TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin SXM acquaintances who left an impression on you.

Different Ray, but Ray Mann was a good guy also.

I think his name is George.

dave--it was Ray Minelli.

The former Pedro's chair guy/sand sculptor/ waiter at Cheryl's? I always thought his name was George.

past employees at the Atrium, Dianna Thomas, Patricio(Patrick),Lionel and all the smiling ladies at the front desk who could teach Dale Carnegie a thing or two about "How to in Friends and Influence People.

Winston Blythe...first taxi driver/bodyguard from the pre-driving days
Geraldine & Nicholas....years ago at Alamanda
GP...many, many fine afternoons of cocktails, music and conversation at KO
Corrina & Laura...happy hours at Bikini
Andy, Anthony and the always welcoming Cheryl

Some of these people I haven't seen in a few years and some are no longer with us, but they all have helped make special memories in a special place.

First & foremost would be Ursula Oppikofer & Tito from I Love My Island Dog - the work they do for the island's four-legged residents is fantastic! The other(who I never had the pleasure of meeting) would be the late Erika Cannegieter-Smith - so glad her organization, Be The Change St. Maarten, continues to do the great work she started!

The bartender at Cheri's sounds like it may be Darnell. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

I forgot one other who has made an impression, Patrick Cuicci aka Big Patrick( Patrick is French but speaks several other languages fluently). We met him at the kiosk bar that Bikini ran before they tried a juice bar and turned it back into a "real" bar. Patrick was long gone but he has turned up all over the island, bartending, waitering, etc. He's a great guy and makes the funnest faces. Charming guy who we saw last at BBB and had a cocktail with him.

We agree that these kind people at Divi will always be part of our fond memories of visiting SXM. We first met them when our 24 year old daughter was a 5 year old, and she still looks forward to getting a hug every year when we return. I don't remember her name, but the woman who does hair braiding at Divi also greets us warmly every year, because our daughter was a regular user of her services for many years.

I was sad to return and realize Walter wouldn't be there to welcome us for dinner.

The Doctor (T-Bone, The Reverend) at Sea Palace and subsequently,Paradise Cafe, who made drinks that did surgery on your brain.

For me it is my weeks 11 and 12 Royal Islander ''family'' that we reaquaint with every year for the last twenty years or so. The ''family'' consists of not only other timeshare owners, but also Lucy, Sherrell and the entire front desk staff, the bartenders and servers at Tortuga, Andy andCheryl from Andy and Cheryl's....our friends at Le String, and everyone else that makes our annual visits so meaningful and fun.

On behalf of Erika and Be The Change, thank you <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

That's definitely George, who certainly is on my list. As with others, too many to list, but just some: Andy and Cheryl, Deepti - her brothers, Bruno and Geraldine, Cecile, Neil, Jeannie, Sharon, Michael, Di, Sebastien, Paul-Alan-Francois, Philippe - both Philippes, Dave and Ray.

Holy cow, how could I forget the infamous Reverend T-Bone who also worked at Tortuga Café at Royal Islander La Plage in 2006. I saw him in November of 2014, he stopped in while we were playing bingo at Tortuga. He was his usual vivacious self, always giving out plenty of hugs, kisses and smiles!!!

Alan, at the old Pelican "B" pool bar

You are right it is George. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> Another person is Paul and his wife Carol (the ones that do the around the island tour on the speedboat. We have enjoyed our time talking with them about the island and Holland.

It is closed after last year.

Ursulla and Tito on the top for me. I love my island dog!

Over the years there have been quite a few.....
Bob Barron was pretty much the first person we met. Back in 1995 on my first trip to the island, back when he was "King Bob" at Sapphire and I met him at the welcome party our first night...and sang "I Got You Babe" with him. We have been friends ever since!

Manu from Touch of Gold. We spent a lot of time shopping at ToG, He got married and had a child, and we went out to dinner a couple of times on visits. Then he left SXM and we lost touch.

Marty and Lori at The Dream Pool Bar. Met Marty first when visiting friends who were staying at Caravanserai. Then we stayed there two years in a row and got to know him and Lori...and they have become dear friends.

Neil at Gold Creations in Maho. We spent many hours year after year shopping at Gold Creations with our friend Neil, and spent many hours socializing with him as well. Tragically killed in a motorcycle accident several years ago at too young of an age. Miss him still.

Roger at Gold Creations (now at Riviera across the street). Grew close to him because of Neil. Stayed closed to him because he and his family have become dear friends of our family.

Bert and Jill from the Ocean Club. Got to be friends with Jill when she worked on the Celine. We both had Pittsburgh roots. Stayed friends with her and spent many hours at their bar/restaurant at the Ocean Club over the years. We had a big rum jumbie hat that my husband got one year that would hang on the wall year round at Oasis, and Paul would wear when sitting at the bar during our vists. We took the hat home several years ago when they left Ocean Club....and it makes me sad to see it because I know that Bert and Jill are no longer on SXM.

Neil of the Celine. One of our dearest friends and an honorary family member. My kids have grown up going on the Celine every year since birth (and even during each preganancy!) and we were all heartbroken when she was destroyed this fall. But we had already gotten to know Celine too while Neil was working on her during previous trips so we look forward to many more years sailing with Neil!

Tamara who works with Neil on the Celine. We have gotten to know her over the past couple of years and she has now found a firm place in our hearts.

Jeannie of Shop and Drop. She has made our trips so much easier with kids! And she is such a happy and kind person. Can't say enough about her!

Lee from Lees Roadside Grill. He and his former co worker (Chi Chi?) were must stop visits in our early days before Lees become so big. Our first visit there were two plastic tables and chairs. Chi Chi left the island and Lee is never there when we stop in. Miss those days.

Gustave the night attendant at Sapphire. I think he got a kick out of us in our early days. When we first started coming I was single and I came with my best friend. Gradually I added a husband, then 4 kids. And he always greeted us with a big smile through the years!

Mickey at Tropicana rental car. He saw us through flat tires, keys lost in the surf, and our car being totalled while we ate at Turtle Pier. Plus a lot more I am sure!

I am out of time but know there are a lot of others who have made SXM special! Counting the days until I am back there!