Caribbean Solo Trip
(a very different trip traveling Solo, but still good to travel)
People like always around the world are very friendly
Brief Itinerary (will update as needed)
(full detail itinerary following brief itinerary)
| Jan 18 Wed | Flight Boise to San Juan PR via Houston. |
| Jan 19 Thursday | At the Sheraton Old Town San Juan, Puerta Rico. |
| Jan 20 Friday | San Juan - Continued |
| Jan 21 Saturday | Flight San Juan to Sint Maarten Stay at Alicia's Inn |
| Jan 22 Sunday | Sint Maarten/Saint Martin Continued |
| Jan 23 Monday | Sint Maarten/Saint Martin Continued |
| Jan 24 Tuesday | Sint Maarten/Saint Martin Continued |
| Jan 25 Wednesday | Sint Maarten/Saint Martin Continued |
| Jan 26 Thursday | Sint Maarten/Saint Martin Continued |
| Jan 27 Friday | Sint Maarten/Saint Martin Continued |
| Jan 28 Saturday | Sint Maarten/Saint Martin Continued |
| Jan 29 Sunday | Sint Maarten/Saint Martin Continued |
| Jan 30 Monday | Sint Maarten/Saint Martin Continued |
| Jan 31 Tuesday | Flight Sint Maarten to San Juan |
| Feb 1 Wednesday | Flight San Juan to Boise |
| Feb 2 Thursday | Relax at Home, probably in front of Fireplace given the Temps. Followed by planning the next trip as has always been our time frame - plan the next one on the second day home. |
Full Detail Itinerary by Day
Bill in San Juan
| Day #1 | Jan 18, 2023 Wednesday | Flight Boise to San Juan PR, and stay for several days. The flight to Sint Maarten from Boise was 21 hours with an over-night stay in Newark, so I booked a one stop (Houston) to San Juan and then 4 days later another trip from San Juan to Sint Maarten. It was about the same price and much nicer to have two short travel days instead of one very very long one. |
| Day #1-4 | Jan 18-21 Wed-Sat | San Juan PR: My plan: quite walks around old town; the reality San Sebastian Festival, with over 100,000 people per day in old town. Very different then I planned but good. Lots of good music and some different music, I enjoyed both. Great food!  The Streets of San Juan during the festival One very great highlight was getting a text from a former ski patroller that was in Puerto Rico doing some surfing. We met for drinks, introduction to his girlfriend, and listening to some music in one of the town squares. It was a great surprise and the highlight of my time in San Juan. They make a great couple and seem to be very much in sync, I am very excited for them and wish them a great time together. However, I do think she is way too cute for him :-). A wonderful couple and I got lots of hugs from both, which was great.  John & Bill both in San Juan What a great Surprise She talked about liking him because he was not a "Bro". I had to ask what a "Bro" was, she said the opposite of me and him, someone that would not give lots of hugs and talk openly about themselves (We were talking about Debbie not being with me and travelling Solo and my feelings about that). I would have called it someone trying to be macho, I wonder if "Bro" is more of an east coast way of saying it. Went for a run, did 4 miles, but was a little hard with the heat and the hills. But what scenery it is so great to run in different places when I travel. I ran outside the fortress walls between the walls and the ocean on a great path and then some dirt trails. What a run! Also it is something I have always done Solo so it is a familiar thing to do on my own. My San Juan Run Dining Solo has been Ok, talking to people and also texting friends and family at home during and after meals (especially one good friend that recently lost her husband so she really understands what I am going through and has been a great help for me at home and traveling). The Staff at restaurants have been great, they seem to chat with people that are dining Solo. I saw the word Solo used on a travel site and I like it better than saying alone or single, "alone" well just sounds sad (as I have lots of friends and family) and "single" seems to imply you are looking for a date or looking for someone to ride the chair lift if you are a skier. I explored the fort and some historic buildings, it was great even with all the crowds. The mornings were pretty quiet so that was great. It was amazing that it was so clean in the mornings after a very crowded festival the night before, but they have a huge amount of people cleaning the streets day and night, very clean. Had to wear a wrist band for the hotel, to keep the crowds out and the hotel restaurants were only open for guests of the hotel. Although the hotel is on the outskirts of old town by the cruise harbor - so not that crowded around the hotel. Was so "busy" looking around town I did not get to the beach, but that is OK will get a lot of beach time on Sint Maarten/Saint Martin. |
