@BostonAndy, looks like we were on the island at the same time. I am jealous that you saw David Letterman, not once but twice! I always slow down by his house on the way to Gouverneur to see if he is there. . . but I've only ever seen turtles drinking from the water bowls he puts out.
Our second week was just as satisfying and joyful as our first.
Late the first week we took an afternoon + sunset sail ride via St. Barth Sailor, which has become an annual tradition when we travel with friends. Although there has been a different captain each year we have always had great experiences with them. This year TiTi and Camille were fantastic hosts. During our first stop at Ile fourchue, we realized that there was a miscommunication regarding food for the ride. Luckily, they were able to have it delivered via a sailing school dingy while we were anchored at Colombier! Each year we have some debate in advance whether it is worth indulging in the excursion again but we never regret going as soon as we head out of the harbor.
The adults also went out for a date night at L'Espirit before our friends left - another tradition. It remains our favorite special dinner out between the setting and exquisite and creative preparations. The snails in sage, garlic, and cauliflower foam were the biggest hit of the night. As another commenter mentioned - we did notice that service waned a bit as the meal went on. We chalked it up to the restaurant letting us linger and not rushing us.
We stopped by Tropical for a drink on the way to dinner since it was just a short stroll down the hill from our first villa. We were seated by the pool. Our mojitos were meh and served in some weird cups that looked like 7-Eleven slushies. When we asked for L'addition, we were told that there was only one person who could give it to us - and that person had vanished for a while. It was a strange experience and we will likely not be back. We enjoyed the restaurant there when it first re-opened a few years back but the concept has changed since then too.
On Sunday, March 29th we returned to the Anglican church but the visiting priest gave the sermon rather than Father Charlie.
We got to see Father Charlie again that afternoon when he sauntered up to the bar at Le Toiny Beach Club, where we had a delicious lunch. The tuna tartare, burger, and lobster salad were our favorites. Father Charlie recognized us from church and came over to say hello. His hospitality across both venues is second to none on the island in IMO.
Highlights during the rest of the trip included:
- Lunch at Amnios, a new restaurant in the small hotel of the same name in Grand Cul de Sac. It's on the right just before the left turn to Ti Corail. The restaurant is in an elevated position and had a nice breeze. The food was good and it will be in our rotation next time. We also enjoyed talking to a very nice couple next to us who just bought a house on the island a few years ago after visiting more than 100x over 30+ years. We are jealous! Parking is limited but we went on a Tuesday when Ti Corail is closed so there was plenty of parking on the other side of the road.
- Wildlife at La Carette, which included a housecat (that the housekeepers were feeding with approval from the owner), a kestrel falcon who perched on top of the roof our first afternoon, and some very friendly turtles (including a tiny baby one). Fortunately on our way home we pointed out to our two children the picture of the turtle on the sign at the airport depicting things that are illegal to bring on the plane!
- Second lunches at Fish Corner and Grain de Sel. Our favorite spots this trip.
- Body surfing in the afternoon waves at Saline.
- Dinner with other friends who live literally down the street in Wyndmoor PA and coincidentally were visiting the island our second week there.
- A delicious and very reasonably priced 2011 bottle of Chateau l'Aurage from Cotes de Bordeaux purchased from La Fayette Wine Shop in Gustavia.
- The weather - breezy, sunny and dry.
- Rainbows in the distance over ile Fregate despite no apparent rain.
- The view from the villa any time of day.
- Odile from Gumbs delivering us a new rental car at our villa within an hour of the battery in the first car going dead.
- Not one request for a tip in connection with the bill for a meal. Granted I always volunteer a pourboire but that usually occurs after the server leaves the check.
In addition to the subpar experience at Tropical we were not impressed with the pizza at Bouchon. The crust was very hard. One daughter ordered a chicken & mushroom dish though that was pretty tasty.
Traffic was never that bad. There do seem to be an inordinate number of unsightly scarred swaths of hillside with apparently large tiered villas under construction. And if you are close enough, there is the occasional thump thump from the right side of St. Jean.
But we are still able to find plenty of serenity, beauty, and joy in many many places on the island. I've tried to drop in a few pictures that are proof.
We are already in the process of rebooking for next Spring and, if I have my druthers we may sneak in a trip at Thanksgiving.
