To rent or not to rent? That is the question..

[davesmom]

Bonjour from Antigua..1st stop on our cruise after 2 days in SXM. Having never ever been seasick, I was pretty sure I was going to die yesterday or definitely wanted to but I got some help from the good people the ship so I’ll save that for a trip report later. Praying it does not return..no experience before.. should have come back home straight to SBH..
Well, that brings me to my real question: as of now, I rented a car for our day in SBH and I plan basically on going out to L’Oasis to Océane’s Brin d’Ile shop, Lunch at Sand Bar (Vincent got me a reservation), and then to Gustavia to help out the local economy..a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it... DD says getting a car is a waste and we should just take taxis. So do you think it would be easy to do that, as I don’t need a car in Gustavia but do to get around to St Jean At ER before lunch and then back to Gustavia. I heard we have to be into port on the 22nd before 6 pm or they close the port so good news for maybe getting an early dinner (8 pm) and will find out the last tender time, but haven’t picked a restaurant yet.

So do you think we should do taxis? Are you team DD or DM?

 

[cassidain]

hitchhiking could be fun

 

[bkeats]

Having never ever been seasick, I was pretty sure I was going to die

There is an old saying about seasickness. There are two phases to seasickness. First phase you’re so sick you’re afraid you’re going to die. The second phase is now you feel so sick that you’re afraid you’re not going to die. I suspect you will be fine from now on. Once you break through to the other side you will be fine. The worst part is once you get your sea legs you’ll step on land and it will feel like somebody needs to hold the ground still.

I think renting a car is a splendid idea as it gives you full flexibility. Come and go as you please.

 

[amyb]

Or maybe hire a car and driver for the day.

 

[davesmom]

There is an old saying about seasickness. There are two phases to seasickness. First phase you’re so sick you’re afraid you’re going to die. The second phase is now you feel so sick that you’re afraid you’re not going to die. I suspect you will be fine from now on. Once you break through to the other side you will be fine. The worst part is once you get your sea legs you’ll step on land and it will feel like somebody needs to hold the ground still.

I think renting a car is a splendid idea as it gives you full flexibility. Come and go as you please.

Boy, do you know your business! That is exactly how it went…doing well today, thank heavens! What a shock. Who ever thought that could happen after 70 plus years of no such thing.

Good news: just talked to the Captain and they said we would be able to do dinner on shore as the tenders go until 1:00 AM! I will try to get a reservation at L’Esprit but it is late to book so he recommended Bar Des Prés that someone else on this ship previously recommended. Any thoughts?

 

[cec1]

I’d love to have a report on Bar Des Prés! I plan to go there when I return to the island in a few weeks. I will note, however, that while it has attained a reputation for extremely fine food, it also is reportedly ”very expensive” — exceeding SBH‘s already super-size pricing.

For my part, L’Esprit is my go-to dinner venue . . . food preparation always is rarified! Service is balanced, subtle, & professional. Exquisite, fairly priced wine list. The ambiance is serene! (I’ll add that L’Esprit’s rival, in my acquaintance, is Mamo . . . not an outdoor setting, but nevertheless an elegant venue. Different style than L’Esprit -- haute cuisine vs. sensual, earthy flavors of rustic Italy. Service at both restaurants is notable, though I would distinguish L’Esprit as “island-refined,” in authentic local sophistication . . . while Mamo is more formal & consciously evocative of (real or perceived) Italian-sophistication.

 

[davesmom]

Dennis, DD was really hoping you and your lovely wife would be available to have dinner with us on the 22nd and he was equally disappointed to find out that you were not..but we are trying to make a reservation at L ‘esprit with our ship concierge and I believe DD also wrote, through I don’t know what site; he’s really trying so we keep our fingers crossed that it works out. I’m just so excited to be able to get a dinner on land in SBH, of course. (Casa Coloniale was also recommended by our captain who knows SBH really well but I remembered they have cigars and that is a deal breaker for me because of allergies. ) so hoping we will find something..no goes hungry in SBH! We can just take taxis because I am guessing the restaurant can call for us..yippee, last tender is 1:00 am so we won’t be late to get back..but if had to get left behind.. oh well…wish you were there, along with the ever-fabulous A&P..our L’Esprit toujours dining compagnons

 

[davesmom]

Bonjour from Nevis, a lovely island! Very educational historically.

Some good news: L’Esprit is booked when we get to SBH for 8 pm! Dreams do come true; now we just have to hope to get taxis both ways. Or get stuck there..not the worst thing. Really, there is no other restaurant at which I would rather celebrate .
Still debating about the car…getting heavy pressure from the DD side about only taking taxis…

 

[amyb]

Bonjour from Nevis, a lovely island! Very educational historically.

Some good news: L’Esprit is booked when we get to SBH for 8 pm! Dreams do come true; now we just have to hope to get taxis both ways. Or get stuck there..not the worst thing. Really, there is no other restaurant at which I would rather celebrate .
Still debating about the car…getting heavy pressure from the DD side about only taking taxis…

SO HAPPY WATCHING YOUR 50th ANNIVERSARY PLANS UNFOLD….YAY.

We celebrated many of our wedding milestones in Jean Claude’s restaurant with his wonderful team making all of them special.

Here’s to many more, kids!

 

[davesmom]

 

[davesmom]

Looks like DD won the battle of the taxis. So now, I guess we will have to check out this aspect of getting around. So that being said, if you have a taxi driver/company that you might choose to recommend, I’m open to suggestions .

Secondly, a logistics question: if we need a taxi during the day do you recommend shopping in Gustavia in the morning vs the afternoon, given I need to be at ER at 12:30? If that is the scenario, I want to do a little shopping after lunch in St-Jean, get a taxi to L’Oasis to Brin d’île, and then back to Gustavia.

Or should we try to go to L’Oasis before lunch and then to ER, and then to Gustavia? The anniversary gift is coming from Gustavia so I need a little time there, and then just picking up the “regular stuff”. Boat does not leave until 10:00 pm!

Thanks for your opinion…I probably need the most time in Gustavia

 

[KevinS]

Océane, ER, Gustavia is the order that I think would be best, but I don’t know what you have in mind for St Jean shopping.

 

[davesmom]

Océane, ER, Gustavia is the order that I think would be best, but I don’t know what you have in mind for St Jean shopping.

Thank you so much! Sounds like a plan. Wish you and Kate were on island