Caribbean Pipe Dreams: St. Maarten/St. Martin edition!
March 19, 2011 through June 2, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011 – Travel Day to St. Maarten:
Up early to get ready to go. We have coffee, and Gerald has a piece of toast. We do the final rituals of packing, jamming stuff in and weighing of the suitcases. I’m trying to make a last entry to the blog before we go, so I’m packing, make an entry, stuff, make an entry, weigh suitcase, make an entry… you know the drill. And you want to know what’s scary? Leaving the room and coming back in to see Gerald with his fingers on my computer keyboard…randomly hitting keys. (I shudder!) And then the look he gives you like… “what?” Then he says …you want me to update your blog! AAAAHHHHH! Step away from the computer!!!!!
Now we wait for Big John to come pick us up. He is supposed to be here at 7:30a but he’s not here yet. He’s always been prompt before, so this is unusual. We’ve given ourselves plenty of time, but still. I’m not able to run down tarmacs so I don’t want to take a chance on it. Finally at a 7:42a I call John and let him know we are ready for him to pick us up. He’s waiting on the other side of the complex! He was thinking he needed to take us at 9:30…and had an appointment for another couple so he was waiting for them there! At least he was here. Gerald had already heaved the suitcases down the stairs, so I only had to haul myself down. We got loaded up and off we went. He apologized for the mix up…but like I said…we had plenty of time anyway so it wasn’t a big deal.
As we headed to the airport I remembered that today was a full moon. Not only a full moon, but a special BIG full moon to boot, where it’s closer to the earth than ever. Which means I am on high alert and will be uber conscious to be extra careful today, especially since I was unable to get enough foam to wrap myself in! (if you recall, I fell and hurt my ankle during the full moon in January)
Now, Big John is a wonderfully nice guy, and I would no doubt ride with him again without concern, but if you are squeamish, he’s not really the driver for you. We have been transported numerous times without injury up to this point, but he does weave and look around a little. I think he has a guardian angel for sure. This morning on our way to the airport…a whole troop of angels was required! (and nearly a new set of underwear!) And this is why:
We were driving along, minding our own business, and got behind a pickup truck going slow, but at least he did have his hazard lights flashing. There was also a big car between us. I guess because Big John was feeling a little responsible for not picking us up on time this morning, he felt the need to drive faster today than he ever has, unfortunately he didn’t leave out the weaving or looking around part. Great. Oh well, just get us there. We started going up a hill, so naturally that made every go even slower, and I think Big John was getting a little impatient. He pulled to the right lane to pass. Unfortunately it was only a short distance to the next hairpin turn…a very short distance. More unfortunate was the big utility dump truck that came flying around the corner just as Big John was starting to catch up with the car that had been in front of us. It was at this point that it became clear that the pickup truck apparently decided he would go faster, the car that we were ALMOST next to was declining us access in between him and the pickup truck, and that the dump truck was showing no signs of slowing down. I assumed that Big John, seeing that the opportunity to pass was quickly deteriorating (if there ever truly was an opportunity), that he would just back off the gas and take his place in the left lane, once again behind the big car. But you would be wrong…just as I was. I thought at one point he had decided to back down because the van stalled, bogged down, jerked and sputtered. But no, that was not what happened. It was Big John hitting the gas and the van was reacting by choking! (probably didn’t want to do it either!). This is when Gerald and I thought we were going to die…and if we did survive, I was going to need a change of underwear for sure. I grabbed Gerald’s hand and he grabbed mine. We looked at each other, said our I love you’s and goodbyes with our big sad bulging eyes and gazed back forward to witness the horror that was surely about to unfold before us.
No one was backing down … at all. The pickup truck to our left was picking up speed … the utility truck heading towards us didn’t show any signs of deceleration but was proceeding as if no one was approaching him head-on, and we were finally gaining uphill momentum, but only enough to at last get past the big car. It was shortly after that, that the itty bitty, barely two lane road became a three lane road for a pickup truck in the left lane, a passenger van in the middle and a utility truck in the right lane. Of course, both trucks on either side of us had two wheels off the road…but nonetheless…there were three large vehicles side by side on that road. And thanks to the Angels surrounding us that morning, there was no loss of life, injury or property damage (even my drawers!). John said nothing about the incident, as if it never happened or was part of normal driving here, only continuing to apologize for the mixup with the other couple he was to pick up at 9:30a and talk about his personal dealings with the local hospital and Dr. Pedersen. I had to pinch myself to be sure I was not having a bad nightmare (which is what it seems like now). I think even Gerald needed a Xanex after that!
I took a picture of this tree so you could see it. It is a rubber plant gone wild in the tropics! So if you bring your rubber plants down here…this is what they will eventually turn in to!
We got to the airport - safely. Since it’s not a big airport…there aren’t any porters helping people out…just in! Big John helped Gerald take the luggage to the curb, but then Gerald had to make several trips back and forth, taking the suitcases from the curb to the check-in line. He finally got all our stuff up to the counter and we checked in. We were about the second people there – so still plenty of time to spare. The clerk asked if I needed a wheel chair and I told her I would try to get by without it (later to discover it was probably a bad decision). She took the 4 check-in bags (luckily they were not overweight this time) threw them on the conveyor belt behind her, gave us our boarding passes, then Gerald grabbed the 2 carry-ons and his guitar and we were off to head into the terminal.
