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Originally Posted by drminn
(Post 35255325)
A few years ago we were staying on the Orient Beach side and had a similar issue with the seaweed. It actually was much worse than in your pictures, as in a 2 ft berm all along the beach. Going to the beach on the other side of the island solved that issue, the beaches there were pristine and weed free. Seems to depend on the overall weather conditions and the wind.
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At least on a small island you have the option of going to the other side. On a continental beach, or a large island, every beach in roughly the same direction will be affected, and you might as well stay by the pool.
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La Samanna
It was time for our first dinner. We decided to go to the Italian restaurant La Spiaggia, although the menu is only partly Italian. The restaurant is completely open air, which is very pleasant in the Caribbean.
Mocktail https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...35c16e2cfc.jpg LINGUINE ALL’ ASTICE - Linguine pasta with Caribbean lobster, cherry tomato sauce (45 $) https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...06d49a832e.jpg INSALATA DI MARE - Mixed salad, shrimp, squid, octopus, and mussels (29 $) https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5af6d42485.jpg GRIGLIATA MISTA DI PESCE (TO SHARE) - Mixed grilled seafood, tuna, seabass, squid, shrimp, mussels, with grilled vegetables and potato (90 $) https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ae695987fe.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d9c90dce1f.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c8d2002bc4.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...867fb3c170.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...362ed32f29.jpg Ice Cream (14 $) https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ee9137ed0e.jpg The food was good, but also nothing that would stay in your memory forever. |
La Samanna
Now let's move on to breakfast. It was served in the bar area, from some seats you had a great view, from others an OK view.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ee5fbeda9f.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9967aef8d1.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e584e0a77c.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...411c0e2dbe.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...12439e65dc.jpg The main part of the breakfast was a rather lavish buffet. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...67ff568946.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...258fc226ca.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cbfed217bb.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cd682e6dee.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6315be4d7a.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ee861ceefd.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5404352a35.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b65043efc3.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e8ebd56dcb.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...83179656a9.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...32273df4b4.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f4e1207446.jpg Do you mention the structure?https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...eafc4c8757.jpg Not so sure.... https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...103dcbbcd3.jpg You could also order from a card (included). https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4392342767.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6221efcc98.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...83a3813aa6.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a2fac0a348.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ea387193a7.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9dac0f9531.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4634091d69.jpg The first 2 days the service was a bit lame, but then we were served by an excellent waitress for the next 4 days. Very friendly, attentive - as it should be. One of the few cases where I remember the name for the guest survey. I found the quality good, I was satisfied with the breakfast. |
Fortress Marigot
Of course, we didn't want to just stay at the hotel, but also explore the island. First we went to Marigot, the capital of the French part. Since it was Sunday, the stores were closed. But the fortress invited to a visit.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...622337beb7.jpg It's a short climb. You can also go a little higher by car, but we did not find the entrance at first. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0d43eec424.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8d6f75c3b8.jpg Along the way we encountered a number of iguanas. Some of them can pose really well. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...32d5b742ad.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1de322f210.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8ca9982dc1.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...91a52c3e12.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...db8fce07f2.jpg We are getting closer. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...063c91922e.jpg I think it is rather not a summit cross. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3489d8b93a.jpg The fortress itself is in ruins, but has been somewhat restored. Besides the view, the old walls are quite nice to look at. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...969584147f.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...403b5a26de.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d821fa7c9c.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d12a653053.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...34d204b762.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...292d0b36c4.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1ef0953390.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...98721cbb09.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...40b9846253.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f0665b649e.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9086f74674.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...034ea61016.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c172776f2b.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5e5c569b1d.jpg Good bye https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9e639a8c89.jpg |
Cemetery Saint-Martin de Tours
At the foot of Fort St. Louis is an old cemetery that belongs to a church. In the latter there was just a church service.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3dca312bdc.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5461016104.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5fd98a23ab.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...76984cf07d.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...96f55c4fba.jpg |
Belmond La Samanna
Once a week there is a BBQ buffet at Laplaj. That sounded interesting.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ee25e5250f.jpg The buffet was OK, if you eat meat you probably have more of it. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...031f82698e.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c3d85c1321.jpg The bill was steep, as always. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f0bfb47fbc.jpg Here we are at one thing that annoys me to no end at the Belmond. The hotel is located on the French side of St. Martin, official currency is the Euro. However, the Belmond marks everything in $, but the invoice amount is then actually in euros. The euro amount is then but not billed, but the Belmond converts back into dollars. If I then pay with my credit card, it converts again and I still pay a foreign currency fee. So money is burned without end for Europeans. In addition, the bill simply does not "fit", that is mathematically wrong. |
Bell’s lookout point
The next day we were supposed to go to the Dutch island capital Philipsburg. On the car ride, which took a little longer because of numerous traffic jams, we passed a viewpoint. The parking lot was conspicuous by several coaches, probably filled with cruise participants on island exploration.https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a768c64d27.jpghttps://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...156568cb74.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...81012d93a9.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8f093cc9a6.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d741b65e53.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...04ef0df8cd.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8a724915de.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...950e6a100c.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...576bfafed6.jpg |
Philipsburg
Philipsburgh is actually a roadside village on a moderately attractive beach with a cruise port. The latter is also the village's main source of income today.
