Category Archives: About Bailey

Arriving in Sint Maarten!

Airport viewWe arrived in Sint Maarten late Saturday afternoon. Pam and I were separated on the plane by about 15 rows. But we both claimed to have the worst screaming kid right beside each other! haha

Anyway, we got here safe and sound. They have some weird rule where you can’t get your rental car at the airport! You have to line up outside and wait for an over crowded shuttle bus to take you to a little station so you can wait in line to be assigned a car, so you can then go wait in line to get the car!

The roads are something right out of a horror movie! WoW – they could use a BIT of paving! Dodging potholes seems to the national sport. Although we’re quite a ways from the airport, we managed to get to the resort without major incident, although Pam claims her kidneys will never be the same.

Driving to Oyster Bay    We got here as it was getting dark, so had no time for the ocean, although we have a swell view out of our room over the ocean. The rooms are nice, with some nice artwork on the walls. The beds are comfortable, and the smallish kitchen is well-equipped, and enough for our needs.

We had dinner at Beau Beau’s, which is a short 90 second walk from our suite. Pam and Maggie and Tim had the ribs and pronounced them good. They have the annoying habit of adding a 15% gratuity to the bill, which is pretty standard in most restaurants we’ve been to in the Caribbean. The waiters then tell you that they don’t really get any of that, and want an even bigger tip. sigh What can you do?

Tomorrow we’re gonna hit the ocean out front here and see what we can see.

Internet is very expensive here, so my updates might be not as regular as usual. We’ll do our best!

Arriving in Sint Maarten!

Airport viewWe arrived in Sint Maarten late Saturday afternoon. Pam and I were separated on the plane by about 15 rows. But we both claimed to have the worst screaming kid right beside each other! haha

Anyway, we got here safe and sound. They have some weird rule where you can’t get your rental car at the airport! You have to line up outside and wait for an over crowded shuttle bus to take you to a little station so you can wait in line to be assigned a car, so you can then go wait in line to get the car!

The roads are something right out of a horror movie! WoW – they could use a BIT of paving! Dodging potholes seems to the national sport. Although we’re quite a ways from the airport, we managed to get to the resort without major incident, although Pam claims her kidneys will never be the same.

Driving to Oyster Bay    We got here as it was getting dark, so had no time for the ocean, although we have a swell view out of our room over the ocean. The rooms are nice, with some nice artwork on the walls. The beds are comfortable, and the smallish kitchen is well-equipped, and enough for our needs.

We had dinner at Beau Beau’s, which is a short 90 second walk from our suite. Pam and Maggie and Tim had the ribs and pronounced them good. They have the annoying habit of adding a 15% gratuity to the bill, which is pretty standard in most restaurants we’ve been to in the Caribbean. The waiters then tell you that they don’t really get any of that, and want an even bigger tip. sigh What can you do?

Tomorrow we’re gonna hit the ocean out front here and see what we can see.

Internet is very expensive here, so my updates might be not as regular as usual. We’ll do our best!

Flamingos in Curacao

FlamingosThe other day a friend from work mentioned that her mother just loves flamingos, and I said, well, you just have to take her to Curacao and she can see them in the wild!

The shot to the left (click the thumbnail to get bigger pictures) was taken while coming back from Playa Kenepa. They were hanging around the marshy edges of the water, stepping gingerly through the water. They were there the next day as well, when we headed back to Porto Mari.

FlamingosWe stayed in the Royal Sea Aquarium while in Curacao, and they had a bunch of flamingos hanging around the restaurant, with a bunch of turtles. They were often noisy buggers, and had certain interactions that were um – unique – to say the least. Watch the movie to see what I mean.

Here is a movie of the flamingos in the Royal Sea Aquarium enclosure. We were having lunch in the restaurant when the flamingos got rather noisy, so this is what transpired.

Flamingos in Curacao

FlamingosThe other day a friend from work mentioned that her mother just loves flamingos, and I said, well, you just have to take her to Curacao and she can see them in the wild!

The shot to the left (click the thumbnail to get bigger pictures) was taken while coming back from Playa Kenepa. They were hanging around the marshy edges of the water, stepping gingerly through the water. They were there the next day as well, when we headed back to Porto Mari.

FlamingosWe stayed in the Royal Sea Aquarium while in Curacao, and they had a bunch of flamingos hanging around the restaurant, with a bunch of turtles. They were often noisy buggers, and had certain interactions that were um – unique – to say the least. Watch the movie to see what I mean.

Here is a movie of the flamingos in the Royal Sea Aquarium enclosure. We were having lunch in the restaurant when the flamingos got rather noisy, so this is what transpired.

Flamingos in Curacao

FlamingosThe other day a friend from work mentioned that her mother just loves flamingos, and I said, well, you just have to take her to Curacao and she can see them in the wild!

