TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Monday, April 18

Monday, Monday.......can't trust that day!

So this is it - our girls are going home - all of them.

Started the day with coffee in the room and then hauled those young women out of bed and off to the Green Monkey at Ocean Club for some breakfast before their afternoon JB departure. We've dodged the raindrops so far........

And we are just back from dropping the ladies off at the airport. It seems so very quiet all of a sudden. I may just curl up with a book out on the balcony and take a nap.......it seems like it's just that kind of day. Oh, and the girls sent me a message already - they've cleared check-in and passport controls as well as the upstairs security and were settled in at their gate in less time than it took us to get back to our unit.

We enjoyed the quiet for a bit but about fourish we headed out for a gathering of SXM friends at Toppers hostessed by Jackie Rom and her daughter, Mickey. Topper put out a very nice 'nibbles' table and a lot of great people came out for the event. It was nice meeting everyone, so TY, Jackie for putting it all together.

We left there about sixish and headed into P'berg and we were finally able to make it down Front Street to enjoy a dinner at Antoine's and so very glad we did. Jean Pierre was not there this evening though Pierre was and he did the meet and greet, but his regular staff, Leo and Theresa introduced us to their so-called 'apprentices' who then reintroduced themselves to us as the new owners, so I guess it's on the way to happening - one of our favorite island institutions does sound as though it's about to change hands.

Anyway, we had eaten lots of 'nibbles' - right, Jackie? - at the party so we really weren't very hungry, but we still managed to down lobster Cesare Salads and a shared dessert soufflé. It was an effort, but we managed between us to finish. Boy, if true about the changing of the guard, we will miss this place. Some wonderful trip and family memories have all stemmed from the bounties of Antoine's by the Sea over more years than I can remember.

Anyway, we're home now and soon to bed, but wondering as we sit here, what the weather will bring for tomorrow. For those just come or soon to arrive, I hope the forecasts are wrong and the realities are much better than what they're telling us. Today certainly was.......

Thanks for another update. Glad the girls made it through everything in a timely manner.

We enjoyed The Green Monkey also, pretty nice place overall.

Glad you made it to Antoine's and I hope the change will be successful.

Thanks, ruralcarrier.

Re Antoine's, IF it happens, the place won't be the same for us since we won't have the same ties to the new owners who, btw, were pleasant enough. And remember, almost everything on this island is for sale IF the price is right!

Pat--presumably the girls made it all the way home without too much incident. I know the place will seem quiet for a day or two! Sorry about Antoine's, for your sake..

From the sounds of things, they had an easy trip from the PJIA sidewalk and all the way back to CT.

Antoine's? Remains to be seen. So far we've heard about an impending sale from a few anonymous sources and a few times innuendos indicating the possibility, and of course, from the two charming Frenchmen last night who said they were the new owners to be. But the ones we haven't heard it from are Pierre and John Pierre, and until then - not getting too worked up about it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Glad they made it home ok!

Hi Pat

It was lovely to meet you and it did tickle me..... ( Uk saying for making me smile!) about the word Nibble... or Nipples as some people suggested.

Off to the UK today... Hopefully back soon xxxx

Safe travels and who knows, perhaps we'll see you same time next year, and again TY for putting the evening together. It was fun......