SXM Trip report 2005
Well another year came and went and on March 1st I set out from home on a cold winter afternoon for Pittsburg from my home in Columbus. All went well on the 4 hour drive down Interstate 70,that is until I got to my hotel room in Pittsburg. Now I bet you are thinking oh the hotel was terrible, wrong the hotel was fine it’s just that I was sick again! I sat on the bed for 4 hours until I have enough strength to go and get my other suitcase from my truck. Anyway I digress. The flights down from Pittsburg through Charlotte were on time and full I met Wendell and Lois (non-girlfriend) at the airport gate in CLT and rode the plane down with them to SXM. Once we were on the ground in SXM the heat wave blasted me and I knew I was not in Columbus anymore.
Day 1
Once I landed went through customs about 25 people deep and all 6 or so lines were like that. I picked up my bag which took a few more minutes and then I met the rest of the crew. There was J.D (AKA ruralcarrier) the tight [censored], Jill (AKA Jill_USPS) how to live on 20 bucks for the week in SXM, and there was Charlie (aka Jill’s husband) give me another Bloody Mary. What a crew this turned out to be. My resort this time was the Royal Palm. This was big step up for me since the last two years I played it cheap and stayed near Phillipsburg. What an improvement it was 1st I was close to everything, so close we almost did not need a car, second lots and lots of room in the hotel, good bar/pool and ok beach. Third everything for the Regatta was right there within a 9 iron shot away. But like I said before I was sick and I was starting to feel it. That evening we all went down to Pizza Pasta for an A+ dinner. I made it an early evening and Jill, Charlie and JD went out and did whatever.
Day 2
Got up and was still sick had a bit more energy but not much. So we packed out things up and set out for Dawn Beach. Spent the entire afternoon at my favorite beach on the island, I ate at Ms. B’s, had a very greasy cheeseburger but good overall. That evening we went to La Vista Hideway wow awesome place but since I still was sick and had no appetite I did not eat much Jill, Charlie, and JD had a great dinner. We left Charlie at the Hollywood Casino and Jill and JD went over to the regatta party at “Port of Pleasure” (More on that is JD and Jill’s trip report) I stayed in due to my illness (I think I have the Asian Bird Flu)
Day 3
Got up and was still sick, getting the theme now? We packed up left Charlie at the Casino Royale @ Maho and headed over to Mullett beach. Surf was up and it was way up 6-8 foot breakers on the beach and people were getting tossed about by it including me. I took two hits and that was it for me. I did not have the energy to handle to much more. JD and Jill had fun getting tossed about in the rough seas. That evening we went down to Pizza Gallery. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I called it early again Charlie went up to the Hollywood Casino again and JD and Jill went to Phillipsburg for the Regatta over there. (I bet I have the Asian Bird Flu and SARS!!!!!!!!)
Day 4
BeaconHillAndrea (aka Andrea) set up for a large group of us to go out and watch the Regatta from the deck of the Lambada. Good choice Andrea. While Jill, Charlie, and JD took a full day charter (more on that in their report) we took the half day sail. The trip was awesome and I would recommend it to everyone. That evening we went to Peg Legs Pub to eat. Shawn is the best waiter hands down and the food was beyond good. Since the party was over in Marigot we all headed to the Lady C and met up with GSK, Jamie and Danny and the ever popular KevinNYC. A good time was had by all. I was kinda starting to feel better. (Still have the Asian Bird Flu, I’m over the SARS)
Day 5
We headed back to Mullett JD and I that is. Jill stayed behind and Charlie was at the Casino. Surf was way down but the occasional rouge wave did hit and tossed people around. That evening was the biiiiiiigggg Regatta party we stopped down @ Pizza Gallery and of course it was perfect. Spent some time @ the BBB and down on the beach. Gotta love the last night party I would say around 7500 people watching Jimmy Cliff and the Reggae band. Called it a night around 3am(Asian Bird Flu still kicking my butt)
Day 6
Went into Phillipsburg so JD could visit Caribbean Gems and do his Jewelry thing. Of course Monday was the big day for the very large TTOL party at the SMYC. JD being the nerd made up everyone’s badge ahead of time and had it waiting for them. I expected around 50 people or so and well at least at many showed up the only no-showers that I knew of were Bruce and his wife. That’s ok there are always people that are unable to attend for whatever reason, besides its their loss because it was a huge party. Got to meet a lot of new people and see all the old friends. After the party we went down the road to Lee’s. I can’t tell you how good just the hamburger was. Afterwards we meet up with the girls at the Lady C. We even got to watch Leslie dance in the half a cage they have.
(Still have that Asian Bird Flu and now I have Laryngitis)
Day 7
Went back over to Dawn Beach for the day. Ohhh its soooooo nice there. That evening JD’s island friend, Junior meet up with us for dinner at the Boathouse. Another great dinner and well Junior is great.
Day 8
Well since I am an airline guy and SXM is the top of aviation enthusiast world, I went down to SSBB and did some spotting. What can I say about SSBB, hmmmm it has done real damage to the area. Way to many people in such a small area. When I was there all the Cruise shippers and their Harley’s were there packing the place, and when they all left at least one really smart person did a really long burn out while holding his motorcycle against the wall, really cool, you almost make me wish your boat world sink. Anyway SSBB has grown a lot. New patio area and new higher prices on beer 3 bucks now. Its been a long time since Neil owned it. The new owners have even gone as far as putting in a private party room. The island is going downhill. That evening Jill, Charlie, and JD went out to Temptations on recommendations from Deepti from DK Gems.
Day 9
Well the dreaded last day on the island. I did the early check in thing @1030am the US Airways counter opened and I was there. Afterwards we went into Phillipsburg again and did some last minute things and then back over to the airport for a on time departure back to Charlotte. US immigrations and customs was quick effective and to the point. My trip back to Pittsburg was delayed slightly but arrived to a cold snowy town. I spent one more night there and drove back to Columbus the next morning.
Well folks that’s it till next time. Overall the island is changing, lots of new buildings and things along the Airport road in Simpson Bay, lots and lots of people in the Simpson Bay area. What most concerned me was the island growth, while good for the island, it does hurt the island, the area is polluted, and lost its small charm that it once had. While I have been only coming here for 3 years now I noticed a big change, while some people love what is going on here, I’m not sure if I do. Two people in our group were both propositioned for sex, on the main road, does that sound like a SXM or Bangkok, Thailand in the 1970’s? So I come to a crossroads for SXM do I start saving now for another Regatta 2006 trip or do I start looking for a new island to check out? I don’t know yet. Will I recommend this island still? Hell yes. Did I have a great trip this year? Yes, while I did not do very much because of whatever illness I have, I still did what I wanted to do and had a great time doing it. Well folks that’s all I can say for this year. I can’t wait to see JD’s report and I really can’t wait to see Jill’s report. Pictures will be posted very shortly I have tons of them……… So until next time………..
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