Our two week SXM idle is starting to fade away, much like my briefly beautiful tan, and I’m thinking if I don’t soon write my final thoughts on our December trip I never will and it will have faded into oblivion just like most of my tan.
If you’re looking for something short and to the point, or a trip report loaded with the beautiful photography so many include much to all our enjoyment – this would probably not be the best read for you and so, with that disclaimer up front, I’ll muddle on……
Lest I forget completely, car rental was fast and efficient as always - thank you Lesley Bruce and thank you again for having our cell phone from the Queen - Sharon Harris - and for the easy departure at PJIA and also, thanks to Jeannie for doing her usually awesome job of providing everything on our grocery list. Some day we'll find that Beck's n/a beer - I know we will!!
First of all,
the weather....it was 'iffy' with a lot of night time rain and the occasional beach shower - just enough of a shower to force you to pick up your stuff and head for cover. But usually, before you were done picking up the rain itself was done. We even had a thunder storm one morning....and wind. OMG!! Lots of wind that extended far beyond the state of being called gentle breezes. But if you're going to let a little rain spoil a vacation then my words of caution would be, don't ever decide to go tent camping. We had a wonderful trip and throughout the two weeks we were there we only witnessed 'Lake Mullet' one day so it could have been a lot worse.
This is the first time we've ever stayed on the island so close to the Christmas holidays and likewise, the first time we've gotten to see the
Tower’s Christmas tree in the lobby so beautifully adorned with all the appropriate lights and ornaments and the first time we got to see and briefly join the staff pitching in and decorating it – all we needed was some hot chocolate and snow....? It was fun to see and share their efforts and their enjoyment.
We had friends with us for the full two weeks, and that was something new, too, though they spent their first week at the
Ocean Club - and what a very nice place that is. Very 'old Caribbean' in style and friendliness and I can see why so many enjoy it. We’ve often made the SXM trip with family or friends but never with anyone actually with us for the entire two week stay and I was a little worried as to how that might go but it was lovely. We did not share accommodations though we did have one week together at the Towers in seperate units and that was fun – we could scoot down the hall to 'borrow a cup of sugar' (or a bottle of wine?) or whatever… or don our night-clothes after an evening of dinner and the casino and congregate in one apartment or the other for a pre-bedtime game of dice. But at the same time, we had our own cars and the freedom to enjoy activities together or apart as the spirit moved us. IMO, this is really the only way to vacation with friends because as much as you appreciate and enjoy each others company, too much togetherness can sometimes become tedious and/or sometimes, even testy. But this trip, it was all good.
We checked out the
Grand Case Beach Club for a future stay and I was so glad to have done this. Never having heard anything negative I was eager to actually see it in the first person and I’m really glad I did. First of all it's everything good I've ever heard or read but who knew how very small some of the rooms there might be? Perhaps I’m spoiled because even the studios at the Towers are huge and we have a two bedroom unit and I know, had I stayed with the studio reservation after two weeks in a Towers unit I would have been claustrophobic by day one’s close.
We had dinner one evening at
Antoine’s in Philipsberg, and after reclaiming our car from the valet we drove the length of the street and
I was amazed at how beautifully the courthouse was decorated. But for the lighted palm trees, we could have been gazing at a Christmas scene in any New England village – it was all good and beautifully done and nice to see another side of how the same things can be done so differently.
We are basically ‘early morning to the beach people’ so we had
no issues with traffic though it did take us thirty-five minutes one evening to drive from the Towers to Chesterfields for dinner but I think that had more to do with the rain and wet roads than heavy traffic. We did note the bridge openings and tried to make our travels before or after those times and it worked for us, and even getting through Marigot early in the day was no problem. But I will add my sympathies to those who live and work and must keep to some sort of schedule on the island. The bridge openings and the huge number of cars make travel tough for them and they HAVE to be places on time.
We managed to see some of our SXM friends and missed others which brings one thing to mind I really wanted to share.
Our own
‘Cap’n Bob’ aka Bob Cass of Souliga Destinations has entered into a new business venture with none other than his son Brett and no, I don't recall the name of the boat or the specific business enterprise. We had breakfast with them one morning at Chesterfields and got to see the new boat. It’s a sleek and high powered boat specifically designed to their specs and will whisk folks off to a great day of exploring and snorkeling around the various St. Maarten/St. Martin destinations. I don’t know if they’ve made their ‘maiden voyage’ yet but they do have a web-site:
www.souligadestinations.com It might be a trip of interest to those reading this – Bob has a strong and long-standing reputation of being a good and safe tour provider and we look forward to trying it down the road.
Since we got home I’ve been reading and hearing a lot about the mosquito born
chikungunya virus problem and it occurs to me that while we did use either mosquito milk or Off on our feet and legs when we went out in the late afternoon to early evening,
we had no real issues with mosquitoes anywhere. I’m thinking the strong winds were mostly the reason for this, but still - an ounce of prevention……….and in our unit at the Towers we never had the a/c running and even with the screens open most of the day, again, we had no problems with the little buggers.
Though it always happens, the inevitable questions regarding
road stops and crime were both non-issues for us. We never experienced any signs of either and that's always a good thing in my book!!
And re
the golf course - looks great and is being heavily played by locals and visitors alike. Green and maintained as well or perhaps even better than it has been in years. The Santa scramble was happening while we were there. At first I thought the red hats were indications of a few golfers preparing for the season.....duh!
And one last thought - when one leaves CT this time of year in persuit of sunny destinations, they should remember that snow can and does happen at home, and while sandals may be the order of the day for the warm Caribbean climate, it's always a good idea to remember to pack real shoes for coming home again, jic the inevitable should happen. Unfortunately, I missed that line on my packing list. We arrived home to the fact of about ten inches of new snow. Our limo couldn’t navigate our long downhill driveway and the alternatives weren’t pretty. DH suggested I might use one of the suitcases as a sled and I won’t share my response to him but the only choice was to walk down in the snow with carry-on in hand, and toes freezing to bits and with lots of self-directed bad words muttered under my breath. Ah, the price we pay for long sunny St. Maarten vacations.
So here end my reflections of another great St. Maarten get-away but lastly, let me add my very best wishes to all who made it this far without falling asleep – may your holidays all be wonderful, wherever, whenever and however you choose to celebrate them.
Merry Christmas!!
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