Flip Flops & Time Off – Adventures in Travel & Every Day Life

Our first full day on the island… can not wait to hit the beach!  First things first – coffee (for Marcus).  Many trips to the Caribbean and we’ve learned to bring some things down with us.  Over the years we’ve gone from packing half a suit case of food – to just the necessities.  Why pay $10 for a can of Folgers when you can buy it at home for $2.99 and toss it in your bag?  While Marcus settled in to his morning routine, I filtered through the welcome packet from the resort and planned our trip to the grocery.  Thanks to the free WiFi and Google Earth, Marcus scouted out the shortest route to Le Grand Marche and we headed out for our second driving adventure on St. Maarten – the 4.5 mile trip to the grocery.

We intentionally rented a small car so we could buzz in and out of traffic and find parking with ease.  In our little Toyota we still looked like tourists – but years of island driving means Marcus can drive like a local.  (If you’ve ever been in a taxi on an island – you realize that is a terrifying statement.)  Apparently there is only one traffic light on the island – and we have yet to see it.  There are however, many, many roundabouts – including a roundabout directly in front of the entrance to Le Grande Marche – we came through the round about and completely missed the one and only entrance to the grocery store.  Quick little detour down a couple of alley’s and we were back out to the main street.

Le Grande Marche is a huge grocery store with fresh produce, meats and seafood.  We found many of the same brands we buy back home – with most things costing the same, even less.  For example, Yoplait yogurt was $0.99.  Everything was marked in both US $ and Guilders.  (Current exchange rate $1 US = 1.8 Guilders.)  We spent $100 on food and beverages for the week – breakfast, lunch, snacks, bottled water, etc.

Back to the resort in under 10 minutes (though I’m 99% sure we drove the wrong way down a one way street.  Marcus disagrees… guess who was driving.)

We did the dreaded time share update this afternoon.  We haven’t done one for a couple of years – but we were tempted with the gift – it’s been years since we did a Sunset Sail, and the chance to do it for $40 won out…it turned out to be quick and painless.  A quick stop to reserve our spot for next week, and back to the room for some food.  Marcus whipped up some Brunch – Bacon, Eggs, Toast & Juice.

Full belly syndrome was setting in and we both wanted a nap…fought that urge, ready to hit the beach.  Well, one of us was ready to hit the beach.  (One guess who hit the beach vs. stayed in the room and took a 2 hour nap…)

A few hours on the beach – soaking up the sun, a refreshing dip in the Caribbean and the start of a new book.  Vacation is officially under way.  On my way back to the room I made a quick pit stop at the Spa and booked a couple’s massage for Friday morning.  What’s a vacation without a massage?  Our resort hosted a cocktail party and Caribbean BBQ this evening.  Did you say free drinks?  What was that about rum tasting?  Nothing packs a patio like free booze and live music.

First stop was the cocktail party.  Had my first taste of a Guavaberry Colada.  Guavaberry is the national rum/liquor of St. Maarten made locally.  We’re told it’s “legendary” – I like rum.  Scratch that, I love rum.  All flavors of rum.  This may very well be my new favorite rum.  I will be making a special trip to the Guavaberry Emporium in Phillipsburg before we leave.  Who would’ve thought Almond flavored rum would be good?!  Passion Fruit – yum!  Mango – always excellent!  Marcus had the obligatory Carib.  As the cocktail party wrapped up we headed down to the location of the BBQ.

Side note:  On our very first trip to the Caribbean (St. Thomas, roughly 8 years ago…) we went to a “Champaign Brunch” that was hosted by our resort.  Not a single price was posted.  Sticker shock doesn’t even begin to describe our surprise when we were brought our bill…$74.95 per person… for brunch.  To say we’ve been gun shy of resort sponsored events ever since is putting it lightly.

Anyway…BBQ…this trip.  No prices posted anywhere (cue flashbacks!) – I’m hesitating, but Marcus is sold.  The food smelled so, so yummy.  Marcus requested a table close to the water and we were promptly seated on the patio between the beach and the pool.  It was perfect.  As for food – anything you could possibly want was available.  Steak, Chicken, Ribs, Crab Legs, Clams, Shrimp, Rice & Beans, Plantains, Baked Potato, Potato Salad, Baked Mac & Cheese, Salad, Rolls… and OMG the deserts!!  Cakes, Cookies, Cheesecake, Brownies…  We were determined to eat our monies worth – still unsure of what that meant.  (Because who would actually ask what an all you can eat Caribbean BBQ costs before being seated?!)

When the check showed up, quite literally, slowly, very slowly we opened the check, nervous laughter from both of us.  Shocked actually!  $38.00 per person – well worth every single penny.

Very full, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll back to the room.  Night cap all around – sitting on the patio watching the lights from the cruise ships fade into the horizon.