The Insiders' Guide to St. Barths: Cap Juluca 11/21-11-29

Arrived in SXM on 11/21 around 1:00 and were met by Cap Juluca's Executive Service.
Whisked thru immigration, and off to the dock where "No Fear" was waiting. After a few minutes our luggage arrived and we were off to Cap Juluca for our 5th visit. What a wonderful way to arrive, although we did stop at Blowing Point and they had to remove the large luggage for inspection. Immigration just looked at the bags and asked us where we were staying. Off we went to Cap. Checked into our room and off to Georges for lunch. Back to the room to unpack and relax. Dinner that evening at Altimer, just fabulous. I had French Onion soup and Filet mignon f, my daughter had coconut shrimp which she was not crazy about. My husband had gee, I can't remember! Service is impeccable and the place is beautiful.
Saturday 11/22 - Spent a relaxing day on the beach, had a great lunch at Georges. Saturday night, reservation at Pimms which I had the concierge make a week before we arrived requesting a table near the water.
We arrived and were greeted by Wilma and escorted to a table next to the lobster tank with mops and pails and the sound of running water (like a dishwasher)behind a trellis visable from the table. We asked Wilma to move us to the empty table across the room which was by the water and she told us it was taken. Half the restaurant was empty and she told us she could not move us. We got up and said, we'll come back another night. She quickly ran over to the podium and said which night would you like to come back. We told her we'll call you. I guess she is looking for a tip in order to get a good table. Needles to say we did not go back. After we left Pimms we headed back to Altimer, greeted warmly and given a great table.
Another wonderful meal, I had lamb chops which were fab and my husband and daughter had the filet of beef, sampler for dessert excellent!!

Sunday 11/22 after our wonderful breakfast on the balcony headed for the beach. Things started to cloud up so we went on a road trip to check out the new spots. Stoped at Irad's on the beach in Sandy Ground (Irad was the former F&B manager at CJ and his chef is the former chef from
Kemias.) Had a great lunch, whole grilled lobster $30.00 which my husband and I each had and my daughter had a lobster wrap which was excellent!!! A couple of glasses of wine and I was in heaven, the waves crashing excellent food what more could you ask for. We liked it so much we went back on Monday night. After lunch we went over to Johnnos where there was a great jazz band, had to taste the ribs, which were great. Spent about an hour and headed back to CJ. There was very little rain in Sandy Ground, but when we got back to CJ everything was drenched. The sky had cleared so we spent the rest of the afternoon on the beach. Sunday night, reservation at Mangos. Great table next to the water, food was as good as always, I had caeser salad and sesame snapper - out of this world!! My daughter had the filet of beef (again) and I don't remember what my husband had. Dave was not there that night, we were told he went back to NJ, his mother passed away but would be back on Tuesday.

Monday - Vegg day, lunch at Georges, relaxing on the beach.There is nothing like cold towels at 11:00am and sorbet at 3:00pm. Beach attendents serving drinks and bringing water. CJ's beach is just beautiful, about a mile and a half long just for the resort. Very peacful and quiet, clear blue water.That evening dinner at Irads, asked Wayne the manager from Georges to stop by and say hello. Had another great meal, I had the lobster again, my husband had a seafood pasta which he is still talking about, we also ordered some lobster fritters for appetizer which were great!! Sat with Irad and Wayne and laughed all night. Great people!! Would highly recommend this this spot.

Tuesday - Another beautiful day on the beach, lunch at Georges and dinner at Straw Hat.
I had the spring rolls, and the snapper special my husband had a blackened steak and my daughter had a steak as well. The food was very good.
Wednesday - Beach in the morning then off to Scily Cay. First stopping for a tour of Serenity Cottages which are very nice and would highly recommend it. Lovely furnishings, extremely nice people and a small beach with a beach bar. Probably not exciting enough for my daughter, but certainly fine for my husband and I. Then off to Scily Cay. It was not extremely busy, but for some reason it took 1 Ω hours to get our lobsters (I think the waitress forgot to put in the order) I was smart enough not to order the rum punch, as I did not see any ambulances parked near the dock to take us home (LOL) I must be getting old, but just can't take those drinks anymore. Takes too long to recover.. Wednesday night - back to Mangos, Dave was back had another great meal, I had the Conch Chowder and the sesame snapper (a creature of habit). For dessert I had the chocolate cake
And my daughter had the coconut cheesecake. Both outstanding. Dave sat with us for awhile had a few laughs and discussed all the new places being built on the island. Mangos is always one of my favorite spots.

Thursday - Thanksgiving -Pouring rain!!! My husband and I decided to take a road trip, daughter stayed behind to go to the fitness center and e-mail friends. We decided to check out Skiffles Villas. Very nice,
And would recommend that spot as well, but again, probably boring for a teen. Then proceeded down to the Calahoo Club and Lockrom Estates. Can't see much but from what you can see it is beautiful. Drove down to Cinnamon Reef, the entrance was blocked off, so we could not get in.
Decided to head back to CJ and at that point the sun was starting to come out again. Had another lunch at Georges. Spent the rest of the afternoon on the beach and then over to Frangapini to meet a couple we met at the CJ cocktail party who are also from Connecticut. . We all went to dinner at Altimer, again another great dinner, followed by great desserts.
Friday - Last full day. After breakfast we headed for the beach and only left the beach for lunch
at Georges. Had cocktails in our suite with our Connecticut friends and then off to Mangos.
Had a great time, there was a band playing that just got everyone going. Ended up in a Conga line by the end of the night!! People were dancing, a couple of guys were dancing with the blow up doll that sits in the bar, it was hilarious. A great way to end a great vacation!!
Saturday - Time to go home. We were picked up in a beautiful Cigarette boat and wisked off to the airport where a gentleman from Execeutive Services was waiting on the dock. They took our bags and put us in a van, drove across the street to the AA counter. Told us to wait, went up to the counter checked us in and our bags and escorted us over to security. No hassels, no lines!! What a wonderful way to end a wonderful trip. Now it's time for a big diet!! Next stop St. Barths for Christmas!!!

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Diane