TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Thursday, April 14th

This was the day we were supposed to be swamped with visitors. We awoke early to a drop dead gorgeous day but we had plans to make and provisions to purchase in anticipation of all our company. DH ran to the grocery while I did some simple preparations - all just in time to be done deals when we got the notification the big group wasn't coming. C'est la vie.

Our daughter and another of our beautiful granddaughters arrived via the JB flight around 12:30. With no lines at immigration and no luggage to claim, they were able to hail the first taxi in the queue and were here by 1:00 pm. Since we seem to have an over abundance of fresh baguette and tuna salad we snacked here in the room and all I can think of was I'm so glad I didn't get the egg salad made, too, because we'd be eating the two for the next two weeks since the girls all go home on Monday.

Lunch done we headed out to the pool and spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying it along with greeting friends from over the years. And then there was also the fact of happy hour which was not to be missed. I can't tell you how many Coronas that crew put away but I can tell you I was very happy it was happy hour and two for one time!

Around fivish we headed up to shower (which takes a while when you are five females and one Dad sharing two bathrooms.....) and we started to think about dinner and to consider our options. Decisions made - and Rancho in Simpson Bay was the restaurant of choice. Kim and Lyndsey had been there in March and really enjoyed the surf and turf. Don't know how, but this was the first time we'd ever been there and I can only say, "why?" The food was excellent and the wait staff was charming. Dinner with wine and entrées and a few after-dinner drinks averaged under $60.00 pp including the built in gratuity. Most had the surf and turf combo - a huge lobster tail with filet mignon while I had the rack of lamb which was incredible, too. Good choice and we all left happy.

We dropped the girls off at the Red Piano while we headed for home. I'm not so sure that was such a great plan but worse case scenario, they can suffer (which best be done in silence) on the beach tomorrow and sleep off the effects of their evening out. And now I'm off to lalaland.

Like I'll sleep a wink till they're all home and in for the evening! Once a mother.............

Sorry the plans for visitors did not work out. Like you, I have never eaten at Rancho but it sounds like another option for the future.

Hope today is another good one! Remember, no naps now!

Sounds like another great day Pat!! Thanks for sharing! Can't wait until it is my turn!!

Thanks for the report! It's been a LONG time since we've been to Rancho either, so maybe we should try it soon also! Surf and turf sounds lovely! Or it's hard to beat a well prepared rack of lamb!

we are enjoying the reports! Cant wait for july so we can be there!!!

Another fun day with family! We have never been to Rancho either as friends have always told us to skip that one when we suggested perhaps going there. Interesting that you all enjoyed it so much. Guess we have have to try it ourselves sometime and see what we think. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Pat- thanks so much for the daily reports. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> Love vacationing vicariously with all of you!!

Thanks for another great installment. They fuel the anticipation for our trip. We arrive Monday. Can't wait. Hope the rest of your vacation is as nice.