TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin 1/1 Arrival in SXM

Our driver picked us up at 2 am for our 5 am departure from DFW via CLT. I was amazed how crowded CLT was upon arrival since New Years Day is supposed to be a slow travel day.

Our plane parked in the B3 parking spot, so we had to take the bus. From landing to leaving the terminal was 40 minutes, and we did have a snaking like to contend with for the machine entry, which had a hard time with my face for some reason. They had two terminals at each station, about 18 total stations open with an operator at each station. Very quick processing, but how long will they have all the stations manned? Got our rental car from Safari and headed to Grand Case. The road was virtually empty until we got to Grand Case even though it was around 4 pm by then. I counted 2 cars in from of me on the International Raceway from the roundabout after the causeway to entering Marigot.

The redoing of the restaurant, bar, kitchen, restrooms and sports desk at GCBC are complete. It's all very nice, but different, and will take me a bit of time to get used to it. Many new faces in the bar/restaurant for high season in addition to all the ones from our October trip. The new upstairs, poolside bar/restaurant is delayed, but everyone I ask gives me a different date as to when.

Oh, the water temperature is a frigid 79, and I'm upset with Mrs. Cruzer for telling me I didn't need to bring my ice skates.

Here's a few pix taken from the plane. The first with the 3 thingies that look like sails weren't visible to me---only through the camera lens. Then there's Saba, Statia and St. Kitts off in the distance, and coming down the hill into Grand Case

Gross laziness is slowly working its way into my routine, I should be fully on Island Mode by this weekend.

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Doesn't sound like you're too excited to be there. Have a rum and settle in to the island life.

Would love to see pictures of the new restaurant/bar area if/when you feel inclined.

We arrived yesterday at 3:00 on AA from CLT (with stairs and no ramp!) and also had to take a bus, even though there was only one jetway in use (Air France). When you are bussed in, there is also a half flight of stairs as you enter the building.

There was a winding line at the kiosks, all of which were working, but only 2 employees helping and that includes the one who was directing people to the open kiosks. Most people were using one kiosk for their whole group so it quickly became a confusing mess. We tried my wife first and she was accepted with no issues. My passport was read correctly but since I initially did not remove my glasses, my picture was rejected and I had to go to an agent. Other than another winding route through the ropes, there was no wait at the window and I got the old fashioned passport stamp.

Baggage was out shortly and then off to AAA car rental. On the road to OBBR by 4:00 and decided to take the causeway as the new opening time was to be 4:30. Right at 4:12, down came the arms and it opened for a sailboat. Oh well, still at OBBR by 5:00 and settling in nicely.