TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Days 3-5

Life proceeds in the slow lane. We’re not doing much--by design--and taking our sweet time about it. We do make plans for the important events—mostly meals. Our holiday reservations are in place—Bistrot Caraibes for Christmas Eve, L’ Auberge Gourmand on Christmas, La Villa for New Year’s Eve and Ocean 82 for New Year’s dinner. And we are booking reservations for most other meals a few days in advance as reservations are necessary this time of the year.

Sunday, we started the day with a massage from Patty Healing Hands. Since she works alone, no couples massage, but we did it sequentially. I mentioned my leg cramps, so she started working on them. In the meantime, I didn’t realize I had back pain, but she discovered it, and worked it out. Foot issue is now gone. Sure, these are all minor aches and pains associated with aging, but Patty worked her magic on me. And I heard no complaints from Mrs. Cruzer either. We scheduled another one in 3 weeks.

Recent meals have included Sunset Café, Tropicana and Yvettes. We had Bouchot mussels with a bottle of Sav Blanc, excellent as usual, at Sunset. Yvettes started with their salt fish cakes (my favorite version of accras on the island) with Mrs. C having conch and dumplings and I the fried snapper filet in a creole sauce. And Tropicana continued to excel with a goat cheese salad, smoked salmon, and banana crusted snapper filet in a curry and cream sauce, topped off with crème brulee.

Saturday, we went to the Marigot market. Plenty of vendors there, but mostly of the Rima Reseller variety. Still, Mrs C. managed to find a beach bag to add to her collection. We’d ordered a bunch of wine over Thanksgiving from Le Gout du Vin as they were having a 25% off sale and needed to pick up our cache. We splurged on a case of Chateau Neuf du Pape that we’re now in the process of happily consuming. Plus some champagne and Clos Beylesse, aka the blue bottle.

Mornings seem chilly, although the temps then are in the high 70s(the water is a frigid 80. BRRRR). Back home in North Texas the forecast low a few days out is 8!! Good thing I shut off the water at the main before we left.

GCBC now offers a shuttle service into town and back, which is a nice perk to have, especially after a big dinner in town. It’s four bucks per person per way, more or less on demand as you call them, tell them where you are and they fetch you within 5-10 minutes. No more zombie walks back to the room.

Beautiful pictures and sounds like a lovely time! Enjoy!

Cruzer, have you made your reservation for L'Auberge yet? I thought I read on FaceBook that they are closing until after the new year...

Yes, I made it in person --Saturday I think. They were also serving. I do know that Pascal is in Paris and won't be back until the new year, so maybe he'd planned to close but found someone to help. Pure speculation on my part, though.

That's a good thing that GCBC has the shuttle service. A few things come to mind. One PARKING!! Shoot me!!! Second , Not to be a downer but it's the truth. People will be partaking in multiple adult beverages and the Gendarmerie no doubt will be out in force!!! No one wants to get hurt or worse let alone get arrested for DWI!!! It's worth the few bucks!!! Sounds like a great holiday week is on schedule! Merry Christmas and a healthy HNY!

David--historically, in the past, many people walk from GCBC to 'restaurant row'. I am glad that they are now providing that service. I definitely would pay for it, that's for sure. I believe Esplanade also provides shuttle service. It would seem like the restaurants should get together and provide this service, as many or most of them will comp your parking.

Cruzer, check your pm here. Sent you a message.