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USD / Euro DtDanTanna 1 hour ago In the past, we’ve used USD cash on the French side (grand case), and then received euros as change. But I had thought I read somewhere that French side / grand case are not accepting USD (lolos, taxis, etc) right now.

I always hate paying FX fees, but am curious if we should bring euro this year.

Thank all!

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Air Canada TOWZERONE 2 hours ago we are flying down May 14 with AC
Originally arriving at 2pm
Now its changed 6 weeks in advance to arrive at 5pm

No idea how they can change a flight that far in advance and no idea how AC wins awards
I have flown hundreds of times with them, Westjet, Porter and the old Canadian Airlines
AC is the worst by far out of all of them for cancellations, delays, and then when shid hits the fan with them their is zero sense of urgency

They are making travelling globally extremely tedious so that 5 years down the road most people wont want to anymore
Exactly what Agenda 2030 with the UN wants its even on their website

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AA changed flight mahokid 6 hours ago For the first time in many years there was a direct flight from Philadelphia to SXM in August

guess problem filling plane as this morning received notice we are now connecting our usual route in Charlotte

The direct flights are just so much easier that last year (our first year of retirement) we snuck in a trip to Mexico and enjoyed the direct flight so much we booked a second trip a month later

those with direct flights are very fortunate

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Easter, Day 2 fabila 6 hours ago Our first full day on the island was punctuated by several passing rain showers. They weren’t particularly heavy, but enough of a nuisance that we had to leave our chairs a few times to take cover. Between the weather and the sargassum, we didn’t spend much time in the water, although we did go in for a refreshing dip, and David made good use of a boogie board that Bruno provided.

It felt great to be back at Paradise Bungalows—we hadn’t stayed there since 2017—and we were especially happy to once again be so close to Orient Village, as well as the beach bars and restaurants along Orient Beach. Anyone who has read my reports knows we’re fans of La Playa, so naturally that’s where we spent our first beach day. We enjoyed cocktails along with sushi and sashimi, which we always love.

Later in the afternoon, we took a drive over to Chez Leandra to check if they’d be open on Monday, only to find out they’re closed that day. We’re planning to return on Tuesday for lunch. Rochelle mentioned that if there’s heavy rain they may not open, but with lighter showers, they usually do—so we’ll play that by ear.

We returned to our home for the week and spent some time in the lovely pool at the bungalows, enjoying a relaxing late afternoon swim.

Breakfast at Good Morning Café was a bit disappointing. My croissant was more chewy than flaky, and the same went for David’s chocolate croissant. That said, the omelets we saw at nearby tables—served with fruit—looked quite good.

For dinner, we headed back into the village, which was bustling with activity for Easter. Despite the crowds, we managed to get a table at Sao Asian Restaurant. The interior is very nicely done, with a slightly sexy, lounge-like vibe, comfortable seating, and friendly waitstaff. Since we had already indulged in sushi at lunch, we were in the mood for something hot.

We ordered the shaken beef for David, a Vietnamese dish I know well and often make myself. While it was flavorful, it was quite different from what we’re used to back home and not prepared in the traditional way, so it wasn’t a standout for us. I had the shrimp pad Thai, another dish I’m very familiar with, and unfortunately, the noodles were overly chewy—almost difficult to eat. They seemed undercooked and stuck together in places, giving the dish more of an al dente texture, which isn’t typical for this style. The shrimp were a decent size and had a mild flavor, and the portion itself was generous.

Overall, the meal was just okay. While the setting and service were enjoyable, the food didn’t quite hit the mark for us. It’s always a matter of personal taste, of course, but based on this experience, it’s not somewhere we’d be likely to return.

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Sargassum TOWZERONE Yesterday at 11:57 PM Seeing lots of posts and have never seen that much of it in all the times we have been down to SXM
Is this just a bad year for it ?
Last time in 2017 there was no issue with it

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Pinel closed till further notice SXMScubaman Yesterday at 08:21 PM The ferry dock to get there is totally engulfed in Sargassum and boats can't operate to get to Pinel.

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Grand Case- 1 NIGHT Diega Yesterday at 08:16 PM If you only had one night in Grand Case which restaurant would you eat at????

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French Side Trip Report JohnandBev Yesterday at 07:01 PM We are currently on island March 24, returning April 14
Easy trip down on WestJet, nonstop from Toronto.

Apologies for the length – just kept adding and today decided it’s long – time to post.