Not too bad so far right? Wrong. Because then we had to go through customs, which in itself was not bad. The bad part was we (meaning Gerald) had to pick up our suitcases from the luggage carousel (Apparently when the clerk threw the suitcases on the conveyor belt, it only took them on the other side of the wall!), then we (Gerald) had to haul them across two large sized rooms to put them through the scanner. WTH? Poor Gerald. Back and forth…back and forth again and again. About 4 trips later, he’s done with the check-ins and we get to go through security! Seeing how the morning was going…this was going to be fun!
They were very nice in security though. I did have to take the boot off and put my crutches through the scanner. They did give me a wooden cane to use to limp through the detector. They told me to take my time and was a nice as they could be. Luckily there weren’t too many people there yet. We got through ok, they gave me a seat to get myself together and put my boot back on. We had to wait while they unpacked my black carry-on though. It had all the electronics and cheap jewelry in it…so I’m sure it didn’t look good, but they always look at it anyway. And I was ok with it.
We finished, got our bags and headed to the gate. We still had lots of time, but people were starting to come in now. We did good with the timing for sure. It was then that we decided to valet our two carry-on pieces (electronics, jewelry and all) and just take Gerald’s guitar and my bag ...er…purse, on the plane with us. Gerald also decided he was going to ask for some assistance getting on and off the plane. Maybe they would let us board first…or last so we wouldn’t slow the angry herds of people down, or not leave without us if the plane was too far out on the tarmac. He spoke to the ticket agent, and she said the plane was just outside the door, and she would help us best she could, but no wheelchair (even though there were about 5 lining the wall by the gate). Almost time to board and I hurried (as best I could) across the airport to the restroom (Gawd knows that would not be a pretty sight!). Just as I returned the people were all lined up and prepared to board. Gerald said no one came to see about me … great. I figured we would just wait until the last then, so that we wouldn’t risk being run over and trampled by crowd in their hysteria to leave the island!
Just then, when we resolved and I sat down to wait for the crowd to disperse, the ticket agent came over and said it was time to go now. She guided us to the door, out onto the tarmac and towards the plane just outside the door. The steps were built into the plane door and were not very stead. The steps were also tall and I felt uneasy going up them. The flight attendant came to the door to help and I almost lost my balance when I reached for the rail and there was none to grab. I had been looking down paying attention to the steps and didn’t notice that the hand rail stopped at the previous step! I hate my ankle right about now!
I got myself up on the plane, and of course it was a small one…island to island. Bigger than the ones to Belize for sure, but I had to go down sideways. Luckily they had put us in the last row so we didn’t have far to traverse in the plane. Nice to know they think ahead about some things.
In the plane and seated, Gerald broke my crutches down and got them in the overhead per instructed by the flight attendant. We had taken advantage of the valet for our carry-on pieces so the only thing left was his guitar and after everyone put their bags away, Gerald placed his guitar in the overhead too. Then our flight to St. Maarten began.
It wasn’t a bad flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico. There were a few clouds so we had some bumps. Pretty short flight, only about 35 minutes total, so really only about 20 minutes in the air. No refreshments were offered, which is ok since we bought a bottle of water. We got up in the air and I could clearly see Puerto Rico, Viechas, St. John and St. Thomas, plus some of the BVI’s. On our approach to the San Juan airport, we ended up having to circle the island since there was a lot of traffic coming and going, which took us over the water. Normally they approach over land, and the departing flights take off over the water, but today we were flying over the water! But, we got to see the City, the Old Towne and the forts. That was cool. Should have taken pictures! Don’t know why I didn’t, I take pictures of everything else! Oh I know why…the cameras were in the valet’d bags!
As we were circling over San Juan and Puerto Rico in general, I made an observation. MAN there are a lot of people there! There are buildings EVERYWHERE! Monstrous subdivisions, high-rise apartments and hotels. It looks like New York! Rarely an unpopulated area to be seen excluding the mountains. And as far as roads and highways? They have tons of them! I guess they have to for all those people! 4 lane, 6 lane, 8 lane, 10 lane…even saw a 12 lane road and that wasn’t even including the toll road area!
We finally got to land and Gerald and I waited until the last to get off the plane. The flight attendant said we could get off first, but again, I didn’t want to be trampled, or crabbed at, so we just waited till last. When the plane emptied, we got the crutches out and I clumsily hobbled down the steps of the plane. A young man was there and said he had a golf cart for me so I should wait to get the valet bags and then get on. Apparently the airline must have called ahead about me. Unfortunately, by the time I got off the plane and walked towards the golf cart, 5-6 old hags jumped on the cart with their bags and two others were waiting to get on. I didn’t begrudge two of them…one was humped over and the other one was pretty old, heavy and looked exhausted just from leaving the plane. But I will tell you that I didn’t notice any of the others with problems. They just didn’t want to walk. So as I stood there on my crutches watching these old women scrambling for the last seat on the cart and clinging to their luggage that would not fit on the cart with them, my stubbornness got the best of me, so I got miffed and decided to just walk. Gerald and the young man were trying to talk me in to taking the last seat but I refused. I’m not going to argue with a bunch of old bags that probably have a collective 300 year seniority over me! I hoped the old bitties felt some guilt as they watched me hobble by…but I doubted it. (age before beauty right?) We got our suitcases and started walking towards the flight of steps I would need to climb to get up to the airport gate. Then suddenly a smaller golf cart pulled up beside us and motioned me to get on. Upon Gerald’s urging I did…at least I didn’t have to fight anyone for the ride! (I’m assuming they called for another cart). He took us to what appeared to be an employee entrance, and inside the entrance was a room that had an elevator that we could take upstairs. Also inside the room was the herd of old bags … one of them (not even the worst of them) was in a wheelchair getting in the elevator. The worst of the bunch was hobbling herself towards the only bench that was in the room, trying to persuade the other “hefty bag” that plopped herself down, to move over and let her sit. What a sight!
