Grab a beverage or 6 - this will be lonnnnng.
Pre-flight Hotel/Transportation: We overnighted in Boston at the Comfort Inn in Revere like last year. The hotel is basically a place to grab a few hours sleep, but our accomodations were excellent. They have a FAB independantly-owned restaurant on the ground floor. Food was great and inexpensive. We took our usual 7am American flight to SJU - hour or so layover and arrived in SXM around 2pm. Flights were fine. Breezed through immigration. We had a fair wait for baggage, my Dad was waiting for us and we took off for the Royal Islander.
Due to FF miles, my flight home was through Miami and I dreaded it the entire trip. We left SXM on time, thankfully, because I had a semi-tight connection to get back to Boston. Customs/Immigration was frightening at first glance. The agents did a fine job of making sure everyone was in the correct line. That took about 30 minutes. Our luggage was already off the carousel - grabbed my two bags and re-checked them. Found my way upstairs and searched for a monitor to see where the heck I had to be. The final security checkpoint was LONG. They ended up pulling the BOS flight out of line to get us to our gate. Made it in plenty of time. They boarded us and we sat at the gate for over an hour due to no shows/stand-by's. The plane was stiflingly hot and uncomfortable. Got into BOS about 45 minutes late - my boyfriend was waiting for me and we were off for home. PS - I'd take the SJU route over Miami in a heartbeat. Much easier imho.
The Gang: The usual suspects - my sister Susan, Gretchen and Leslie, and of course, my Dad Peter and his girlfriend Irene. My boyfriend Chris made his first trip (stayed for the first week), and it won't be his last. He LOVED the island and is already bugging me about next year YAY! We finally got to meet up with Jamie, Danny and KevinNYC. A crazier group there never was! They are totally our kind of people and we had MANY laughs with them. Kevin needs to marry my sister so we can see him more often <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> We look forward to seeing them in NYC in June. Also rubbed elbows with Wendell, the lovely Lois, JD, Carl and Jill, Andrea and Kevin (mmartinfan). We didn't spend as much time with them as last year due to alternate plans/activities, but it was great to see them. We hung out with Cole (coleinkc) and Michaela alot this year. We met them two years ago and missed them last March. Super couple - lots of fun and Cole - I owe ya one for getting my car out of that space at the Lady C LOL My friend Kim flew in from Phoenix for my second week like last year. She had a good time and it was fun for her to not be an SXM newbie anymore! She had no problems getting around to shop, and she did some snorkeling as well. Nice to have her back.
We also broke bread...errr...pizza with Cheryl and Ted at Pizza Galley. I met them a few summers ago here in RI, and we see them every March in SXM. Great folks! Saw a bunch of people at the 3/7 TTOL party, but it was almost overwhelming. I tried to make the rounds, but with such a big group it was difficult to meet everyone. There's always next year <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> Also had the pleasure of meeting Barbara. Once she realized who I was, we had a big laugh over the fact that I PM her every year about an odd food item's availabilty in the markets. This year: cabbage <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> A delightful, spirited woman she is.
Also caught up with TTOL member Shelby at the Lady C the night before we left. We met her 3 years ago at the TTOL party at La Vista. It was GREAT seeing her again - man, did we laugh our butts off after getting reacquainted. We looked for you at Bliss later on that night but never found you. Hope you can make it back next year <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cool.gif" alt="" />
BobD and Bette - we sorely missed you this year <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />
Royal Islander: Our SXM home as always. The resort is in great shape. Staff is friendly and accomodating - and they've all been there forever. Always reassuring! The laundry room was in sad shape - my only quibble. All 4 dryers were out of order and they had only replaced one by the time I left. I know..I know...who wants to do laundry...but as in past years, I bring a weeks worth of clothes and wash them to get through my second week. I had to hang dry pretty much everything that first week. Sucked <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> The grounds were as lovely as always.
Mary is still in the lobby bar - we adore her. My Dad surprised me with a early birthday shindig down there on 3/9. I came out of the elevator to "Happy Birthday!" and I said "but...it's not til Monday!". It took a few minutes for it to sink in. Tortuga (RI pool restaurant) supplied the hot and cold munchies and they had a nice cake for me. It was a nice surprise and pretty much all of our RI March friends were in attendance. A good time was had by all.
Car Rental: My Dad pre-arranged it through Flamingo when he was down there in Jan. Had a frighteningly brand new white Mitsubishi Lancer. Plenty of hill power/strong AC - also came with an alarm AND the gear shift lock. Which of course I'd forget to unlock before starting the car 75% of the time <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> We got a few scratches on the bumper, but no major damage. No issues when we turned it in.
Beaches: Rediscovered Dawn Beach this year. Went twice and sat down by Scavenger's. Nice and peaceful - so picturesque! Definitely our new favorite. Went to Mullet 3 times. Calm as a pond twice - surfin' safari the last time I went. Couldn't even get in, but it was fun watching 4 young guys on their surfboards - they had alot of action that day. Went to Le Gallion for the first time (a new favorite of my Dad and his girlfriend). Had a nice relaxing day there! Went to Pinel once. Always nice and quiet - a good place to veg out. Didn't make it to Orient. No particular reason why, we just never got there.
