TRIP REPORT 15 NOV -- 02 DEC
We arrived SBH at 4:30 PM via Detroit--Miami--SXM. Rather a long day of travel, but always rejuvinating when the wheels touch down in St. Barth. This is our 9th trip since spending our homeymoon there in 1997. People constantly ask me why we don't try somewhere new, but those are the same people that have never experienced St. Barth. Once you've been there you're hooked. At least we are. Picked up our Suzuki Samari at Island Rental and were escorted by our SIBARTH representative to villa KEL at Anse des Cayes. But, not before first going to the Match to get some very important supplies. Two six pack of Heineken, three bottles of Rose, bread, cheese and a dozen bottles of water. Less important things can be purchased later. Quite frankly we prefer to buy our provisions at Marche de L'Oasis in Lorient. They advertise themselves as "the island's friendliest supermarket". Okay, I'll try to stop rambling. First time in this villa, it is quite lovely, located high on the hillside overlooking St. Jean Bay. It is a two-bedroom villa with sliders that open wide on three sides of the living area, which gives that area an open feeling. An infinity pool overlooks the bay and a constant breeze provides natures best air conditioning. You can check it out on the WIMCO site.
During the time we were there we enjoyed a beautiful full moon that rose over the water and shown down like some sort of cosmic spotlight. The next morning we arose early to enjoy a spectacular sunrise coming up over the mountains. The rising sun seemed to call upon the roosters to start crowing and the birds to begin their morniing songs. So there we were watching the sunrise in the east and then turning to watch the full moon set in the west. The moon's last duty, before disappearing, was to gently pull the morning tide upon the beach. We sat there in silence watching the universe unfold before us. At times like this I try to remove all conscious thoughts from my mind and just become aware of the infinite beauty surrounding me.
I could go on and on about all the different restaurants we dined at, but I think I'll spare you the extended list and just mention those that are most memorable.
Favorites for Dinner: 1. The Wall House--Ate there twice, each time was a very pleasant experience. The lobster soup encroute is a fantastic starter. They had a special main course of sauteed chicken whisbones. Denis explained that this dish is very indigenous to France and is seldom prepared anywhere else. A must if you go there. Enjoyed a nice bottle of red wine from Gamay. 2. Mays's--Always excellent, very reliable. Started with the Thai cabbage salad flolowed by the Dover Sole with Creole sauce. The Domaines Ott Rose was a nice choice. 3. Le Sapotiller--As always Adam graciously greets you as you enter and explains with passion the evening specials after you are seated. A few new menu items this year. I tried the French Veal served with Hungarian noodles after an appetizer of frog legs. Adam suggested a lovely Merseault wine. 4. Eddy's--Certainly one of the best values on the island.. Enjoyed chatting with Eddy and his lovely wife Bridgette before being seated and ordering the fish spring roll appetizer followed by ginger fish. You will never leave here hungry. A Rose wine from Provence was nice this evening. 5. Andy's--A great chicken gizzard salad starter followed by a scrumptious pizza. As always, Andy provides great service in a lively atmosphere. Despite what his ad reads this is one not to miss. 6. Ti St. Barth--A weekend must. Make reservations no earlier that 9:30 PM. We enjoyed the beef tenderloin with truffle sauce preceded by a wonderful goat cheese salad. The place starts to get cranking about midnight with great music and dancing on the tables. Also has vallet parking, what is this island coming to.
Favorites for Lunch: 1. La Saladerie 2. Boubou's on Shell Beach 3. La Gloriette 4. Santa-Fe
Also don't miss Bete A Z'Ailes for tapas or a late evening drink. Jean Marc makes great Mojito's and Chocolate Martini's. Live entertainment 6 night a week.
Again for the second straight year I was completly disappointed with Le Rock Restaurant at Eden rock. I found the food to be average and the wine list, while expansive, was obscenely overpriced. I do however enjoy the Sand Bar at the same location.
There are certain people in the world that can be identified simply by using their first name. Such as Madonna, Cher, Elvis, Sting or Pele. St. Barth also has such a person. No visit to the island is ever complete until visiting with the man with the kind dark eyes and grey goatee named Marius. He is commonly refered to as the good will ambassador of the island. You will find him almost daily around 11:30 AM at the Select. He has owned that bar for 53 years now and is still going strong. I'm sure many of you were there for the 50th anniversary celebration when Jimmy Buffett performed. While Marius has turned over the day to day operation to his son Gary and manager Lucian, you can still see him there daily greeting those who come to his famous establishment. Marius was born in St. Barth in 1923 and was raised in a home that once occupied a space along the harbor in Gustavia. He shared with me his days as a youth on the island, when you could almost walk across the harbor in Gustavia. When the harbor had a beach on the side where the Anglican Church stands. How he and his friends would wade out into the water and pickup lobster, shrimp and conch. And how on certain night when the moon hit the water just right, the starfish in the bay would shine like diamonds.
We also made a pilgrimage to the remains of Antour de Roucher. Jimmy Buffett's old night club. Many weeks ago I posted a question to anyone who was ever there to reply with their memories. Skateboard Phil painted such a vivid picture we just had to go to see what was left. It truly was like walking into a mausoleum. There is much more there than I would have ever guessed. Most of the super structure is still very much intact. I have some photos I'll post at the gallery in a few days. But, Skateboard you are right the ghosts do still sing and dance there. I was told Letterman purchased the property some years ago.
Well enough of my rambling. As you can tell Bridget and I had a wonderful time. I hope I've been able to take you on a little mental vacation with some of my thoughts and observations. Kara and Bob by starting this site you have created an oasis where all of us can come from time to time to be refreshed by sharing our love for this special island. For that I am eternally grateful.