Meanwhile, I clip-clopped over to the elevator and made my way upstairs, then past the crowed, around the corner to the next gate. Luckily it wasn’t very far, and had a restroom next to it. Luck was shining on us! We found seats close to the gate and Gerald went over to the Cini-bun place and got us a roll to split. It wasn’t long before a ticket agent showed up and they were getting ready to make the announcement about boarding. Gerald went up to see if we could get some assistance, but before he could get back there were two airport employees with a wheelchair standing by me! They had been advised and were ready for me! Gerald said when he went up and asked the ticket agent for help, the guy knew our name and said “Simons? Yes we have some help for you.” They let us finish the cinnamon bun and put me on the wheelchair and off we went, around the corner, down the same elevator, through the same room, out the same door to a golf cart waiting to take me to the next plane to St. Maarten. Wow…that gal that I talked to at Off the Wall in St. Croix said to tell them to get me a wheelchair, but I didn’t want all the attention! But I have to say…this was nice! No crowd to run through, they came and got me!
They were even nicer on this leg and helped me up on the plane and into my seat again…back row of course. The flight attendant previewed the emergency exits and procedures with us and even asked me about where it would be best to grab me to cause the least amount of pain in case of an emergency! I sort of stared at her blankly … then said, “If there is an emergency…just grab whatever is available, I don’t really care! Don’t worry about the pain…get me off the plane!” She laughed! Gerald broke down my crutches and the flight attendant told him to go ahead and put them and his guitar in the overhead and shut it. Most of the bags they were making everyone valet anyway, and if it was closed, most likely no one would open it anyway. Most likely … according to Murphy’s Law, of course. The people started to board and the first people in the plane was an older couple (I feel like I’m picking on old people today!). They were sitting in the seats in front of us. (actually they were to have the isle seats in the row in front of us, but sat in the two seats in front of us until someone made them move). Now mind you, every overhead compartment was open…except the one above us. Which one do you think the old guy went for? Yup. The closed one, over us. He opened it and threw in his bag and started to shove it and before we could say anything, he determined it wasn’t going in so he picked the next one…over them… and tossed it in, then sat down. I’m speechless. Well, not really speechless, but if I go on I will start ranting about old people, a sector of the population that I have recently joined, so I would just be talking about myself anyway!
Everyone got settled in and the plane took off without further incident. The flight was only going to be about an hour total. We flew back over Puerto Rico, then St. Thomas, St. John and the various BVI’s of which I don’t know all the names. Then further out we past some other islands that I don’t know what they were called. Finally descending to St. Maarten. In the distance I could see Saba, Statia (St. Eustatius) and St. Barths (couldn’t see Anguilla – it was on the other side of the plane) … I knew we were close then! I took my camera out of the carryon this time so I could take some pictures!
**This is Saba:
**This is Statia:
(St. Barths is to the left of Statia under the clouds.
You can’t see very well because of the haze)
**This is Sunset Beach Bar where you can sit and watch all the planes come in and the idiots ride the fence when the big planes (like Air France) take off and they get pelted and blasted by sand, or blown into the ocean! It is a fun place though!
**Here are some of the boats in the Simpson Bay.
**This is the end of the runway…remember we are on a very small plane and not much room is left!
**This is the airport.
**These are private planes…wonder what stars are on the island or on St. Barths (they usually fly into St. Maarten first then they have to take a smaller plane like the one below to St. Barths).
We’ve landed safely and now it’s time to get off the plane. Once again, we wait until everyone has left before we get out. Here they have shuttle buses to take you from the plane to the airport terminal. I figured I would just catch the next one, but the airline personnel held the bus, and made someone give up a seat for me! (obviously someone called ahead!) The bus took us to the terminal and I figured I would just sit in the bus till they all rushed off, but one guy looked at me and say hurry and I’ll hold back the masses! I got off the bus as quickly as I could and was met with an airport staff holding a sign with my name on it and a wheelchair! How embarrassing! But it’s a pretty long walk to the immigration line so Gerald hollered at me to take the darned thing and go! So I did. This guys pushed me up the long ramp inside the terminal and then to the herds of people waiting in line at immigration. We already had our papers filled out, and I figured he would just drop me off and we would wait along with everyone else. But I was wrong. The guy wheeled us to the line for the residents (which there are rarely any people in) and we were through in 2 seconds! WOW! Then he pushed me right up to the luggage carousel, shoving all the other people aside and waited there for our luggage to come out, got us a porter, heaved it on the dolly and escorted us outside to pick up our ride to get the car!
Patrick was waiting for us and he was a little shocked to see me in the wheelchair. I told him I didn’t know it was going to be this way! He said he would take us to the hotel first so I could check in first then take Gerald to get the car, but then he decided to just take us to the car rental place since it is on the way and I could stay in his car and then Gerald could drive the rental car to Flamingo. He followed Gerald all the way there! I kept thinking stay to the right Gerald! It was odd going from driving on the left to now driving on the right…but better to get used to it here than back home where no one has any patience!
On the way to the hotel I noticed that things have changed a bit. They’ve changed the main road so that it goes further into the lagoon, so they will have an emergency area in case a plane doesn’t get stopped in time. Now at least the road doesn’t go through the airport, but around it. Before passengers had to cross the main road with their luggage! They’ve also have new buildings and businesses, plus some have closed down! A lot has happened here in the last year!
