St. Maarten
Who: Anthony Crockett and Wendy Metzger of Englewood
Where: At the Sunset Beach Bar on Maho Beach.
Best meal: For Anthony, the meat plate with spare ribs and three sides at The Talk of the Town in Grade Case. Wendy likes the fresh seafood, everywhere. Don’t forget the French crêpes for dessert at Le Saint Germain in Marigot.
Best deal: The free drinks at Bamboo Bernie’s from 5-6 p.m.; then they are just $1 from 6-7 p.m. and $2 from 7-8 p.m. Pick up some Ma DouDou’s rum made on the island to take home duty-free, a must! Great deals on jewelry can be had at many spots on the island much cheaper than the United States; we purchased from Queen’s Fine Jewelry in Phillipsburg.
Best time to go: We like to go toward the end of November, at the end of the hurricane season and before the prices increase for the high season and holidays. Use the Thanksgiving holiday to get ready to go or decompress when you return.
Don’t leave home without: Sunblock and bug spray. The beaches are awesome, but the sun is strong. Pack a collapsible cooler and save money by bringing your own drinks to the beach; don’t forget the bottle opener and corkscrew. If you don’t want to pay for one on the beach, pack an umbrella.
