.



Random from Horny Toad.



Saba making a rare appearance.



I am having problems with my laptop and am unable to transfer any more photos from my phone to laptop. Thus there won’t be any more reports until I can get home and transfer photos to my desktop.

Thanks for the report! I was wondering how you were doing.

I'm sorry, I have never been a favorite of the Palms and the pricing for their ribs is really ridiculous. I cannot see paying $35 for ribs, let alone $65!!! We were only at Orient once, but the seaweed was really bad when we were there. Only had seaweed two days at Beachside. Hopefully that has continued. We saw Saba the day we arrived and then briefly on the Monday we left and that was it. I have hay fever problems and was looking forward to not having to take my Clairitin on island, but the sahara dust took care of that. I hope it has calmed down.

How much longer do you have on island? I truly hope you are able to enjoy your remaining time.

In defense of The Palms, the rib meat is very high quality, and $35 for two dinners isn't bad.

I am here until July 6 so still have almost two weeks. A friend is arriving in a few days, and I suspect my activity level will increase.

Different strokes, but I just don't see it.

Enjoy the rest of your time.

Thanks for the report and pictures. I hope your energy returns. Enjoy the best you can.

Good to hear from you again, glad you're out and about. Love the pics, made me hungry.

Glad you were able to resume your vacation even though not quite at the energy level you’re use to. Happy vacationing to you for the next two weeks.

Cambuci and Balls & Wine are on our radar for our Oct-Nov trip.

Great pictures.

I've heard the virus zaps your energy level for a while.
Having your friend arrive, might help out.

You mentioned Cool Heure, at the entrance to Happy Bay.
How did you get there-----just curious.

Enjoy your time....

Well, I drove.

Coming from Marigot, are you familiar with the "Paul Emmanuel School of Music" sign? It's on the corner at the second left after that sign. If you get to the basketball court, you've gone too far,

Glad to see you are able to be out and about. 35-65 for ribs. Ouch. Don't care how good they are. Not for me, but glad you enjoyed them.

Always enjoy your reports and photos....Wishing you a continued, successful, quick recovery Thx for sharing😎

Cool Heure is on the water then? Looks interesting.

No, it's on the main road at the turnoff to Happy Bay closest to Grand Case

I was looking at the wrong photo then…

The only thing posted from there is the menu.

I Was confused, I thought that Happy Bay was only accessible from Friars or a boat.
I know there is a back road that we couldn't find to Friars.

Same road and took me a long time to find it. Coming from Marigot, take second left after Paul Emmanuel School of Music sign. Once you turn left, go straight to get to Happy Bay, on foot. Turn left to drive to back entrance of Friar's. VERY pot-holey road.

Really enjoyed your report, thank you! If you plan to return in late November/early December hopefully we'll run into you again. I hear you regarding post-Covid. I had a serious case of just general malaise long after I tested clear. I'm not going to say "recovered" because it was probably 4 or 5 months before I felt like myself again, and even though it was all the way back in October of 2020 when I had it, I only just recently finally got what I would consider some semblance of my old taste and smell back. Enjoy your vacation!

Thank you, Gomer. I am really sorry to hear about the lingering malaise; not something I am looking forward to, for sure. Fortunately, I did not lose taste or smell.

Yes, I will be back all of November until December 7 so hope to see you then!

Thank you for providing such a detailed report.Was planning a trip in end December, so will make sure to head to these recommended places.As fare as COVID is concerned I lost my taste and smell for few weeks and use to feel very weak.The weakness persisted for 2 long months and not going to lie it took me time to feel completely alright.Though there was no sign of lingering malaise, but COVID affects every individual differently.Post COVID I definitely felt a greater need to travel and be myself again.

Will definitely visit Cambuci as I love shrimps.Thanks for the recommendation.