Patrick got us to the resort and dropped us off, and I went to check in. This was the easiest and nicest check-in I have experienced here. EVER! Don’t know whether it was the crutches or what…but it was a record! Delano was absolutely the nicest and he even said he would try to change our room to one closer to the amenities so I didn’t have to walk up and down the hill! (our building is up on top of the hill and farthest away from the lobby.) They have never done that! I’ve never been on crutches before either…
Unfortunately, since we were early our room was not ready, and wouldn’t be until after 4. But they did let Gerald and a porter take all suitcases up to the room while she finished. I stayed in the lobby and waited. That’s a first too!
Now, I will tell you there is a little jewelry stand in the lobby of the hotel. It has always been here, and I have made a couple small purchases there. Of course, they remember anyone who makes a purchase and that they have seen for 10 years running too! Well, Mickey spotted me and came right over! Not too long after Gerald came back and saw him talking to me. He came up and said to him… “Can’t leave her alone for a minute and you are all over her!” He was scared!
We had another hour or two to kill so we went to the resort’s restaurant/bar called Toppers By the Sea to get a drink and bite to eat since the last we ate was the cinnamon bun in Puerto Rico and I know Gerald was hungry…but so was I. We sat down and had a drink and ordered a burger to share and an order of the Mac-n-cheese…cause it’s good here too!
**Here are some of the pictures of the bay and some of the “little boats” that anchor here and go in and out of the lagoon.
We came up to the condo to try to get things settled, but I didn’t want to unpack too much since Delano said he might move us. So I sent Gerald to the store to get some important things like Malibu rum, vodka, you know…that kind of important stuff. We were picking up Bob and Judy at 8pm so we were going to order a pizza and salad from the little French restaurant down the road, but we would wait until we were on our way to pick them up first.
**Here are a few pictures of the inside of the condo
We unpacked the groceries then headed down the street to pick up our chairs and umbrella that Linda and Jack have stored for us for the last 4 years. Looks like the mice have gotten into two of the boxes, and they chewed a little on one of the chairs. They don’t stink though (luckily) but they really have rusted this year. One of them is really bad and the leg is about to fall off. Looks like we will have to toss that one and start looking for replacements! They’ve been a good investment for sure. We paid about $60 for each chair…a total of $240, and with the $25 umbrella I got from Sams Club, we have spent over the last 5 years about $275. If we would have rented chairs and umbrellas at the beach ($7 each, per day) we would have spent over $2,000. Laugh at us if you will as we haul our things to the beach…but it’s worth it to me. And I think I deserve a big honkin’ diamond for that! =) (…I’m not holding my breath for that one though!)
After we get the chairs back and up to the room, we headed to the airport to picked up the rest of the Fab-Four! (that’d be Bob and Judy). It was definitely a moon full tonight, and bright as could be. It shined over all the boats in the marina and I don’t think I’ve ever noticed them before! The clouds that would drift by were outlined in light from the moon and it looked magical. Too bad I left my camera in the condo! ARG!
We waited patiently until Bob and Judy came out of the arrival area! It was good to see them! It’s been odd being here and not be with them. Bob and Gerald took the bags and we walked to the car, loaded it up and back home we came. We stopped by the restaurant on our way to pick up the pizza. Got the suitcases up to the room, ate and visited a while. We still didn’t unpack much, since Delano might move us. We were all tired from the traveling today. My foot was killing me…and Judy’s hand was a little puffy and swollen too, so we headed to bed. Besides, we need to get some rest for beach walking!
Sunday, March 20, 2011:
Today…we are going to the beach (naturally). We have made plans to meet all our friends at our normal spot on the beach today. Tom & Linda (Linda Lou), Rob & Linda (Linda) (collectively “The Lindas”, or in some states “Trouble”), Clem & Pauline, Mark & Bonnie who will be here next week, and whomever else we might see!
We packed our bags and got ready to go. It was sort of a debacle…with Bob and Gerald (the “Boys”) being the only ones able to carry anything. Bob and Judy had ordered a dolly off the internet like Clem and Pauline had last year, so that would hopefully help out a lot this year. The chairs we have are sort of heavy – steel – nice, but heavy. And with my beach bag (which you know has everything in it), the 4 chairs, cooler and the umbrella. So we definitely needed the dolly! They all love watching us walk up the beach and seeing all the stuff we have brought! (yeah yeah…it’s my fault!) We arrive at the beach with all our gear and said hello to everyone.
**(Here is Gerald and Bob hauling our beach gear!)
**(Go ahead…feel sorry for them…they deserve it!)
Clem and Pauline were not here because they had to leave the island early. Ed and Rose had to leave the island early too! But everyone else got ready to watch the show of the Boys putting up the umbrella. They love watching that. It was windy today too, so the show promised to be a good one. And it was.
Our umbrella is an 8 ft. rainbow colored table umbrella that we shipped down several years ago. After the first year, we had to bring a bracket down to clamp to the center post because the wind is so strong it tends to break the umbrella at the joint where the top tilts. But, in order to get the bracket on, you have to get the umbrella open, quickly slide the clamp on up to the joint and attach the top to the base before the wind takes it (and you). But even before that, you have to get the lower part of the post into the ground to attach the top to. Normally you have to jab the pointed end in the sand and rock it back and forth while pushing it down, to get it driven into the wet hard sand so it will stay. Most important, you have to make sure you tilt the umbrella towards the wind so it won’t get under it and rip it out of the ground. (that is an absolute critical part – tilting towards the wind). This year Bob got a new gadget, an umbrella stand that screws into the ground. Mark and Bonnie had one last year. You screw this thing into the sand and then put the umbrella end in it. Sounds easy enough right? Well, yes, perhaps in normal situations (and for normal people) but there are a few important things you have to remember when you do this. The stand must be screwed into the harder wet sand … not the loose dry top, and it must also be tilted so that the umbrella is aimed toward the wind…not straight up and down. Otherwise, this will happen: after the Boys worked feverishly screwing the stand gadget into the sand, then futzing under the semi-opened umbrella trying to get the clamp up the pole and finally getting the umbrella opened and finally attached to the base, the umbrella came flying out of the ground. Then, while they were trying to get it back together and the base back into the ground, it went inside out, twice. Nearly took Gerald wind-surfing on the sand.
