TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trip Report ??

I rarely write a trip report since the one I wrote about ten years ago, specifying the restaurants my husband and I had patronized, what we ate, prices, service, etc.
I thought it would be informative, but was accused of thinking I was a food critic. I know there are trolls on every site, but still decided it was no longer worth my effort.

My husband and I had been coming to St. M since '98 and considered it, like many of you, our special place, our retreat.
When I lost him in Dec., 2011, I didn't think I could possibly return, but I did - that very first summer, along with some of his ashes that I set off from two of his favorite beaches - Friar's and Baie Rouge - to send him on another adventure.

Every year since, I bring friends with me, "losing myself" in showing them my St. M. This year was different; my second week guest had to cancel at the last minute, due to a family emergency, so when my initial guest left, I found myself "alone". I placed that in quotes because I have friends on island, both residents and those who we meet up with every year, but my actual living arrangements were solo.

So many complain about the increase in crime, etc. which is true - in fact, last Monday my friend and I were prevented from turning into a side street in Philipsburg because of police tape across the street. We later found out that an attempted robbery of a jewelry store on Front Street had occurred just prior to our arrival. But that doesn't blind me to the beauty of the island.

By being alone (at times), I experienced a catharsis; I found a new beauty on the island by not sharing it, in the moment, with someone else. Today, for instance, I went to Karakter alone (having already been to a different beach each of the past ten days). By 11:30, there were no chairs to be found, so I went to Plan B and walked to the far end to settle in at El Zafiro. What a great choice - being practically alone on the beach (two women on my far left, one man on my far right), pastis in hand, incredibly blue and green water under gorgeous blue skies, I'm now feeling the urge to travel the world alone, glomming onto the notion of being the mysterious woman. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

How great for you! It must be both difficult and amazing to do what you are doing.

I am glad you found El Zafiro. We think it is great.

So many women do it now, more so than a few years ago. I have to give them a lot of credit. Go for it!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

I get it. I lost my husband in 2010. We had been travelling to SXM since 1988. I skipped 2010 but returned a year later. I'm really glad I did.
I have now learned I much prefer travelling alone to bringing a guest.

I do, too! I have brought friends with me some trips and traveled solo other trips. I really like being able to do things on the absolute spur of the moment and not having to take anyone else's schedule into account. I suppose that sounds selfish, but it's the way I like to travel.

I hope I can get up the enthusiasm to do this. I think I'm going to ask some friends to accompany me next March. I don't think I can do three whole weeks, so I might try to rent out a week on either end. I also spread some ashes on several beaches, but a friend who had always put off joining us came down and showing them all our favorite beaches, restaurants and sights made the trip a lot easier.

Way to go "mysterious woman"! Put on those shades and live life! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> Cheers!!

Kudos to you, and I have to say, I'm so sorry you were made to feel uncomfortable posting here in the past. Every last one of us can see the same places and enjoy the same things yet experiencing different effects and walking away with totally different feelings and perspectives and that's okay.

I'm glad you returned (and plan to continue doing so....) and doing the solo thing is going well, and I'm with Beerman. Don those dark and mysterious glasses and enjoy your moments in any way you choose. You're entitled!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

I applaud your courage and fortitude! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> I would only hope my wife would do the same!........ And please try posting your trip reports again and don't worry what the 1% might say. 99% will enjoy it!

Glad you have been able to return by yourself, and please don't let anyone prevent you from posting about your experiences..

Thanks for the report.

Thank you for posting and sharing your experience! I found it to be inspiring! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

And, as everyone else has said... Good for you!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

I think you're my new hero! Post away!

I would love to know more about you--the mysterious woman.
I'm wondering if I could not do what you are doing and yes, you do inspire all of us.

Wow! Thank you, everyone, for the support.
By the way, those of you who know me know my many "unique" (ahem) sunglasses are my trademark, so I don't know how I can pull off mysterious. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />