May visit 2019

PeterLynn

Senior Insider
Sixth visit to the island and the fifth on Flamands. After a mad dash, sub-hour connection, in ATL and the tent city in SXM last year, decided to give Tradewind a try. Wonderful experience. Fortunately we have a direct flight from IAH to SJU, which eliminated one connection. Arrived around 3:45 and after an hour-ish wait in the lounge, were escorted out to an otherwise empty plane. Turns out we had our own private charter! Flight was smooth and in an hour we were arcing over saline with what turned out to be our first over water landing. Captured some great video. As the last flight of the day, everyone from the gendarme to Odile seemed anxious get us on our way so that they could head home. Who could blame them! While we love the sun, surf and evenings at some great restaurants, we always find dusk a special time with the warm hues and the hustle and bustle as activities and routines shift from day to night.

With the villa unavailable until Saturday, and no real reason to spend Friday in San Juan, we booked a single night in the Sunset in Gustavia. Nice place. Inexpensive and centrally located. Definitely consider them again when a single night is needed. Washed up and headed next door for a delicious meal of moules marinieres et frites at Le Repaire. Wonderful way to start the trip. Took a stroll along the quay to Le Select where a couple of hours were spent with a bottle of rose in the midst of what seemed like most of the island "millennials". Good fun.

This morning, we headed over to Le Creperie, which didn't open until 10:30, so we strolled over to Choisy for petite dejuner. Back to the hotel, we checked out and loaded up the Jimny (none of them seem to have spare tires on the back anymore???) and dropped our luggage off at SiBarth to take on to the villa. With the freed up space, we stopped at Segeco for our annual case of VC. 225 euros for 6! Headed up to Lurin and Santa Fe to check on the rumors of their summer closing. Turns out they are open until June 15, so lunch for next week is back on. Dropped down to gouverneurs, because the drive never gets old. After several more stops, we ended up in St Jean for some "leche-vitrine" and a first-time lunch at Kiki-e-mo. Very low key, nice friendly service and delicious durade burger all while watching the stream of taxis dropping off Nikki newbies across the road. With the clock ticking toward the magic 3:00 hour, stopped at Pearl Beach for Apperol Spritzers. About mid-way through Bikini Saturday, the text finally arrived that announced the villa was ready! Quick detour to the Marche for supplies (Rose, ice, coffee, rose, water and more rose) and we are soon "Home".

This evening we had our annual stroll down the beach to La Langouste for the official "First Meal". So looking forward to Benjamin, but alas, he left the island a week ago. While the service was every bit as good, his laugh and energy will be sorely missed. Based on forum recommendations, had the sole, which was absolutely wonderful. Can't believe I have never ordered it before! Wife had the delicious and incredibly rich Langouste Tagliatelles. With the restaurant filling up, we finished and made reservations for our "Last Meal". Shared Langouste Grilee??

Some initial thoughts. Lot's of villa and infrastructure construction everywhere, but less frantic than last year. Sort of strange, but the
Island seemed very quiet. Not as much traffic nor activity at the airport. Maybe it's just me. What is quite obvious though is how brown everything is. Odile said it's been five months without significant rainfall. Forecast shows rain on Sunday. Being a "villa day", I'd love sun, but won't be sad if it pours. The place desperately needs it.

A few pictures:

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Welcome back. Everything seems fine and dandy. Your news of SF still being open for business for a while thrilled me. They have excellent Dover Sole there too. The chicken dish is also fantastic. Just sayin', did not mean to hijack your post.
 
Thank you for the great reporting. Pictures are fabulous. Wish you both a wonderful time in paradise! Enjoy the VC
 
Great first post on your arrival “home”! Loved the detail and your pictures. Will look forward to your daily VC photos and postings to come!

Gayle
 
Villa Day.