They decided to forgo the umbrella today…so Judy had to sit in the sun…but she covered herself up pretty good. Ah...beach life with the Boys!
The Boys were ready for a libation at that point so they sat down, made drinks and had a snack. We brought Malibu Rum for Judy and I, and I took a drink of mine and it tasted horrible! Judy and I were drinking Malibu Rum and Cranberry juice. Judy said hers tasted ok, and Gerald said it tasted ok, but I thought something was wrong. I got the bottle of rum out, smelled and tasted it and it was definitely the rum! Ew! It tasted bad! I must be me! I guess I’m used to the Cruzan rum! Funny! Before I couldn’t’ standing anything but Malibu Rum…now I don’t like Malibu! But now I don’t have anything to drink! =( So I sent Gerald to the bar for the 2pm 2 for 1 happy hour. He got a BBC. It didn’t taste good either! BUMMERS! Having no taste for alcohol could be catastrophic! I’ll have to find something else!
We met some new people that were sitting with the Linda’s, Rob and Tom. They are Karen and Bruce from New Jersey. There was also this French couple who started conversing with us. They are apparently living on the island now. They said they came for vacation three years ago and never left. They sent their children back home for their education though – they’re 17 & 19. The wife (Sylvie) couldn’t speak any English. Her husband (Scott?) could speak a little. The Boys were trying to help Sylvie, but they were only making it worse. Sylvie was quite intoxicated and got a little caught up in our fun. She caused a little bit of a scene, but luckily we all survived and weren’t kicked off the beach! (ah the inhibitions of the French!) Shortly after, Gerald started talking to another couple on the beach. It was then that we decided we may have to have to screen all couples for admittance – and that the Boys were no longer allowed to talk to strangers!
Our first day at the beach finished so quickly and it was time to leave. We all decided we would go home, eat dinner and meet at LaBamba later tonight. They are having music tonight and Linda Lou promised it was a good time. We came home, cleaned up and got ready for dinner. Bob had suggested Pineapple Pete’s for dinner. So that’s where we went.
Pineapple Pete’s is on the main road not far from the condo. It’s famous on the island for good food and entertainment. We have always enjoyed eating there, and they sell Holton burgers…so we know they are good. We arrived early and got a good table just before the crowd came! We are always doing that! (but then again…we are eating at old people times!) We ordered our dinner and ate. Judy and I split an entree of chicken parmesan, Gerald had the same and Bob ordered a fish burger. Bob’s fish burger had spinach…so he didn’t like it, but the rest of us enjoyed ours.
After dinner we headed down the road to meet the gang at La Bamba. The band was good for sure. It was Craig with a live band. We listened to him last year. I used to rent my island phone from him. (didn’t do it this year since I have my AT&T) He also rents coolers, beach chairs and umbrellas for cheaper than what you can rent on the beach ($7 each per day). But the music was good, and we had lots of FUN! I couldn’t get up and dance, but I did a lot of chair dancing! Gerald was appointed Linda Lou’s official shorts-holder-upper! Her shorts were too big and kept falling down while she was dancing. So, since Gerald couldn’t dance with me, and didn’t have anything else to do…she gave him the job! Hysterical! (she’s working on me getting a 4ct ring this year! =)
The only bad thing about this place was that you had to pay to use the restroom! PAY! So I only had the 1 drink because I refused to pay to use the restroom - especially if I am paying for drinks! Then when we left, there was a sign that it was out of order anyway! !!! We blamed it on Karen for flushing toilet paper! =)
All in all, it was a great first day. It was past 10:30 when we left La Bamba (way past my bedtime), and we came back to the condo…and went to bed! Zzzzzzzz
Monday, March 21, 2011:
What to do today? BEACH! (what else did you expect?) But first – everyone must have breakfast you know! After breakfast, Judy and I sent the Boys to the hardware store to look at replacement chairs and then stop by the grocery store to pick up some mustard and mayonnaise for our sandwiches (I didn’t put it on the list when Gerald went to the grocery store Saturday…so we didn’t have any to make lunches Sunday!)
While the boys are gone, Judy and I pack our beach bags and get ready for the beach. They were gone for a while – and Judy and I were wondering what the deal was. Neither took their phones…so we couldn’t call to find out what their deal was – they were only looking at the hardware store and buying sandwich spread! When they finally got back…we found out that Gerald had found a rogue barber shop near the hardware store and stopped to get his hair cut! I know Gerald has an elaborate hair style, so you wouldn’t think it would take that long…but it did. He did do a good trim job and detail work though. I keep looking to see if there is a lightning bolt cut into it somewhere! =)
Off to the beach…to do beach things. The Boys got the umbrella up for Judy without much trouble this time. Practice (and nagging) makes perfect! Everyone was pretty calm on the beach today. Too much fun from last night had us all mellow! Which means Linda Lou is storing up her energy! She is the entertainment of the bunch! And when she teams up with the other Linda, it is a force to be reckoned with! Last year the Lindas went scavenging on the beach for stuff and put them in Bob’s beach bag! They even found a pair of ladies shoes! They said they were looking for stuff this year, but it’s been pretty clean! Luckily!