View attachment IMG_4439.jpeg
View attachment IMG_4483.jpeg
View attachment Image 1.jpeg
View attachment Image 2.jpeg
Our second week was just as satisfying and joyful as our first.
Late the first week we took an afternoon + sunset sail ride via St. Barth Sailor, which has become an annual tradition when we travel with friends. Although there has been a different captain each year we have always had great experiences with them. This year TiTi and Camille were fantastic hosts. During our first stop at Ile fourchue, we realized that there was a miscommunication regarding food for the ride. Luckily, they were able to have it delivered via a sailing school dingy while we were anchored at Colombier! Each year we have some debate in advance whether it is worth indulging in the excursion again but we never regret going as soon as we head out of the harbor.
The adults also went out for a date night at L'Espirit before our friends left - another tradition. It remains our favorite special dinner out between the setting and exquisite and creative preparations. The snails in sage, garlic, and cauliflower foam were the biggest hit of the night. As another commenter mentioned - we did notice that service waned a bit as the meal went on. We chalked it up to the restaurant letting us linger and not rushing us.
We stopped by Tropical for a drink on the way to dinner since it was just a short stroll down the hill from our first villa. We were seated by the pool. Our mojitos were meh and served in some weird cups that looked like 7-Eleven slushies. When we asked for L'addition, we were told that there was only one person who could give it to us - and that person had vanished for a while. It was a strange experience and we will likely not be back. We enjoyed the restaurant there when it first re-opened a few years back but the concept has changed since then too.
On Sunday, March 29th we returned to the Anglican church but the visiting priest gave the sermon rather than Father Charlie.
We got to see Father Charlie again that afternoon when he sauntered up to the bar at Le Toiny Beach Club, where we had a delicious lunch. The tuna tartare, burger, and lobster salad were our favorites. Father Charlie recognized us from church and came over to say hello. His hospitality across both venues is second to none on the island in IMO.Highlights during the rest of the trip included:
- Lunch at Amnios, a new restaurant in the small hotel of the same name in Grand Cul de Sac. It's on the right just before the left turn to Ti Corail. The restaurant is in an elevated position and had a nice breeze. The food was good and it will be in our rotation next time. We also enjoyed talking to a very nice couple next to us who just bought a house on the island a few years ago after visiting more than 100x over 30+ years. We are jealous! Parking is limited but we went on a Tuesday when Ti Corail is closed so there was plenty of parking on the other side of the road.
- Wildlife at La Carette, which included a housecat (that the housekeepers were feeding with approval from the owner), a kestrel falcon who perched on top of the roof our first afternoon, and some very friendly turtles (including a tiny baby one). Fortunately on our way home we pointed out to our two children the picture of the turtle on the sign at the airport depicting things that are illegal to bring on the plane!
- Second lunches at Fish Corner and Grain de Sel. Our favorite spots this trip.
- Body surfing in the afternoon waves at Saline.
- Dinner with other friends who live literally down the street in Wyndmoor PA and coincidentally were visiting the island our second week there.
- A delicious and very reasonably priced 2011 bottle of Chateau l'Aurage from Cotes de Bordeaux purchased from La Fayette Wine Shop in Gustavia.
- The weather - breezy, sunny and dry.
- Rainbows in the distance over ile Fregate despite no apparent rain.
- The view from the villa any time of day.
- Odile from Gumbs delivering us a new rental car at our villa within an hour of the battery in the first car going dead.
- Not one request for a tip in connection with the bill for a meal. Granted I always volunteer a pourboire but that usually occurs after the server leaves the check.
In addition to the subpar experience at Tropical we were not impressed with the pizza at Bouchon. The crust was very hard. One daughter ordered a chicken & mushroom dish though that was pretty tasty.
Traffic was never that bad. There do seem to be an inordinate number of unsightly scarred swaths of hillside with apparently large tiered villas under construction. And if you are close enough, there is the occasional thump thump from the right side of St. Jean.
But we are still able to find plenty of serenity, beauty, and joy in many many places on the island. I've tried to drop in a few pictures that are proof.
We are already in the process of rebooking for next Spring and, if I have my druthers we may sneak in a trip at Thanksgiving.
View attachment IMG_4439.jpeg
View attachment IMG_4483.jpeg
View attachment Image 1.jpeg
View attachment Image 2.jpeg
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