TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trip report November 13-December 4

Recap of our November 3 weeks trip.

Getting there: flew United from EWR non-stop, all went well, including getting tested at Patient First and getting approval from EHAS.
Stayed at Beachside Villas as usual. Beach was good size but the water was on a ruff side for the most of our trip. Met whole bunch of November crowd TTOLers including Pat and Bill and his wife of “ Wildbill”, had some good conversations floating in the pool.
Dining: All breakfasts were in and consisting mostly of eggs, bacon and pastries from either Jules or Le Sucarie.
Had couple of lunches at BBB, love their hamburgers. Tried something new this trip for lunch- Lagoonies, had burgers, were good but like them better at BBB. Also first for us was a lunch at Rancho del Sol on the main road in Orient. Husband enjoyed muscles in the wine sauce, another person in our party said his hamburger was really good and I really liked their chicken spring rolls and Caesar Salad. Service was really proper and place was packed with French patrons. Ironically waiter asked us if we wanted to leave a tip upon presentation of our bill, we said no, he said ok, no problem. Still thumbs up to that place.
Dinners were at Fat Tony’s for their steak night, steak eaters enjoyed them, I had ribs and actually liked them more than the ones I had at a Lo-Lo in Grand Case and Captain D’s in Simpson Bay. Al Pasha for some middle eastern twice, always enjoy there. Tried Vesna for the first time and really enjoyed it also. As our June trip the highlight was again my husbands B-day dinner at Palapa Grill, it is becoming out favorite restaurant at the moment. Thanksgiving dinner was at Pineapple Pete’s and was somewhat disappointing for majority at our table of 10 this year, was not bad but just OK and we been doing thanksgiving dinner there for years. But in their defense they were packed but service was fine. Other nights cooked at BSV on the grill.
Returning home was not bad. Scheduled Covid test through BSV and lady came and did it in our unit with immediate results for $60 per person, very convenient. Printed all forms in BSV office and was all set to go next day. Flight on United to EWR was departing at 7pm and airport was manageable that late. Got home at 1 am to much delight of our 3 dachshunds pups.
Booked for next November already.

Luda

And a good time was had by all.
Thanks for sharing and it was nice finally meeting you if only briefly. Until next trip……🙂🙂

Thanks for the report! Boy, it seems like 3 weeks went fast! Staying at Beachside, just seems like being at home, so it just feels so comfortable.

good you had a great trip and a safe return.

Luda, so glad you had such a wonderful time with your family. I saw many pictures on Jim's facebook. Time seems to just fly by when you're there. It didn't seem like 3 weeks. Hopefully our November trips will align better, miss seeing the 2 of you.

As I recall, wasn't there some issue about a family member testing positive for Covid? What happened?

I'm wondering if we met, we were at BSV also.

You need to post pictures.

We did meet some nice people in the pool.

Luda, it was so nice to see you and Jim, if only for a short time.

Yes, our one grandson picked up Covid in the school about 5 weeks before their scheduled departure to SXM. He was fine, just didn’t feel right for two days, but kept testing positive. Both kids had to stay out of school. Neither parents or his younger brother didn’t tested positive though. So we were worried that he still will be positive for their departure but he tested negative 2 day before. So everything worked out for them and the kids had a blast in the pool and ocean. They took them out on the Rino Riders and 11 year old enjoyed snorkeling, his 5 year old brother not so much. Needless to say, at our age we didn’t jump on that activity! They really liked a calm waters of Pinel island, especially the 5 yr old and feeding lettuce the iguanas there. I got bit by one, he missed lettuce and nipped my finger.
It was third SXM visit for the older one and the second time for the 5 yr old. Their father, our son been going with us to SXM since he was a little kid and now bringing his children there. Funny, the BSV maid Smarthie is still remembers him as a boy. His wife never been to SXM before she met him but now loves it also. This was her 5th trip. He proposed to her in SXM on the observation platform on French side on the way to Oyster Pond.
Ok, enough of boring you all with the family history. Just happy that the family tradition is continuing on.

Yes, I think we met, but you guys left earlier.

Georgia, so sorry we didn’t get to get together again, we got so busy with kids and all their activities. Actually at the end of the third week we we more tired than relaxed. But it looks like you guys had a great time!

Thanks for your report. The Rhino Riders are a lot of fun. I had a blast.

Our son proposed to his girl (now wife) of 10 years) on that same platform Snuba. Beautiful place.

snuba--so happy it worked out for you. Sounds like a lovely family trip!

Thanks for the great trip report. We'll be at BSV in February. With whom did you set up the onsite Covid test with? That sounds really slick. Thanks.

Panman, on-site manager Vicki will set up an appointment for you. Lady comes right to your villa, $60 cash or credit card, results within few minutes, very convenient.

Thanks very much for your help. So convenient.