4pm, and time once again to gather our things to leave the beach. On the way back, we stopped at the other Ace Hardware to checkout the chairs they had there. We didn’t find anything we liked or that would work.
**We found a new chair for Gerald!
We come back to the condo to clean up and decided to have dinner at Bella Napoli. Bella Napoli is located next to the Atlantis Casino. There are lots of good restaurants attached to the casino, but most are pretty expensive. Bella Napoli is probably the most reasonable – besides the sandwich shop – and it’s really good. I usually have gnocchi there, but they changed the menu this year and they don’t have it anymore. So, Judy and I had chicken in lemon butter sauce with mushrooms, which was a good alternative! (Judy and I generally always split meals because it’s too much food for 1 person) Of course, after dinner we had to go into the casino and drop a few bucks…literally. We never win at the Atlantis Casino! So $20 in the penny slot…and we were OUTA THERE!
Back to the condo and into bed…I can hardly keep my eyes open! It’s been another late night! Plus I’ve got to find a time to get this blog caught up! I suppose I could take the computer to the beach…or even forego a day at the beach…but I’m not gonna, right now anyway! =)
Tuesday, March 22, 2011:
BREAKFAST! (of course) Bob made fluffy pancakes! Gerald made bacon. Fortified meal to start the day huh?
The mosquitoes are already eating me up…so I hung about 35 Bounce fabric softener sheets on the table and chairs outside. We’ll see how they work! Hopefully the cleaning lady won’t throw them away…not that they would do any extra work.
Our goal for today? Beach. What else? Although, we (meaning Judy and I) are try to figure out which day would be best to hit Front Street in Phillipsburg (meaning shopping!).
We sent the Boys to the hardware store to purchase the new chairs they picked out for themselves. They don’t want recliner chairs…just a regular chair with those horrible plastic stretchy bands on them. (I hate those things…they sink too much under my weight and leave nasty marks on my backside…like I need the help!) Gerald says he doesn’t lay down much any way! I nearly hit the floor laughing! He generally naps every day on the beach! Guess he won’t anymore!
Along with getting their new chairs, the Boys also had the task of scouting out beauty salons on the way. I’m out of shampoo and I refuse to use the Head & Shoulders that Gerald has. (I don’t know why…he doesn’t need it!) Since I got my hair straightened, I’m supposed to use a special shampoo, but I haven’t found it yet…so I’ll just have to get a regular shampoo, but a good one from a salon. So I told them to be on the lookout for beauty salons that we can stop at. They came back and said that they found 3. I’m a little skeptical – and if you have read and seen where Gerald is getting his hair cut…you would be too. But, we headed out and stopped at the first beauty salon. It was next to the Simpson Bay Yacht Club, so I figured I’d be safe in finding a good product for my hair in there. I went in and there was a French woman at the counter, so I was trying to ask her if she had special shampoo for straightened hair. They said they did straightening…so I assumed they had the special shampoo, but they didn’t. They only had Aveeda products…which is ok because I know they are good products…so I guess I will get that…and let my curls return. Oh well…the straightening has lasted a pretty good while and done very well in this humidity! I got it straightened in October and I didn’t expect it to last this long … but you have to use the special shampoo to help keep it straight. I don’t think it will last now, but summer is coming here…and I will probably have it rolled it up on my head anyway.
After I got my shampoo, we headed to the beach to meet the gang. We laughed and talked and Gerald brought his guitar and got it out and played a while. Everyone sang along and enjoyed it – even a few passers-by stopped to dance and sing.
Linda Lou has been scheming…and we are planning a pot-luck dinner next week after Bonnie and Mark get here. Gerald is going to play then…PARTY!!! Other than that…it was pretty calm on the beach. No incidents to report…only sun burned skin and sand blown in places you wouldn’t think it could get! (that’s the bad thing about the beach…sand gets everywhere in your bags!)
4pm and time to leave the beach. Everybody packs up and heads back to their place. When we got back to the condo, I got a message from the jewelry store in the lobby that I was randomly picked this week as the winner of the raffle and have won a gift and to hurry down to collect it! HOW EXCITING! =) They do that every year…tell you that you are the “winner” just to get you down there and hope you buy something. Like the old Vic Tanny ploy where we used to put those sign-up boxes in businesses and it says you could “win” a free week membership…and we called each and every one who put their name in the box! Oh well! I’ll go down and get my free pearl earrings anyway sometime this week.
When we get home, we usually take the beach bag and stuff out on the deck and shake the extra sand off. The mosquitoes usually don’t waste a second and they are all over me, but tonight…I haven’t seen one. Judy either! Those Bounce sheets work I think!
We are planning on going to the Bavaria Haus tonight. This is a little German restaurant not too far from the condo, pretty much at the corner of Billy Folly Road and the main road. Within walking distance really (if you had 2 good legs!) We discovered it the second year we came to St. Maarten and we really look forward to eating there every year (usually twice)! It is so good! We always get schnitzel, and Judy and I usually split our meal because the schnitzel is so huge! It comes with a salad and fried potatoes. Of course we get an order of sauerkraut to share and this year we got the mushroom gravy too! OMG! It was so good – you just have to chew slow and savor every bite. Yum! I can’t wait until the next time we go!
Finished with no leftovers we head back home full belly and content, ready to go to bed.