We arrived SBH at 4:30 PM via Detroit--Miami--SXM. Rather a long day of travel, but always rejuvinating when the wheels touch down in St. Barth. This is our 9th trip since spending our homeymoon there in 1997. People constantly ask me why we don't try somewhere new, but those are the same people that have never experienced St. Barth. Once you've been there you're hooked. At least we are. Picked up our Suzuki Samari at Island Rental and were escorted by our SIBARTH representative to villa KEL at Anse des Cayes. But, not before first going to the Match to get some very important supplies. Two six pack of Heineken, three bottles of Rose, bread, cheese and a dozen bottles of water. Less important things can be purchased later. Quite frankly we prefer to buy our provisions at Marche de L'Oasis in Lorient. They advertise themselves as "the island's friendliest supermarket". Okay, I'll try to stop rambling. First time in this villa, it is quite lovely, located high on the hillside overlooking St. Jean Bay. It is a two-bedroom villa with sliders that open wide on three sides of the living area, which gives that area an open feeling. An infinity pool overlooks the bay and a constant breeze provides natures best air conditioning. You can check it out on the WIMCO site.
During the time we were there we enjoyed a beautiful full moon that rose over the water and shown down like some sort of cosmic spotlight. The next morning we arose early to enjoy a spectacular sunrise coming up over the mountains. The rising sun seemed to call upon the roosters to start crowing and the birds to begin their morniing songs. So there we were watching the sunrise in the east and then turning to watch the full moon set in the west. The moon's last duty, before disappearing, was to gently pull the morning tide upon the beach. We sat there in silence watching the universe unfold before us. At times like this I try to remove all conscious thoughts from my mind and just become aware of the infinite beauty surrounding me.
I could go on and on about all the different restaurants we dined at, but I think I'll spare you the extended list and just mention those that are most memorable.
Favorites for Dinner: 1. The Wall House--Ate there twice, each time was a very pleasant experience. The lobster soup encroute is a fantastic starter. They had a special main course of sauteed chicken whisbones. Denis explained that this dish is very indigenous to France and is seldom prepared anywhere else. A must if you go there. Enjoyed a nice bottle of red wine from Gamay. 2. Mays's--Always excellent, very reliable. Started with the Thai cabbage salad flolowed by the Dover Sole with Creole sauce. The Domaines Ott Rose was a nice choice. 3. Le Sapotiller--As always Adam graciously greets you as you enter and explains with passion the evening specials after you are seated. A few new menu items this year. I tried the French Veal served with Hungarian noodles after an appetizer of frog legs. Adam suggested a lovely Merseault wine. 4. Eddy's--Certainly one of the best values on the island.. Enjoyed chatting with Eddy and his lovely wife Bridgette before being seated and ordering the fish spring roll appetizer followed by ginger fish. You will never leave here hungry. A Rose wine from Provence was nice this evening. 5. Andy's--A great chicken gizzard salad starter followed by a scrumptious pizza. As always, Andy provides great service in a lively atmosphere. Despite what his ad reads this is one not to miss. 6. Ti St. Barth--A weekend must. Make reservations no earlier that 9:30 PM. We enjoyed the beef tenderloin with truffle sauce preceded by a wonderful goat cheese salad. The place starts to get cranking about midnight with great music and dancing on the tables. Also has vallet parking, what is this island coming to.
Favorites for Lunch: 1. La Saladerie 2. Boubou's on Shell Beach 3. La Gloriette 4. Santa-Fe
Also don't miss Bete A Z'Ailes for tapas or a late evening drink. Jean Marc makes great Mojito's and Chocolate Martini's. Live entertainment 6 night a week.
Again for the second straight year I was completly disappointed with Le Rock Restaurant at Eden rock. I found the food to be average and the wine list, while expansive, was obscenely overpriced. I do however enjoy the Sand Bar at the same location.
There are certain people in the world that can be identified simply by using their first name. Such as Madonna, Cher, Elvis, Sting or Pele. St. Barth also has such a person. No visit to the island is ever complete until visiting with the man with the kind dark eyes and grey goatee named Marius. He is commonly refered to as the good will ambassador of the island. You will find him almost daily around 11:30 AM at the Select. He has owned that bar for 53 years now and is still going strong. I'm sure many of you were there for the 50th anniversary celebration when Jimmy Buffett performed. While Marius has turned over the day to day operation to his son Gary and manager Lucian, you can still see him there daily greeting those who come to his famous establishment. Marius was born in St. Barth in 1923 and was raised in a home that once occupied a space along the harbor in Gustavia. He shared with me his days as a youth on the island, when you could almost walk across the harbor in Gustavia. When the harbor had a beach on the side where the Anglican Church stands. How he and his friends would wade out into the water and pickup lobster, shrimp and conch. And how on certain night when the moon hit the water just right, the starfish in the bay would shine like diamonds.
We also made a pilgrimage to the remains of Antour de Roucher. Jimmy Buffett's old night club. Many weeks ago I posted a question to anyone who was ever there to reply with their memories. Skateboard Phil painted such a vivid picture we just had to go to see what was left. It truly was like walking into a mausoleum. There is much more there than I would have ever guessed. Most of the super structure is still very much intact. I have some photos I'll post at the gallery in a few days. But, Skateboard you are right the ghosts do still sing and dance there. I was told Letterman purchased the property some years ago.
Well enough of my rambling. As you can tell Bridget and I had a wonderful time. I hope I've been able to take you on a little mental vacation with some of my thoughts and observations. Kara and Bob by starting this site you have created an oasis where all of us can come from time to time to be refreshed by sharing our love for this special island. For that I am eternally grateful.