Wilfred Birooks took us to our unit in Orient Village at Costa Caribe – complex with two pools. Always a pleasure to talk with Wilfred. Wilfred will take is back at the end of stay.

Car rental thru AAA – we go without a car for the first week to decompress. They deliver, we meet across from Yellow Sub, and they will pick up the car before we leave. Love the service they deliver.

Jeannie of Shop n Drop had stocked our unit in advance so cold drinks at the ready when we arrived. Great customer service. One item was unavailable, Hannie emailed the problem, I said OK to substitute, her choice. Did not disappoint!

Same unit we normally rent, except new mgt co – BHomeSXM – Nathalie Beauty.
Excellent responsive customer service would recommend checking her web site.

Great weather, but there is seaweed on the beach from end to end. It gets cleaned up somewhat and then comes back.

Water a bit of a miss when we first go there. Was supposed to be nightly only, but then Thursday March 26, out for the day with really no info from SAUR. Now its off 9:30 pam to 6 am, except Easter weekend it will be off till 8am. It takes about half an hour after turned on to reach us in Orient.

In the village:
Traiteur On Dirait le Sud is open 7 to 7. Hubert of Aloha is the new owner. A little different, more prepared food. Everything we’ve tried is excellent.

119 Palm is the ice cream place two? doors from Petit Casino. Love the passion fruit, salted caramel and the choco. The Choco is a dark not too sweet flavour.

Tried Mango Café for a lunch quiche, very good. They are open for breakfast and lunch,

Good Morning Café always great as well.

The village square is hopping every night. Love to see it’s busy but suggest reservations if you have a favourite resto and or table choice.

Chez Leandra’s is beach choice most days. Love the creole and jerk. Their jerk chicken and rib plate - $17 US beats anything from the Grand Case LoLo’s. The red snapper has been excellent, very fresh, take the grilled over the fried.
Speaking of the lolo’s, we normally go to the Lolo’s once per trip. More for the view and chaos than the food. This trip decided it will our last lolo adventure, just too much better food elsewhere.

Wilfred’s wife – Kat has a restaurant in the container row just south of the market. – Kats Too Too Korner. Great food with excellent presentation.

As an aside, four of the container resto’s have smokers on the harbour for chicken and ribs. Seems Friday’s and Sunday’s they are in operation but have not yet tried them. Hope it works out, another option vs the Grand Case lolo’s.

Currently running a pizza contest. First contestants were Peau de Vache, Le Piment [ both in the village square.
Peau de Vache – Reine Blanche: cream base, mozzarella, ham, mushrooms, olives and oregano – 15 Euro

Le Piment – Quatro Stagoini: Tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, mushrooms, artichoke, anchovy, parsley and garlic, olive oil drizzle
Name refers to four seasons, hence the ingredients

Judged based on crust, toppings, how well cooked and the kicker …. Last slices the next day for breakfast topped with an egg

Very close, Le Piment by a nose – we like artichokes and anchovies!

Disappointed with the Art Box Gallery in Simpson Bay on Welfare Rd. We have shopped / stopped in several times. We are a fan of the Antoine Chapon water colours. While looking at an Antoine water colour, the person in the store showed us a Roland Richardson regatta painting, which was a bit more money, but we really liked it. We talked for a minute or so with the salesperson about it, the price was on a sticker attached to the back of the pic. We were quoted the price twice; I was ready to buy …. All of a sudden, she remembered the owner said it was priced incorrectly. After 5+ minutes of scrolling in her computer, talking on the phone, the price suddenly was almost double. OK, we were in initially upsold, but I liked the pic. Once hooked the then price rockets on a flimsy pretext … hmmmm.
We left, our last stop at that store! I have a rule, I don’t beg people to take my money.

Will be stopping at Bacchus tomorrow for my Martinque rhum purchases – yum.

As I am writing, I’m watching the sugar birds – we put out a bowl of water with some sugar. Must be a dozen swarming the bowl.
Kontiki has been playing music all day – nice background hope it stays that way.

That’s it so far, reporting from paradise.
John & Bev

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Marigot vs Philipsburg TOWZERONE Yesterday at 02:49 PM Seems to me in talking to people that Marigot is still in rough shape compared to Philipsburg as far as rebuild from Irma 9 yrs ago
Is this because Philipsburg is busier with the cruise ships etc and has more visitors?
Seems to me that their are fewer investors taking a chance in Marigot

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Happy Easter SXMScubaman Yesterday at 02:38 PM Hope all are having a wonderful day. He is Risen.

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