I haven’t been taking many pictures – being selfish and taking time to relax. The sand is a little taxing on my ankle since I’m using the brace and not the boot (so it won’t get yucky), and I may take a day off tomorrow from the beach because it’s a little swollen and sore. I even put a little ice on it tonight. Unfortunately the ice bag had a hole and the water leaked all over the pillow. Another day in paradise!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011:
Today I think I will definitely stay here at the condo. I’ve got 4 days of blogs to catch up on and my ankle is not feeling too good, plus it’s swollen still. We are meeting the gang tonight at 6:30p at the Peg Leg Pub to celebrate Linda and Tom’s 20th anniversary … so I really want to rest it up for the frivolities. Linda Lou has also promised to show us how to get $20 worth of play money from the casino too – I’m looking forward to that! We wouldn’t have much time on the beach anyway because we would have to leave early so we could all get ready in time and it takes me so long to hobble anywhere and even longer on the sand, so I think I will just stay here. That way I can try to finish my blog, and get ready (it takes me the longest anyway) by the time they get back. Hopefully. =)
I’ll just sit on the deck watching the boats come in and out of the bay and lagoon. I watch the joggers go up and down the hill in front of the condo. (they love this hill to run back and forth on!). Some of them have really squeaky shoes that I can hear from up here! I got some WD-40 that I’m going to spray on one guys shoes! Of course, by the time I would get to him he will be to China already! Actually, there is a lot of noise on this hill during the day! I’ve never notice it before, I guess because we are usually at the beach. Wow. Here I go complaining about noise again! What in the world is wrong with me? I know I’ve made enough noise in my life time. Probably so much that it drowned out the surrounding noise and I didn’t notice it. (no comments please) I guess because now that I’m not the one making the noise, I don’t want to hear it either! WTH? Ok. It’s official. I’m old and cranky. Gawd help you all! (notice I said you…not me! =)
Sitting here updating my blog I hear a strange sound. It actually sounds like I’m in an old WWI or WWII movie. What tha? Old Airplanes? Are the Japanese invading or something? Because that’s what it sounds like. Scenes from Tora Tora Tora or Pearl Harbor! All together 5 planes buzz over the condo! One after the other, flying really low. And they look old too! But I didn’t see any big red dots painted on the side. Then I read in the paper that there is a Vintage WWII plane show in St. Barths starting today. (wrong war) Phew…that makes me feel better!
I do some laundry in between writing, and finally get ready for tonight. Bob, Judy and Gerald come back to the condo and get ready too. There is plenty of time so everyone relaxes a bit. We head over to Peg Leg to meet the rest of the beach gang for diner. All the girls are wearing white…except for poor Karen…she didn’t get the e-mail!
**from left to right: Karen, Bruce, Tom, Linda Lou, Linda, Rob, Bob & Judy
We eat drink and are merry! The steaks were awesome as usual. The entertainment is Craig again, with another guy and they sing karaoke style. They are really good! The place gets pretty crowded and there isn’t much of a dance floor so Linda Lou takes it upon herself to make one and starts moving tables! She is a hoot and were it not for her – it would be downright boring!
We finish our dinner, get the check and head inside the casino to get our free $10 play money.
In order to get the play money, you have to get a card. No one was at the desk…so Linda Lou got on a mission and got someone there to take care of us pretty quickly! It was a Russian guy and I wasn’t about to make him angry! Everyone played their money and I sat at a 2 cent machine. Spent the $10 quickly because I was playing it wrong, betting credits and not realizing that each credit was worth 2 cents…so I was actually betting twice what I thought! So I went to another penny machine and put a $20 in and walked away with $50! YES! Definitely time to cash out!
We met some other people there that we knew and talked for a while. Linda Lou was on a machine and nothing was going to get her off of it…except for the casino shutting down! We said our goodbyes to everyone and then came back to the condo!
Once again, a late night. Midnight and WAY past my old people bedtime! So it didn’t take me long to fall asleep! Tomorrow we will see how many cruise ships are in and maybe do some shopping.
Thursday, March 24, 2011:
I think we will forgo the beach again today. Gerald got a little too much sun yesterday and Judy needs a break from the sun too. Plus it is really really windy today, which means sand-blasting on the beach…and I don’t like that! Our plan then is to get some groceries, go see Monica (our Front Street jewelry connection!) and then go see Janet at Pasanggrahan (the old Royal residence that is now a hotel) and have dinner and drinks there.
We leave the condo and drive up the road to Endless Summer. It’s a swimsuit place, but that’s where Judy and I got our OneSole shoes several years ago. Judy needs another pair and I want to get more tops for mine. I really could use another left shoe since I’ve only been wearing the left one for the last two months…but you can only buy them in pairs! They didn’t have much of a selection for tops, but I did find one pair, then Judy got her shoes. We then headed to Philipsburg for the big time shopping!
We first went to Rima’s to check out the swimsuit covers, get some suntan lotion for Gerald and a few other items (that I just had to have!). This is the place to go to get all the tourist stuff: towels, shirts, wraps, bags, souvenirs, “island” jewelry (probably made in China). All the vendors come here and buy their goods and stuff and then go sell them on the beaches!
After that the Boys drove Judy and I around the block and dropped us off at the fence. Since there are 4 ships in dock today, they will close off a good part of Front Street so there is plenty of room for the pedestrians to walk around freely without being run over by taxi’s or other cars. The sidewalks are sometimes pretty narrow, or non-existent! There are tons of stores that sell liquor, clothing, suitcases, tobacco, perfumes, purses and of course jewelry!
