B, My memories don't go quite that far back but I do remember when everything but the restaurants on Front St. shut down for siesta and it wasn't at all unusual to see the ladies shopping with the big baskets on their heads and in Marigot I remember the old, old marketplace that was truly an island market place where it wasn't at all out of the norm to see the ladies buy their c
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Ah, B, Forgive me, Girl - I know not what I'm saying. And I've got excuses - Underneath this dye job I really was a natural blonde. Once upon a time, that is. And beyond that, I'm getting older by the day - I mean, geez, Louise, I just aged a whole year over-night. But truth is, that little typo was worth it because I love the green bear which should not be confused wi
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Thank you all for your kind words and good thoughts. It's been a really nice day in every way and I hope you're all able to have as much pleasure as I am in celebrating the day however you choose - be it with green bear, corned beef and cabbage or an Irish coffee or three. Enjoy and thank you. Respectfully, pat
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Philippe, Hope your day was a good one and hoping, too, you didn't sleep through it!! But if you did, good for you - it's your day to use anyway you would but personally speaking, I think B had the right idea. Happy, happy. pat
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Dan, Thanks for the invite but much as I love SXM and hate the snowy NE, no way would I subject myself to the travel challenges that time of year might create. And besides, we're March-April and Nov-Dec. travelers but Norm and Betty's parties are a legend we'd love to enjoy at least once... Respectfully, pat
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Susan and Bruce, Thank you for sharing a great trip write up with us. I sometimes think it's only these trip reports that make the wait between trips bearable. We'll be spending a few nights on Shoal Bay this year, too - what a great place to do some serious islin' limin'....... IMO. so much different than St. Maarten/St. Martin. Not better or worse - just different b
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No laughing here.....I get it. But I have to tell you, judging only by the pictures, you missed a heck of a party and the food..........OMGoodness. It looked delicious. I know people come to Norm's party because it's Norm and Betty and they do have a great reputation as party throwing people, but after seeing the appetizers offered - well, why do I think their attendance will dou
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Mathieu, To the very best of my knowledge there is NO free parking at the airport. Depending on where you're staying on the island it may even be less expensive to take a taxi than to park there. I can't recall if we paid any departure fee to go to Saba but I'm thinking not. Perhaps something about going from one Dutch island to another? But it was a few years ago now so an
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Potential, Same thing happened to DH - BC came out of no where and we were about to cancel our trip. As luck would have it, we met a young student doctor interning in our local hospital who had studied at the Medical University on St. Maarten and actually knew of our doctor and clinic and that the INR tests could be done there. As long as your doctor has said travel is okay, and you rememb
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Thank you, Elaine. I remember well the added stress worrying about all this created for us prior to getting there and actually seeing and using this clinic. I'm relatively certain your satisfaction as a resident who actually uses this practice will make the OP feel far better than my visitor status opinion. Respectfully, pat
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Potential, I have it on very good authorty from a very island knowledgeable friend who tells me my directions are right on the money and it's now called the Maho Clinic. I'm sure you'll be fine there and pleased with their services. Respectfully, pat
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Potential, I don't know where you're coming from, but assuming you were coming from the airport area to Maho, you would go past the rotary at Maho with the grocery and LaTerrasse on your right, past the Casino Royale, past Cheri's Cafe and all the little shops on the same side of the road, and on the very end of that strip is where the Pharmacy is located. The clinic is suppose
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Potential, A few years ago we were faced with the same problem - DH had been recently diagnosed with a blood clot and was in need of regular INR testing to check his levels. We utilized the walk in clinic in Maho Bay, although it was still located in one of the old Mullet Bay Resort buildings back them. We went prepared with a scrip from his Dr. here at home along with phone numbers shou
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Bruce, As late as November/December 2010 we used our Amex card on SXM for our car rental, and while you're correct that almost no cards, at least none that I'm aware of, cover liability on the island, we do have full first dollar liability coverage with our Amex. I'm sure there must be different levels of coverage that go with different cards and beyond that, special coverages
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Hey, Dennis, Isn't it sad? We watched the same thing both last year and the year before at Mullet Bay Beach but in this case it was a combined effort of cruise ship guests off a tour bus and one of the much talked about party boats that pulled in. They had a great time (and I know this because the party boat dropped their cooler in the sand at the foot of my chaise lounge so that I