The shot to the left (click the thumbnail to get bigger pictures) was taken while coming back from Playa Kenepa. They were hanging around the marshy edges of the water, stepping gingerly through the water. They were there the next day as well, when we headed back to Porto Mari.

FlamingosWe stayed in the Royal Sea Aquarium while in Curacao, and they had a bunch of flamingos hanging around the restaurant, with a bunch of turtles. They were often noisy buggers, and had certain interactions that were um – unique – to say the least. Watch the movie to see what I mean.

Here is a movie of the flamingos in the Royal Sea Aquarium enclosure. We were having lunch in the restaurant when the flamingos got rather noisy, so this is what transpired.

Dining in Curacao

Sunday night we had dinner at the Sea Side Terrace. It came highly recommended by the Royal Aquarium staff, and we’d read nice reviews on line. Well, last night must have been an exception, because I’m not sure I’ve had worse service, worse food or a worse meal.

The owner raved about his rice and beans, that his fish was wonderful and fresh, his fish soup was home made and delicious. So I ordered the fish soup, fresh fish and rice and beans. Not sure how the soup was, since we never got it… The rice and beans had zero moisture in them, were cold, and were crispy – I’m not positive, but I don’t think that’s how it should be. The “fish” was three thin strips of something, coated in rubber, then deep fried til it was so overcooked that I couldn’t cut it with a knife and fork.

And the kicker – it only took 2 hours to get it! TERRIBLE!! DO NOT GO!

View from El GauchosOn a brighter note – Monday we ate at El Gauchos Steak house. When we were in Aruba last December, we ate the best meal we’ve ever had at El Gauchos. This restaurant has a complimentary shuttle, that picked us up at the hotel, drove us to the restaurant, then returned us to the hotel after dinner. Now that’s service!

The restaurant is situated on a hill, so you have an amazing view of parts of the city, and the island. The soccer stadium was lit up, with a game just finishing up as we sat down. It’s owned by a pair of Dutch brothers, but is not associated with the El Gauchos in Aruba.

The service was impeccable. Attentive, informative, friendly. The meal was delicious, starting with home made chicken soup. Now I thought I knew what chicken soup tasted like, but this was a unique creation with wonderful flavor and aroma. A nice all you can eat salad bar was also there. It was nice, but would have just preferred they bring a salad lol.

The steaks were served on large wooden chargers, and were quite simply, amazing. Easily as good as the El Gauchos in Aruba. I had mine with the roasted vegetables. They were very tasty!

For desert I had tiramisu, and Pam had some wonderful concotion called “Pyramides” — order it – you won’t be disappointed. Not that I was in anyway disappointed with the tiramisu. All in all – WONDERFUL. The view, the service, the food, and best of all the company!

Dining in Curacao

Sunday night we had dinner at the Sea Side Terrace. It came highly recommended by the Royal Aquarium staff, and we’d read nice reviews on line. Well, last night must have been an exception, because I’m not sure I’ve had worse service, worse food or a worse meal.

The owner raved about his rice and beans, that his fish was wonderful and fresh, his fish soup was home made and delicious. So I ordered the fish soup, fresh fish and rice and beans. Not sure how the soup was, since we never got it… The rice and beans had zero moisture in them, were cold, and were crispy – I’m not positive, but I don’t think that’s how it should be. The “fish” was three thin strips of something, coated in rubber, then deep fried til it was so overcooked that I couldn’t cut it with a knife and fork.

And the kicker – it only took 2 hours to get it! TERRIBLE!! DO NOT GO!

View from El GauchosOn a brighter note – Monday we ate at El Gauchos Steak house. When we were in Aruba last December, we ate the best meal we’ve ever had at El Gauchos. This restaurant has a complimentary shuttle, that picked us up at the hotel, drove us to the restaurant, then returned us to the hotel after dinner. Now that’s service!

The restaurant is situated on a hill, so you have an amazing view of parts of the city, and the island. The soccer stadium was lit up, with a game just finishing up as we sat down. It’s owned by a pair of Dutch brothers, but is not associated with the El Gauchos in Aruba.

The service was impeccable. Attentive, informative, friendly. The meal was delicious, starting with home made chicken soup. Now I thought I knew what chicken soup tasted like, but this was a unique creation with wonderful flavor and aroma. A nice all you can eat salad bar was also there. It was nice, but would have just preferred they bring a salad lol.

The steaks were served on large wooden chargers, and were quite simply, amazing. Easily as good as the El Gauchos in Aruba. I had mine with the roasted vegetables. They were very tasty!

For desert I had tiramisu, and Pam had some wonderful concotion called “Pyramides” — order it – you won’t be disappointed. Not that I was in anyway disappointed with the tiramisu. All in all – WONDERFUL. The view, the service, the food, and best of all the company!