We stop at the odd store and find the back-pack beach bags like Linda had and I got one each for Gerald and I. Hopefully that will be easier to carry stuff to the beach than the shoulder one I have. They were only $3. Then we hurry down the street to our most favorite store of all…Gold and Jewels! This is where Judy and I have our “Private” jeweler – Monica!! =) Ok…she really isn’t our private jeweler, but we have come to her for many years now and absolutely trust her. She is a friend more than a merchant to us now. She knows what we like and helps us to pick out things that are either a better bargain, or look better on us. She has done things for us that no one in the States would do, and WAY reasonable to boot. We love her! So if you ever get down this way and stop in St. Maarten, be sure to go down Front Street to Gold and Jewels. It’s a little past the McDonalds on the left! And tell them Tina and Judy sent you!
We got down to Gold and Jewels and said our hello to Monica, as well as the other ladies (who recognized us as well). Judy and I roamed the store for anything that would catch our eyes. We have made so many purchases over the years, we don’t really need anything, and we are very happy with what we have, but we always look because you never know when something might just call out your name! (and it’s usually mine!) Judy had a few things in mind that she wanted to look for, and I had a couple of small items I wanted to pick up as well. We both ended up purchasing several pieces of costume jewelry and I bought a 20” gold chain. Judy had some jewelry to be re-dipped in rhodium and Bob’s necklace had got broken the night before, so they are going to repair it too. We made a quick day of it as the Boys were waiting for us down the street and Monica was very busy, so we made plans to have lunch next week. That will give us time to decide if there is anything else we want or if we want to go ahead and take the plunge on something we picked out today! …so if the Boys act up between now and then…there will be purchases! =)
We headed back up Front Street and met the Boys at the old dock. We walked further up Front Street toward Pasanggrahan Hotel to meet Janet. It was already 4:30 and Judy was worried that the other Endless Summer would close before she got the other tops for her shoes, so she hurried before me and we met up further down the road. We then went in Lipstick to pick up some cologne for Bob, and some Chanel perfume and makeup. They had a great sale going on and we got some makeup brushes for 40% off that will compliment the ones I have and some moisturizer too. They didn’t have some of what Judy wanted, so they are going to have it in next week when we come back!
I didn’t take pictures of Front Street…forgetting to get my camera out. Plus it’s a little awkward to take pictures while walking with crutches! I’ll make sure to get some for you later!
Our purchases made, we headed over to the Pasanggrahan to see Janet! A little background on Pasanggrahan – this is the old royal residence of Queen Beatrice. They have turned it now into an intimate hotel. They have a restaurant and bar there, which is where we met Janet. She has worked there for 20+ years. She is a native Dutch islander born and raised here. Our friendship with her began early on as well, while the Boys used to come down and wait for us, they would sit at the bar and talk with Janet waiting for us. We would walk down Front Street, do our shopping and end at Pasanggrahan, having a drink or two and dinner. Janet is a wonderful lady and we have lots of fun with her. She works very hard and is an integral part of the place. We wouldn’t go there if it weren’t for her. So…again, if you go to St. Maarten and are down in Philipsburg…go to the Pasanggrahan on the north end of the boardwalk and sit down at the bar and have a drink. Ask for Janet and tell her that you heard about them from us and tell her we said hello!
We ordered our drinks (2-4-1) visited briefly with Janet (she was busy working!) and made plans to have dinner there next week to see her again. We told her that Gerald and I are staying for a while and we would see her pretty often for the next month or so for happy hour! After we finished our drinks, and none too soon, drinking on an empty stomach is not good when you are shopping, but luckily the stores were closed already!
Headed home we stopped and got my computer so I could finally post the blog and drop off our goodies from the days shopping. We headed to Toppers (the one on the main drag) and ate dinner. Judy and I shared the shrimp scampi, a salad and mac-n-cheese and the boys had meatloaf. It was go good! I would highly recommend this place! Actually, there are two Toppers – one is in our resort (Toppers by the Sea) and the other is the original which is on the main road. Either one has GREAT food! The one here at Flamingo has lots of entertainment too, as does the original one.
Full bellies…we head back to the condo. We dropped off Bob and Judy and Gerald and I headed down to the lobby to get on the internet so I could finish and post the blog! It’s hard to believe it is Thursday already! I’ll try to get the blogs posted again soon! I don’t know if the e-mail notification is working or not…but I’ll keep working on it if not!
Love to all! And thanks for your patience!
…so here is an interesting note…I went to the internet to post my blog tonight and the stupid instructions are in Dutch! DUTCH! WTF? I don’t speak Dutch! Why is it Dutch? I didn’t change my language! And Gerald hasn’t been messing with my computer (as far as I know). So now I have to figure out how to get the darned thing to read in English! ….whatever….I'm just going to start hitting buttns and see what happens!
Wish me luck! Or you may have to have an interpreter to read the blog!
Ok..I accidently hit the right button and got on to the blog…but I can’t upload pictures. I’m considering moving to a foreign country…why? I don’t know. I’ll try to work on this issue and get the pictures posted as soon as I can! In the meantime…just use your imagination on the descriptions!
Ok…NOW the entire internet is down here. I can’t take this anymore! No internet…no phone. I asked if internet was down in the lobby and the guy said maybe someone one was using a cell phone… A cell phone? That would interrupt the wireless internet? Only one person at a time on the internet? This area has seriously got to get it together and catch up with the 19th century! I give up. I’m going home and will try to post this tomorrow….i’m pooped, tired, getting grouchy cause I can’t get on the internet and haven’t in several days…and I’m having withdrawal. I’m going to bed!