We tried to get a parking space on the main road, but failed. Eventually we found a parking space. The good thing was that we could park all day with our parking ticket. The 'bad that it cost $10, which is then a handsome parking fee given the manageable sights and resulting limited time requirements. The luxury parking lot https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6921d6ecc7.jpg The first impression after getting out was first of all not so positive, you try to get over ugly casinos to the money of the crusaders. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8a363cef47.jpg The Voorstrat offers in the first place countless stores. In addition to well-known brand boutiques, there are always jewelers. The latter are partly very annoying, because they work with recruiters on the street. "Don't you want to look at the Rolex?" "Why don't you look at the Rolex?" "Do you want to look at the Rolex now, maybe?" "We have great Rolex watches!" Just annoying...... https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...aa4aba2dcb.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1a1d12a69e.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ef06ccc06a.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b868a1e544.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2e8720873e.jpg In addition, there are also some very beautiful buildings like the Courthouse, the church or other houses in colonial architecture. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...30259b6647.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5556bfdac7.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4d71edec14.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...286701d935.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1c3114c11d.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c7f7d6dd60.jpg Old Street is also nicely done. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0ec2db76e5.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b53af1066b.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d9095a6ed7.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7ff04ae91c.jpg |
Sint Marteen Museum
In Philipsburg there is the Sint Marteen Museum.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2a4ab33c2f.jpg First of all, it is positive that the museum does not charge an entrance fee. But one asks for a donation. With the collection, of course, you can not expect the Louvre, but it is quite nicely done. Despite the rather outdated presentation, they have made an effort and it is definitely worth a visit. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c5a0875ab5.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5affd657e2.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4372d0eb88.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d8df50a89c.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7c7760b8bc.jpg |
Yoda guy movie exhibit
There is a second museum in Philipsburg, the Yoda guy movie exhibit.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d6c2984950.jpg It is the exhibition of Nick Mailey, who worked as a makeup artist on the Star Wars films. Here he has now developed a small film museum with store. All profits go according to the homepage in a charity project, which I had not perceived on site. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b9c2109cf0.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...78d81dd1f0.jpg You first enter a room that serves as a store. There are a lot of film props and devotional objects like signed photos hanging there. Everything can be purchased, but prices are not listed for the time being. When I entered, a couple was just settled. "That's 80, 180, 260, 350." I thought I wasn't hearing right, $350 for 4 photos or something. They may be unique artifacts, but I'm not enough of a fan for that. I then looked around the store a bit. There is still a cordoned off area. I had read something about entrance fees around $20, now it said "for selected customers only" on the door. So I think you have to buy a little something. I then rather said goodbye. |
Marigot
After that we went to Marigot again. First a few buildings:
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5e3104253c.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d9e17a28ef.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8ce87cd9f3.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8952eb2639.jpg Le West Indies Shopping Center. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7a689025a7.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...223a48f65f.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3c21aabe60.jpg |
L´Oursin by Marcel Ravin
In the evening, it was time to try the Belmond's other restaurant, L'Oursin by Marcel Ravin. The restaurant had opened relatively recently, leaning on the 2-star chef. In some areas they also paint 2 stars next to the restaurant name, you just have to cannibalize it.
The L'Oursin is in the main building, essentially it is outside. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5cf7b04173.jpg In the evening the view is very beautiful, so eating is of course fun. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b5b7963af6.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...35856ec51a.jpg Menu. Not cheap, but interesting. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fbb0aa1ee4.jpg Good bread. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5ad50c5d65.jpg Marcedl´s Egg - Cassava, truffle, passion fruit (55 $) https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...949f93360f.jpg Flamed Sweet Potato - Citrus textures, floral bouquet (32 $) https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cc6c365fbf.jpg Truffled Breadfruit Gnocchi - West-indian borage butter (45 $) https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...68c20022aa.jpg For the main course we shared and a lobster by weight. The waitress apologized at first she knew the weight only in grams and would immediately get the information in lbs. She could only be dissuaded from this when I assured her that I had no idea whatsoever about lbs and, as a European, could cope excellently with grams. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f05218cf25.jpg Petit fours https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ce85b1d51b.jpg Almond & Mango - Peanut praline, fresh amgo, mango & lime sorbet (18 $) https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7e8573ecda.jpg At $390, the dinner was not cheap, but the quality was right. It was really delicious. |
Damn, that's a lot. I am the first guy to say that the restaurants should not be shy to charge appropriately for quality, but $390 for this? Particularly the egg feels a bit too much.... but I guess it's the truffle (which I feel personally to be way overhyped as a concept)
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