Stocked up yesterday, but apparently nobody cooks at the VDD as there isn't even salt and pepper here. Thus, a morning run is in order. Stopped at Petite Columbe for baguettes before heading to the Marche, which isn't open yet. Guess the vacation has begun as the days are starting to blur (two days in!) Time to kill, we drove around St Jean and the hills above, taking in some spectacular views. Could have kept exploring but we can hear Flamand's waves calling, so back to a now crowded Marche (the locals sure have their timing down) and a handful of essentials. Free from the chaos, we had back and spend the rest of the morning and afternoon on floats with a Kindle in one hand and glass of chilled Clos Beylesse in the other. Clouds start to fill in close to (our) dinner time, so a quick shower and it's time to fire up the grill for entrecotes, leftover langouste tagliatelles and a nice Bourgogne.

A few pictures:

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For future reference, Epicerie de Corossol, the small grocery near Au Regal, opens at 06:30 Mon-Sat and 07:00 on Sundays and holidays. El Bravo Mini Market, near Chez Yvon in Anse des Cayes opens at 06:00 Mon-Sat, and 08:00 on Sundays and Holidays. They're both small, but they're the earliest opening grocery stores.

I've found the receipt for my case of Saint-Barth Veuve Clicquot Arrows. It was higher than the €225 which you paid for the regular case, €275 for 6 bottles. That's probably the last case of Arrows which I'll buy. I've got enough for any conceivable personal use, so it's either stop buying them or start selling them.
 
Where in the bowels of the website are the instructions for turning a tiny thumbnail photo into the nice large photos shown here? Thanks to the
technologically enlightened! signed: J. Luddite
 
Ahhhh....St Barth! Your photos and recaps are lowering my blood pressure as I type. Thank you for sharing and keep 'em coming!!
 
As I count the days until our departure, I'm delighted to read your musings... and I'm especially happy to hear that the Santa Fe closing isn't until June 15th.
Thanks, Peter and Lynn!
Keep enjoying!
 
Gouverneurs and Santa Fe

After a quick breakfast of toasted baguettes and Malo yoghurt, we pack up the Jimny and head to Gouverneur. Love sitting in the sun looking out over the amazing blues, but have always struggled getting an umbrella to stay anchored with the always strong breezes. Few months back read a post or two about a beach umbrella that breaks down to fit in a suitcase. Bought it and bingo! Works like a charm. Has small bags to fill with sand and ties to the umbrella. Probably 5-10 minutes to set up and even has a small table. Wife is very happy now. Better than roses on valentines day.

As the noon hour approaches, we pack up and head up the hill to Santa Fe. Wonderful views and breezes. With a chilled rose to enjoy, we could sit there the rest of the day. But I have a mission, which is to try the Sole Meuniere. Absolutely wonderful. Hard to compare with the one I had at La Langouste. David's is richer, while La Langouste is bit more citrusy. Fortunately there are enough days to enjoy both.

Two hours later, we head back to villa for some poolside reading and then a pre-dinner race down past the Cheval Blanc to catch the sunset. Quick change of clothes and we are headed up the hill to Les Bananiers for Fermiere pizza - Goat cheese, lardons and honey. Bites were taken before pictures, so excuse us.

Satiated, we head back down the hill for the first VC toast of the vacation, including one to Rosemond's recovery.

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These pics make me a little jealous. Sounds like a great day! I remember reading about that umbrella...what brand is it? Thanks! Have a great time in paradise.
 
I remember reading about that umbrella...what brand is it?
Too tired to run out to the Jimny last night. It's a PortaBrella. They have a new version, but they were out of stock, so I ordered the original. Had to get the anchor sandbags (absolutely necessary) and the folding table.
 
Wonderful photos and reporting. Keep enjoying and posting. It gets those of us not on the island through our work day!
 
Y'all have this vacation thing down PAT! Great photos and enjoyable reads. I'm so happy you share this with us back home. :blush-smile:
 
Love your reports. We arrive on the 26th. Maybe we will see you out and about on the island. I will definitely check out that umbrella as it is a necesscity for us
 
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