TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Tuesday, November 12

It’s raining out again this morning. Our friends walked to Grand Case where there was lots of street flooding and a few large fish stuck in the channel.

The seas were choppy in Grand Case, so we ended up driving to Friar’s Bay, hoping the water was calmer there. We ended up taking the right hand turn just after the basketball courts in Grand Case. The road started out OK, but soon turned to dirt, with lots of potholes. It reminded me of the road to Club Orient, but worse. At this point, we’re thankful for having a larger rental vehicle.

The waves were quite large at Friar’s, but there were people in the ocean. We were hoping to settle in at Friar’s Bay Beach Club, but they weren’t open. So we went next door to 978 Beach. The beach chairs were comfortable, and the service was fantastic. However, they informed us that with all the rain, they had lost power and lost 90% of their food. We witnessed quite a few ladies getting wiped out by the large waves. None of us were brave enough to venture into the water. We ended up ordering a bucket of beer and then packed up at noon in search of a place to eat. When leaving the area, there were pigs walking alongside the road. That scene certainly took us by surprise!

Plan B for lunch was at Le Taitu, which was very crowded. We only waited a few minutes for a table and enjoyed glasses of wine and cold water. Lunch selections were Chicken in a Blue Cheese sauce, Catfish (flown in from France), Spaghetti Bolognese and Spicy Goat Stew. While this restaurant lacks somewhat in ambiance, it certainly makes it up in very good food and service.

Dinner was at L’Auberge Gourmande, which is under new ownership. Our Airbnb hosts for this trip, Chantal and Alex are the new owners. We were joined for dinner by some dear island friends.

Appetizers: Escargots, Avocado and Crab Salad, Onion Soup.
Meals: Filet Mignon, Roasted Rack of Lamb, Dover Sole, Lobster Pie and a pasta dish.
Desserts: Crème Brulee, a strawberry ice cream and cream tarte, Rum and Port.
The meal started and ended with complimentary Champagne or Prosecco (?) drinks and rum shots.
The service and food were excellent, and being in the presence of good friends was the best of all.

We enjoyed a leisurely stroll back to the apartment rental and called it a night.

Too bad about FBBC being closed; their food is sooo good. And yes, that back road is a mess, but it's really nice being *right* at FBBC.

I don't understand why rain would cause them to lose electric. Did they tell you that they had no food when you arrived? That was unfortunate. I wonder if FBBC had lost their food also, and that's why they were closed. They seem to be kind of hit and miss when they are closed.

I think you head home today? Safe travels! Thanks for all your posts.

Joanne,

As usual, wish we were there with you but weather-wise, glad we’re not. Never ever would I go tent camping with you and Marc……😊😊.

I have enjoyed each of your trip reports and appreciate the time and effort it takes to do them but please know, we all enjoy the efforts of your labors.

You manage to make a bad day still sound like fun. Good to know you are able to make lemonade from the sourest of lemons when called upon. So much of life often becomes not quite what we want it to be but if you try, it will be alright.

Safe travels home and again, Ty for your write-ups.

That rack of lamb looked fantastic.

The waves look strong. Food looks good.

Like your new photo . Fab as you are fable