TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Sunday Monday

This has certainly been a laid-back start to our trip but it’s been all good so far…….

We have plenty of time on island this trip and the weather is what it is. No sense belly-aching and regretting your trip. Every so often, Mother Nature decides to throw a curveball and I’m thinking this is one of those ‘so often s’.

We had our breakfast in - nothing fancy - orange juice , coffee, Texas toast and some of Zee Bests yummy pastries, and all this after we wiped up some of the water that leaked in overnight Saturday night to Sunday morning. The rain was horrific and water will always find a way to seek its own level. The staff here was terrific and so apologetic that this happened but hey! It’s life and it is what it is. Seems like a major roof repair is in their future. We overheard conversations while we were out and it seems like a boatload of people island wide had water issues overnight.

Again today, Sunday, the rain has been intermittently horrific and then a beautiful blue sky appears briefly. We sat out by the pool for a while and decided to go get some take-out for dinner and of course, it started to rain again. We did finally make our way out and beyond Beacon Hill and Lake White Sands to find something that appealed for dinner. Went to Marks Place for some of their yummy ribs and escalloped potatoes and reheated them for dinner. Yummy! By the time we got back the internet person was here and had the problem resolved and our internet restored. I really didn’t expect it to be repaired on the weekend but they sure do take things seriously here.

Great dinner with a lunch left over for each of us down the road. Watched a little tv and off to bed wondering what tomorrow will bring.

Some observations along the way…..
When we deplaned at PJIA we entered via the far end of the terminal and it was a breeze and so very quick. And once again,the wheel chair service was perfect. Wish I could say the same about the baggage off-loading but in the end we’re here and it’s all good.
It breaks my heart to see all the new high rise construction around Mullet Bay and the state of total disrepair at our once loved Towers at MB. The Fourteen, IMHO, sticks out like a sore thumb.
Probably just the times we’ve been out but no golfers on the course and it’s even more of a mess this trip than last.
Everything is green so the rain has been good for something, if not for working on the much coveted sun tan.
Here at BSV the workers are out very early raking up the seaweed but there’s not as much as I expected given the strong seas. Very little, in fact.
Will they EVER solve the drainage issues on so many of the roads?

Right now, 8:30 Monday morning, the sun is brilliant and gleaming but if you look far to the horizon things are looking a little darker. A rain shower mebbe? We probably need the rain? Yeah! Right! 🙂🙂

Mark's Place, one of my favorites. Glad you are getting out and about.

We got carryout from Mark's on our arrival day last time, which works out great since we always make a big grocery run to Carrefour our first day. We are always in such a quandary what to do our first night, and may have found the solution. And, as you say, always enough for another meal!

How bad has "Lake White Sands" been? The last trip, our car rental guy said that the owner of the Morgan has pumped out that area in recent times, to get rid of some of the water. That might make me better disposed toward him.

Hope things brighten up for you!

Yes, Mark's Place carry out has become part of the routine for our arrival day. We try to do a late afternoon grocery run to Carrefour, stop at Mark's to place our order when we arrive, then shop and pick up the to go meals as we're ready to leave. It feels like we’re really settled in when we sit down to ribs and those great au gratin potatoes! And leftovers to enjoy another day.

Yes, I think that may become part of our arrival routine in future. We always just throw our bags in the room and head directly to Carrefour, but just never know what to pick up at Carrefour to eat, that would be easy.

Never had Marks au gratin potatoes but their escalloped potatoes ae the best.

I am so sorry, Scuba. I meant to say escalloped potatoes. They were delicious and they microwave very well.

You did call them escalloped potatoes. Somebody else mentioned au gratin potatoes. Was just wondering if Marks had both to choose from.

I think I need a drink! 😉😉

Don't let anything get in your way of having that drink.

I hope you and John have sunnier days while on the island. I heard that the weather would improve by Wednesday from two locals. Hoping they are right.

I was thinking they had some cheese in them, hence the au gratin reference, but guess they are escalloped. Tasty no matter what they are called.

Sorry, what is the difference??

From Google.
"Scalloped potatoes traditionally do not include cheese, though some newer recipes might add cheese as a modification. Au gratin potatoes, on the other hand, calls for sprinkled cheese to be sprinkled in between each potato layer, as well as on the top of the dish."

If that’s the case then I’m pretty sure they were au gratin but whatever they were, they were delicious reheated and I’d get them again in a heartbeat if I could convince DH to drive that far for potatoes. But thinking probably NOT!

OK, I'm thinking that potatoes are ALWAYS better with cheese, so I'd always go with au gratin.

They could have been a "modified" version if cheese was only on the top. Regardless, they are always great but may I suggest a revisit to really critique them and post a full report. 😉

Have to agree that.👍

True scalloped potatoes are simply layers of potatoes, seasoned with salt and pepper, sprinkled with flour, and dotted with butter. Cream is poured over all of that, and they're baked. Au gratin potatoes always have cheese.

Just a heads-up. Mark's makes a special one with an added ingredient only on Sunday. My wife said it was outstanding.

My wife said they add Spinach to those potatoes, whatever they are, on Sunday's.

We went on a Sunday and no spinach but they were incredibly good and microwaved beautifully.👍👍