Jeff Billimek’s Journal

So Jen and I woke up around 6am and got ready for our trip. We took a shower and dressed. Because we packed up last night, it didn’t take us long to get ready. It was cold and raining outside so we brought along our coats.

We drove down to the airport and parked at the park & ride lot at the airport. Unlike our previous trip to San Antonio, we had no trouble waiting for a shuttle and were whisked to the terminal. The check-in line for international destinations wasn’t too bad and we had no problems checking in. Afterwards I learned from James W. that there are a few special ‘beta test’ kiosks that we could have used to do international check-in.

It didn’t take Jen and I long to make it to our gate (E-32). We were really early and so we sat near the podium and waited. I listened to some of my podcasts and Jen read her book.

The flight looked a bit iffy but I wasn’t stressing too much about it. As it turns out, we were cleared into first class. This was quite nice. Jen and I had a very enjoyable flight. In addition to having the fancy hot-towel service of first-class, we got to see the in-flight movie, ‘Walk the Line‘. We’ve both wanted to see this movie for quite a while so it was fun to finally see it.

After the very enjoyable 3.5-hour flight from Atlanta to St. Maarten, we were off the plane nearly before anyone else and were the first in line at the customs agent. We made it from the plane to the taxi in record time.

The taxi took us over to the Caravanserai hotel and we checked in. Our room wasn’t fancy or anything and didn’t view the beach but it was inexpensive so I was happy. I also noted that the quality of the hotel and the room seemed to be on par with what is over at the more expensive Maho hotel.

Our room wasn’t quite ready but we changed quickly out of our stuffy airplane clothes and headed out to the Sunset Beach Bar. It was so nice being out in the sunny Caribbean weather compared to the rainy and chilly atmosphere of home.

Jen and I hung out at the bar for the rest of the afternoon. We sipped on my favorite drink to have in St. Maarten: red bull & vodka. I had my camera ready and photographed incoming planes as they landed at the airport.

(An incoming Air Canada plane)

It was just like before and I loved it. Jen seemed to enjoy herself too. Some might not see the appeal of sitting at the base of a runway to watch large planes land.

(The view from our seats at the bar)

(An incoming KLM Boeing 747 jumbo-jet.)

Jen and I spent a lot of time talking about various things, including career changes.

(Air Transat)

Usually the sunset view from the bar (hence the name, ‘Sunset Beach Bar’) is spectacular. However today some clouds were massing on the horizon and it didn’t look like we would see a sunset today. Jen and I were a bit hungry and decided to get some dinner early.

The first time we went to St. Maarten together was such a wonderful experience. That time we dined overlooking the ocean at a restaurant called ‘Bliss’. We decided to go there for dinner tonight. I was also considering ‘Bamboo Bernie’s‘ but we went there last time.

Bliss had changed since we were there last. The tables were laid out differently. Since we were so early no one was around and I requested a table overlooking the ocean. The girl seating us advised against it saying that it would most likely rain and we would get wet. So instead we sat under some covering a little further back.

Our waiter brought menus and we looked at the wine list. Jen suggested that we get a French wine (since half of the island is French). She spotted a Pino that sounded good. When I put in the order for this wine, the waiter suggested that we get a different one instead. He told us that that particular wine wasn’t very good. We took his advice and ordered the other wine instead.

(Jen looking very cute at dinner)

It turned out to be a great choice. The wine tasted very good. I don’t remember exactly what kind it was since everything was in French. Jen ordered a salad as an appetizer that we shared.

I ordered the Lamb and Jen ordered the whole tilapia fish. The lamb was great. Jen’s ‘whole tilapia fish’ was just that: a whole fish with the fins, tail, and eyes. I’m glad I didn’t order that. She thought it was just ok.

We took our time at dinner and had a pretty good time. It was pretty expensive: about $140.

Originally I wanted to head over to the ‘Sopranos’ piano bar but we were ready to call it a night and went back to the hotel room instead.