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Heather, Just a suggestion but you might want to post this last question as a topic all by itself. There are many here, Philippe immediately comes to mind, who know this side of the island well but who might miss your question buried in this particular thread. I would suggest those 'off the beaten track' places, while lovely and well worth finding, should probably be discovered a
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Heather, I know LeGrandeMarche closes mid-day on Sundays and sadly, can't help with times regarding the others but I do know for a fact that the Lido store across the roundabout from Sonesta Maho/Royal Islander LePlage and right next door to Royal Islander LaTerrasse is open till midnight or thereabouts every day, even on Sundays. If you're planning on shopping on your way to wher
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To all my St. Maarten and Go Beach friends, I wish you all the Merriest of Christmases and the happiest and even more important - the healthiest of New Years to follow. And Barbara, I think every last one of us probably wishes we were there, too. Merry Christmas, pat
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Heather, As Barbara indicated, we were more than pleased with this service. The prices are much higher than Le Grand Marche on some things and moderately higher on others but you're paying for their labor and time and in situations such as yours where you're not arriving until late, it's really a very beneficial service. How nice it was to arrive and find the fridge stocke
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Wishing you all the happiest of Thanksgiving wherever you're fortunate enough to be celebrating it - be that at home with family and friends and sharing a traditional turkey dinner or those fortunate enough to have chosen a non-traditional lobster thermidor at Antoines or wherever on the island you may choose to be. Enjoy, wherever and whatever. Respectfully, pat
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Agree completely. Sharon - Queen of St. Maarten really does offer an awesome service/system for an almost unbelievably reasonable price. Respectfully, pat
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Dallas..... We haven't been over to St B in a few years but if you're flying, take the early morning flight and you'll have plenty of time to rent a car at the airport and see a few of the beaches while navigating the whole island and still manage to squeeze in some shopping and time for a leisurely lunch. St. Barts really needs to be seen at least once if you're able to
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Perfect!! Everything a great vacation should be without any of the dubious'extra events' so many talk about and most of us worry about. Glad you had a good trip. Respectfully, pat
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B, Great pictures - it looks like the b'day party was a fun one and you and Dee both looked terrific. Are you staying at the Spice Island Inn or did you just party there last night? We stayed there for our 30th wedding anniversary - had one of those private pool suites and it was like we'd died and gone to heaven. The flowers were so lush and beautiful and the birds just l
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And while it's been quite a few years now since we've been there, Grenada is truly a magical place and I'm sure they're loving every minute of their trip. So much to see and do and those two sure do know how to sieze the moments!! Respectfully, pat
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............and a very special one, at that. Now I'm not giving out names or giving away any vital statistics because I don't want to get myself into trouble, but he's a very nice guy and a great gardener and he's extremely close to a very prominent member, poster, moderator here. I hope he has a wonderful time in Grenada along with anyone who might happen to be travelli
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Kathy, Since our earliest trips back in the 70's right up through the present we have always used TCs for the bulk of our vacation expenses and we've never had an issue with them. We back that up with limited amounts of cash and credit cards but TCs are our primary source of funds on the island. That said, we always bring hundred dollar denomination checks and use them in places
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Philippe, Like so many others who have posted, we never had the pleasure of meeting the Captain, but through your stories over the years he's become 'known' to so many of us. I'm sure he would have loved your tribute and I know it will bring great comfort to the rest of his family. It's always difficult to let go of those we love - may God give you all comfort
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Jan, Personally speaking, and unless you really can't come up with at least two drivers in your group of eight, I would absolutely agree with GaKaye on this one. Beyond the fact that your group may not ALWAYS want to do the exact same thing at the exact same time, there is definitely something to be said for the ease of parking those little slowrollers over the big van, be it at the di
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Barbara, I've said it before and I'll say it again......these photos are a good reminder of what people can survive and surmount when they are of a will and a mind to. We had planned a trip for a month or so after Luis but were advised the hotel we were booked in, Mullet Bay Resort, had been basically destroyed by the havoc of the storm. In April '96, we returned to The T
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