Did a bunch of RI pool time too. We have an "it's good luck" superstition about waving friends/family off when their plane makes the turn at the end of the runway (we stand by the little Driftwood Bar - we're not crazy and stand behind the plane lol) so we had 3 or 4 days at the RI pool for wave-offs. None of our friends took off over the ocean, though the pilot of the 6pm USAir was quite fond of it. Always a thrill to see!
Food: Breakfast in the room and sandwiches for the beach as always. We discovered Pineapple Pete's (Simpson Bay) after meeting Cole and Michaela there - they were eating, we were drinking since we had dinner in. We went back the next night for dinner and dined there again the night before we left. Can't say enough about this place. All male waitstaff - TOTALLY on the ball. Service was quick, friendly and efficient both times. I've worked in restaurants for 23 years and they definitely impressed me. You have your meal in 20 minutes - a rarity with island time.
Their varied menu has everything from chicken wings to Lobster Thermidore. Prices are very reasonable. Kim had the mahi mahi on our first visit and I had the pork tenderloin. We loved every bite - including their to.die.for. garlic mashed and sauteeed veggies. On our second visit, she had the 8 oz. filet and I had their 12 oz. ribeye. Again, just perfect. Cooked correctly and delish. Both times we were fed and out in an hour. We were certainly not rushed out at all - we had places to go and people to see!
We had an informal dinner of fresh mussels and wood grilled pizzas at La Belle Epoque in the Marigot Marina. Food was perfect. Service was a little thin, but they were VERY busy. We didn't mind at all since we decided to have a big old food fest for 5 and had everything arrive at the same time. I look forward to going back there next year.
Pizza Galley (on the Lady C dock across from the Royal Palm in Simpson Bay) is a must do every trip. We ate there twice and it was terrific as in past years. We're fond of their Shrimp Diablo and Mexican pizzas. I adore the man that runs it - so kind and accomodating. You cannot go wrong at the Pizza Galley.
We dined at Bamboo Bernie's once (Maho area by The Caravanserai). We had 4 sushi lovers in our group and they swear by it/loved it. My sister and I had the ribeye - very good. Service was ok, but then again, we were seated in their little tiki jungle. Your server can't even see you unless she comes right out to the table. Fun night with great company!
Heard rave reviews about the breakfasts at Neil Rooney's Spinnaker/SXM Yacht Club (at the drawbridge in Simpson Bay). Many of our Royal Islander friends went back again and again. Hearty, delicious food to start your day. We had the TTOL party there (thanks to mmartinfan!) and it's in a great setting. Plenty of tables inside and out. Neil has done a really nice job over there.
Carousing: Like past years, the Lady C was home base. It's like the Cheers of SXM. Everyone knows your name and what you drink, and it's a great place to meet up with SXM friends. My boyfriend couldn't understand why we'd frequent the same bar night after night, but he got it after a few trips there. Colin, Mike and staff always go out of their way to make us comfortable and "one of the gang". I had a nutso St. Patty's Day here. We closed the joint down and everything. The next day was rough to say the least - I was in bed that night by 8:30 pm. Sad. LOL
We closed Bliss down one night. OY! It's a mere stumble down the beach from RI and a nightcap always turns into 25 of them at this place <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Great techno - interesting crowd.
Activities: The big one for us this trip was the new Lady C lagoon cruise. Until last week, it was free (it now costs 5 bucks). There is a cash bar of course, so you pretty much set your own full price for the trip. It's a two hour journey down towards the Marigot area and back again - they also swing by the Port de Plaisance marina on the way back so they can turn the boat around for docking. There is no guided tour so to speak - you just sit back and take it in. I went 3 times and loved them all. On my second trip, it began to pour on our way back. This young guy in a Red Sox hat went up to the front of the boat and started dancing in the rain. Before you knew it, there were a bunch of people up there - including Gretchen's 77 year old Mom <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> It was a great SXM moment! They play music and we always ran aground at least once (nothing scary lol). From what they told me, they'll be taking her out for 4 trips p/w starting this week. They have the info at many activity desks, or you can just stop by for the scoop on the schedule.
Misc: The weather was HOT. Very few days with a good breeze. We just stayed in the water longer - it could be worse, right? As others have said, the traffic in Simpson Bay was in no way as bad as in past years. We went through at all times of day and night and never got hung up. Always managed to find a great parking spot in the area wherever we went. Used the new short cut over the mountain from P'Burg many times. It's not for the faint of heart <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> but it's quick. Did some email business at The Mailbox in Simpson Bay ($5 per 30 min) and then had a V-8 moment: I remembered that OC Bill had an internet place up by The Summit ($4 per 30 min). We stopped in one afternoon to do our business - wicked nice guy. It was a pleasure meeting him and I'll certainly do business with him next year. Do go up and visit him if you're in the area and need to check in at home <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
Think that's it! Already seeing what our options are for next March - we may get a villa and bring some newbies with us. We'll see, but we'll be back for more hilarity, that's fer sure.
Thank you for reading if you're still awake <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Apologies to anyone I may have inadvertantly left out - the Carib and Presidente gave me many Senior Moments this trip <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
