Wondering if there's anywhere where I can pick up fresh croissants and pain raisin for breakfast while the sleepyheads in my party are still snoring. Would I have to drive up to Maginot to find this?

No,you won't have to drive over to Marigot. If you are up early before the morning rush hour traffic you can get to Simpson Bay in 5-7 minutes no problem. There are several boulangeries in the area.

However, with your interest in fresh baked goodies, wine, cheese, etc., you may enjoy a morning in Marigot once in awhile for your fresh baguettes, croissants, etc just to experience more of the French ambiance.

peace

Thanks, Andrea. It looks like my villa is at the eastern end of Burgeaux Bay. Can I walk to Simpson Bay? How long might that take?

You can walk on the beach of simpson Bay from Beacon hill. You have a set of steps going down on Simpson Beach on the western cliff of Beacon Hill, and it will take you about 15 nice minutes of walk on one of the most beautifull island beach. Then you cut through toward a small street between the two first Big building, follow the road and you arrive just next to the building of the windward Island Bank and the Cafe Atlantico Bakery. 20 minuts for all to that point.

Kind Regards,
Philippe



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Now that sounds like a wonderful morning walk for some delicious fresh baked goodies. The sleepyheads will certainly appreciate the effort as long as the pastries are not eaten en route back to the house.

Also, if you have Google Earth installed on your computer, I may be able to forward you the aerial photo of SXM that you will be staying. It's a very detailed image of the area, beach, and the walkway that Philippe recommended.

The only thing is that I'm likely to take my camera on the walk and that 40 minutes might turn into 2 hours! Oh, well, I'll risk it.

John, I do have Google Earth. That would be great. Thank you! (Maybe I might be able to spot my villa!)

Phillipe, merci beaucoup pour l'information.

My French is very rusty but I'm practicing. This trip is going to bring back memories of camping trips in France, with a subtle difference.

2 choices...
If you e-mail me your e-mail address to:

reikiofmaywood@verizon.net I'll e-mail you directly from Google Earth... or else try this:

18°02'12.54"N
63°07'00.95"W

Good luck!

Quote

The only thing is that I'm likely to take my camera on the walk and that 40 minutes might turn into 2 hours

I once went walking to get some bread and after many refreshments returned empty handed about 4 hours later. And this was before happy hour started.

LMAO!!!

I think I'm going to have a good time.

Hey!

Possibly you will be seduced into stopping at Sunset Beach Bar on your jaunts. Free wi-fi and other diversions. ON the opposite end of the beach is the "Boat Bar or $2.00 bar as it is sometimes called. Stop there for great plane shooting as well.

The majority of "over the beach" plane shots on the approach to runway 09 are snapped from SSBB.

Five years later, and a lot of trips, I find it hard to pull back from the photo ops and get on with the day. Renting 2 cars has helped on at least one trip but that gets pricey.

Yes, you will enjoy the Beacon Hill location. BTW, a small Chinese Restaurant in the CARAVANSERAI complex near SSBB and BLISS has the best Won Ton soup we have tried on Island and their beer is $2.00 ice cold. Food is inexpensive.

You have chosen an ideal launchi site for Dutch side adventures!

BIGDEN

Philippe is right, you CAN walk to Simpson Bay by cutting through the Beacon Hill area and taking the steps down to Simpson Bay beach. However, two things you may want to consider. There was some construction in that area of the steps in Beacon Hill and I am not quite sure you could still access them. Secondly, there are quite a few dogs at the beginning of Simpson Bay beach that could cause you some concern being a "stranger" walking along the beach. I have walked in that area before with my sister and she was a bit frightened by the dogs. It also is a bit of a walk to Simpson Bay..... bring water!

Ok, so now you need a camera, water, a stick to keep the dogs away.... You might want to pack a backpack!

FYI - Maho and Food Express is not more than a quick 10 minute walk down the roadside.

peace