TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Tuesday March 15

Another windy day and rain overnight. I attempted to go to Mullet Bay and reported that in a separate post yesterday. Topped the car up with gas, and also reported in a post yesterday. GEBE outage about 12:15 so I was stuck at Atrium until the generators kicked in about 30 minutes later.

Bill and Mort had gone to Gutside so I decided a rum punch at Lagoonies was in order. The place was somewhat busy, so I took a bar seat and ordered. A young couple sitting a couple of stools away were smokers. Not really a problem unless you want your ashtray to my right and you are to my left and wanted to reach in front of me to put your smoldering cigarette out. After one time doing this, I moved the ashtray away so it would not happen again. Pretty rude.

I had 2 rum punches, a burger with fries and a small salad. The burger was ok, the fries left a lot to be desired. Much better and crispy fries at Bar Code last week. I was almost able to get a residual high from the table outside using (medical?) marijuana as it wafted into the restaurant. Sometimes their service leaves a lot to be desired. I had decent service at the bar but others at tables were not so lucky. Service charge not added but I did hear some larger groups being told it was included, who knows?

Lee's for HH and then to Maho to meet Gretchen at Jax for dinner as Bill and Mort were meeting a couple of friends at Tortuga. I found parking quickly and then to Jax. We each had a drink or wine, entrée of surf and turf (6oz filet and 3 shrimp), Gretchen also had a Caesar salad that she raved about. We each had a dessert. I thought the entree prices were very fair, same as the drink, but dessert prices were very high compared to other places. Very good meal and presentation along with the service. No service charge was added to the bill. We parted ways and I then met the others at Tortuga for a drink and went back to Atrium.

Today is packing and departure day and the winds are still here. The plan was for a quiche from Le Sucrière but even though they open at 6:00, at 6:45, they were still stocking and had not quiche yet. When I asked when they might have them, the person indicated she did not know. I will try again in about 30 minutes. This did allow me time to post this update.

On a positive note, I was able to connect with several friends from past trips, met up with Junior Bruney and Mello a few times each but I never was able to connect with Grace Bruney due to her work schedule. A good trip once I got here. Good condo/unit mates made things nice as well but I am still very much on the fence at best on a future trip until the restrictions, requirements and mask mandate is done.

Thanks to Bill and Mort for hosting me.

This is probably it until I get home. Long travel day with a connection in ATL and scheduled arrival at DAY around 12:30am Thursday morning. Hopefully it is a much more uneventful trip home than coming down.

Good luck and safe travels!

Glad you were able to meet up with some old friends. Safe travels and hope the trip home goes smoothly.

Safe travels home - after your trip to the island you deserve a good trip. And thanks for all the island updates, news and facts of your travels. 🙂🙂

Thanks, and thanks for your hospitality.

"Service charge not added but I did hear some larger groups being told it was included, who knows?"
If I'm not mistaken the menu states for groups of 6 or more there is a SC. Easily overlooked. Safe travels. Those long flights are no fun. We have those from west coast.

Safe travels, JD. Sure would like to see you at Horny Toad this fall!

Thanks for taking us alone for the ride! Enjoyed your daily reports. Safe travels, always!

They only menu I saw was a small chalkboard with the daily specials and a burger that is not on the board. No idea if they have a printed menu but I never saw one.

Got to my house about 1:00am this morning. Just another 13 hour travel day.

Glad you made it home safely. When we go to sxm we fly the redeye from Seattle to Miami then 4hr layover then to sxm arriving 1 ish. Going home it's a 2ish flight to MIA then to Seattle getting in 10:30pm same day. Both very long travel days.

Glad you arrived home safely, JD. I wish all my travel days were only 13 hours!

Yes, you have it even worse. Something those with direct flight options have no idea about.

That is why some of us west coasters stay longer to avoid that long trip home. LOL

JD, you should have stayed longer. Yesterday the winds were back to normal and La Sucriere had quiche!

I tried. I got a quiche on Wed. Enjoy the rest of your time.