Our 8th Trip to St. Martin

Left Newark on Continental, Friday, April 25th. Flight full and we arrived about 25 minutes early. Through immigration, got luggage, on to Panoramic to pick up car and to Royal Palm in about 35-40 minutes. Met Bill and Janet at luggage pick up and again at the supermarket. Very nice people.

Check in was a breeze, resort looked great and we got a room in a great location.

Sent kids to the pool and Joe and I went to Le Grande Marche to stock up on goodies for the week.

It was cloudy out but we were here. Got Lido’s Ribs for dinner. The ribs were delicious and sides were plentiful. Turned in early. We were tired.

Day2 – Saturday

Bakery run to La Sucerie for French bread, chocolate and regular croissants. Excellent as always.

It was cloudy and rainy today. Made lunch and headed out to Baie Rouge. Water was rough and had a bad undertow. Started to rain and after about 25 minutes we left. Went to Marigot and stopped by a group (Taxi Assoc.) having a party by the cemetery. Stopped to chat with the “boys” and bought 2 ½ racks of ribs, hot off the grill for $6.00. Parked in a space and we all ate. They were delicious.

Hung out at Royal Palm and drank rum punches all afternoon. The kids (15 and 13) met some girls (always a good thing) and they were happy.

Tried Mark’s Place for dinner that night. Out 1st time. The sign said they had mussels so I was thrilled. Of course when I ordered them there were none left. We had 2 orders of salt fish fritters, ribs, rack of lamb and 2 red snappers with garlic butter sauce. All served with veggies and potatoes and soda. Bill with tip was $76.00. Good food and very reasonable.

Day 3 Sunday

Usual bakery run then went to Orient. Still somewhat cloudy but sun was trying to stay out. Water was a little colder than our usual August trip but good waves for the boys to body surf. Back to Royal Palm for the afternoon. The boys met up with the other teens and hung out.

Pineapple Pete’s for dinner. Dinner was excellent and Mark the waiter even remembered Ty and that he liked his steak rare and cooked in balsamic vinegar. Dinner was conch fritters, mahi mahi with creole sauce, Joe had the short ribs and I had the lamb shanks. Sodas and ice teas - $112.00 including tip.

Day 4 Monday

Joe and I went to US Export early. They remodeled the store an its really nice. Picked up our French goodies and then headed to town to Rima’s for pareo’s for the girls at work. Home, made lunch and headed to Mullet around 11:00. We have never been to Mullet before. It was very hot, no breeze but had 7 –12 foot waves. The kids were thrilled and had a ball body surfing. Met a nice couple who were getting married next week and they filled us in on their upcoming island wedding. Had Rosie’s ribs. They were good, but a small portion for the money. We like Lido’s better. Back to Royal Palm after 3hours or so of sun and took a nap in the shade. (never thought I would ever want an umbrella to sit under)

We were all tired so we had Lido’s for dinner and went to bed early. 2 meals and 4 racks of ribs - $34.00. My kids ate ribs every day.

Day 5 – Tuesday

Left for Orient around 9ish because our friends were coming to SXM on a cruise. They were a little lost and after 2 hours we finally found each other. The kids were all happy to see each other. We all had a picnic lunch and headed over to Mullet and the waves were just a big and we stayed until 3:30. Back to Royal Palm for happy hour at the pool and our apt. We all headed out to Pineapple Pete’s for dinner. Conch fritters, crab stuffed shrimp, lamb shanks, rack of lamb and escargot and shrimp with coconut rum sauce and sodas. Had a coupon and dinner was $122.00 including tip.

Our friends loved the island beaches and dinner and want to visit for a week or so. (I told them.) They headed back to their ship and we all went home to bed. My husband did a record of 6 hours on the beach – HE”S THE BEST!!!

Day 6- Wednesday

Usual bakery run. Corey is now requesting 4 elephant ears plus his usual breakfast. Headed to Orient to meet up with my uncle from Florida who was on a cruise. Haven’t seen him in years and we had a nice visit on the beach. They headed back to their ship and we went back to Royal Palm. After 6 hours yesterday, we were a little sunburned. Joe and Ty napped and Corey and I went to the beach.

Went to Paris Bistro for dinner. This is an excellent restaurant. Lionel remembered us from August. Dinner was AWESOME. Started with a taste of shrimp bisque soup. Corey, Joe and I had the prix fixe menu (appetizer, entrée and dessert) 2 seafood with puff pastry, goat cheese toast with salad. This was followed by an apple sorbet with calvados. We had 2 racks of lamb and 1 seafood ocean plate. Ty just had rack of lamb.
Dessert was 2 chocolate soufflés with ice cream and hot chocolate sauce and crepes Suzettes flambéed tableside. Sodas and ice teas. Dinner was about $185.00 or so (I was way too full to think) It was delicious!!!!!!

Day 7 – Thursday

Went to Mullet for our last day. Waves were very small today but there was a breeze. Stayed about 3 ½ hours and headed back to Royal Palm. Had happy hour and said good by to all the people we had met who were lucky enough to be staying another week.

Back to Pineapple Pete’s for our last dinner. Conch fritters, escargots, lobster thermidor 2 fish and chips and lamb shanks and sodas. Excellent dinner as usual.

Home to pack.

Day 8 – Friday

Got up early to finish packing. Airport check in, car drop off and flight home were all uneventful. Long wait at immigration. We live about 30 minutes from Newark airport so we arrived home around 7:00.


This was a short trip (spring break). We usually go for the first 2 weeks of August. Never felt unsafe. Carried my pocketbook and wore jewelry.

Carnival was going on and traffic was light. Much better than in August.

Mohamad at Panoramic was great as usual. Our a/c stopped working on Tuesday and Joe called in the afternoon and in 15 minutes as had exchanged car for another one. This car was bigger and nicer. Mohamad rocks!!

Cellphone from Sharon is convenient and great to have. We never made a reservation (forgot) and she was able to accommodate us.

Brought our 4 beach chairs taped and wrapped in a garbage bag. Had no problems either was and they were considered 1 piece of luggage. This works for us because we sometimes go to 2 beaches each day and usually don’t stay all day.

A wonderful trip and way too short. Great tans and lots of good eating and new friends. Can’t wait until the next time.

Joe, Carolyn, Corey and Ty