TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin TRIP REPORT, Nov. 14-Dec. 4, 2024 - Part 5

This is the fifth and final report for the period November 14 - December 4, 2024.

MISCELLANEOUS

Betsy
Betsy, the innkeepers’ cat, is usually waiting outside my door each morning. One day she was not. I almost called for her until I noticed she was cuddling with dad Doug before he went for his morning swim. A sweet moment.


Horny Toad
I so love the views from the balcony at Horny Toad and never tire of the amazing colors.



The pigeons (or whatever they are) were building a nest in the balcony rafters. Innkeeper Doug came to clear them out. I felt bad and wished I hadn’t told him; they started right up rebuilding their nest. I didn’t tell him this time.


The morning colors are just so spectacular.


While you can’t see the sun hit the horizon from Horny Toad, you can still see some pretty impressive colors at sunset. This was after it started raining.


More morning colors. I love it when I wake up early enough to see these beautiful scenes.



More sunset colors


One never knows if the sunrise is going to be pink or orange, or both.



Young sailors competition


Beached sailboat still not removed


Last morning on island



IN CONCLUSION

This visit was four weeks long, where prior November trips have been five weeks. I wished I had not shortened the trip as I was not ready to leave after four weeks. I enjoyed seven boating charters/sails, which were the highlights of the trip for me.

That said, the bloom is off the rose as far as SXM is concerned, for me, at least. The inattention to the infrastructure was much more pronounced this time due to the heavy rains. Potholes everywhere. That wouldn’t be so bad if you could see them, but with the flooding, you can’t. In my view, it made driving actually dangerous, but maybe that’s just an old-lady reaction. The traffic is also a big issue. It’s not just at rush hour anymore. Regardless of time of day, you might get stuck for some time without moving. And then there’s the ever-increasing cost of air fare.

On the positive side, the Horny Toad is as wonderful as ever with fabulous views, day and night. Islanders are still friendly. The food continues to be fabulous. And the beaches are gorgeous, when you can get a beach day.

So who knows how many more visits are in my future? At this point, I do not, although I have reservations for two trips in 2025.

I really enjoy your trip reports and pictures! I've made a few notes for our upcoming January trip, including Joa, which sounds like an interesting spot to try.

I believe we met Bill and Elaine at the bar on the Beach at Mary's Boon several years back on our very first trip to St. Maarten. They were very kind and offered several suggestions to us newbies. Nice to see them in some of your pictures.

Thanks for taking the time to write and share!

Thanks for your reports. Doug and Besty are quite a pair. I am in agreement with you on the infrastructure and the negative impact it is having.

Thanks for your reports.
We noticed the traffic was heavy our first week which was the week of American Thanksgiving but after the weekend we noticed the traffic had diminished. We also noticed all the potholes everywhere, as you say it is dangerous. There is quite a bit of new construction as well, which makes you wonder where all those peoples cars will be able to get around.

Thanks for the reports and all the pictures. Truly appreciated!

Thanks so much for your trip reports and the pictures are amazing. I enjoyed reading them.

Great trip reports as usual. I’ll give Joa a try.

Cruise ships and overbuilding are ruining the island or at least changing its character. I checked the cruise ship schedule for January and there are multiple days during each week that there are 5 and 6 ships in. That makes things difficult for those of us that actually spend a lot of money on the island. That said I always enjoy my time because of the friendships I’ve developed on the island.

Thanks for sharing your in-depth trip reports! Love all the info on restaurants. We've been going to the island for over 25 years and, while we recognize that things will change, it's been hard to watch the impact of all the poorly planned building. We still love the beaches, the restaurants and the people we've met over the years. Our RTU timeshare at Divi will be exhausted in a few years, so we'll also face the question of how often to return, even though we've rented VRBOs as well.

Thanks for your very enjoyable trip reports! The pictures were great, too. Now I'm hungry. Do Elaine and Bill not live on the island anymore? I must have missed something.

They moved to Connecticut a year or two ago. Visits to the island have not been the same without their presence so it was very special to have them back.

Didn't know that they had moved.

Thanks for the reports Linda. I appreciate all the photos.

Very well documented reports. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed spending time with you and sharing some of your experiences!

Linda, I live vicariously through your reports and photos. And for keeping me apprised of Betsy's antics. I'm surprised she didn't chase the birds away. Thank you so much

Linda,
As always, your reports were fantastic - almost made me feel as though I was right there with you. Sure do wish I was.......
I feel sad about the rose blooms but I know EXACTLY how you feel. I need one more trip but I’m thinking that could possibly be it for us. Fifty years of annual visits have brought changes. Some good but sadly, some not so much and the traffic and lack of foresight in island planning for the good of the island breaks my heart.
Again, beautiful photos and great reporting. Sincere thank you for all your time and efforts.

The 9th photo down is the most beautiful pic. It is worthy of a frame. Thanks for sharing. .

Thank you!

Linda, looking at your pix again as I sit at home with snow coming down and wishing I was in SXM

Thank you!

Excellent photos, thanks.