| Day #4 | Jan 21 Saturday | Flight from San Juan to "Sint Maarten" (Dutch side) ("Saint Martin" if you are on the French side) Taxi to Philipsburg and checking in to Alicia's Inn, A wonderful low key place only a short block off the beach, really friendly staff, 11 good sized rooms, super clean and very economical for a longer stay. Defiantly my favorite place to stay on Sint Maarten, although have stayed in other good places like the Horizon View Hotel (the advantage here is you can get a beach view room). Keeping in mind my idea of a good room is a local hotel (not a big chain), clean, friendly staff, nice room (basic is OK), Location, Location and Location. Some of the events below are out of order, because the days kind of run together, which is not all bad and kind of the plan when relaxing on a tropical island. |
| Day #4-14 | Jan 21-31 Sat-Tue | Well the first stop on Sint Marten has to be Maho Beach The most famous Beach on the Island - Maho Beach I am at the Sunset Bar just beside Maho Beach. Great place to relax and watch the people on the beach - Oh I mean watch the planes - both are interesting. A pretty packed agenda/schedule :-) first I have to get out of bed & out of the room, normally I can get this done by noon, if I rush 😀. Next, I walk around town just to see everything going on and watch all the people getting off the cruise ships although one day there was not any ships so pretty empty, and a lot of businesses did not even open that day. After that you I go to the beach and have enough beach time before happy hour (4:30-7:00) so I have to get to dinner before 7 can really rush my beach time. 😀 As you can see a pretty hectic schedule already and now, I have added a iced chai tea latte (as opposed to the hot latte at home) at The Coffee Lounge to my schedule, don't know how I fit it in, but I managed. Then I repeat all over again the next day, with real shake up on the days I get the bus to the other side of the island.  Bill at the Beach  My Beach Time No ships in today The Bad Bastard Bar was not even open, the owner was doing catch up on thing at the bar, set the chair up for me and even made me drinks, with no staff. The rest of the time he keep asking if the drink he made was better than the bartender (of course in front of the bartender 😂 )  My Beach Time 4 ships in today (both Good!) |
 View of Orient Bay from where I catch the bus So a short walk to the beach "Bus" (city buses are vans and only $2, what a deal) to the French side Orient Beach (or anywhere else on the island). Had a great day at the beach. Laid in my rented lounge chair then took a dip in the ocean and kept repeating for the day, with a break for lunch inside during a short rain storm. The little restaurant was very crowded, because everybody went inside during the rain. The staff was great. Pirate hideout it is where I rented the lounger and umbrella for the day. The bar tender said he makes the worst Pina Colada on the island, did I want another one 😀. It was interesting every Pina Colada he made for me all different - all good! Then one day I really mixed it up and had a "Fire in the Hole" their signature drink - Very Good! The first sip or two did kind of light you up - in a good way.  Fire in the Hole - signature drink at the Pirate hideout | ||
| Routine continued: Chai Tea Latte, Walk around, Beach time, Dinner. You would think it is boring, but I am very much enjoying the days... and relaxing! | ||
I did not tell the real reason I went to the Caribbean ( other than Boise's cold) it was on Doctor's orders, when I did my hernia surgery follow-up, he told me to go lay on a beach in the Caribbean, love this doctor, at least that is what I heard. But now that I think about it, it might have been start doing things but still take it easy, we'll as long as I re-thought this on my return not before I went. Note about after I returned On my return: I went to the doctor about my foot hurting, and she said nothing to worry about. I asked about skiing or running and she said "NO", and then said "You would be better off going back to the Caribbean and laying on the beach and putting ice on it and taking ibuprofen". I am beginning to love my doctors more and more, although I am thinking my medical insurance won't cover the trip 🙂 I would probably be taking her advice right now and booking airfare, if she had said anything about Pina Coladas or Rum Punches.Well back to the trip Started the day getting an iced tea chai latte at The Coffee Lounge again, when I came in a little boy 4 or so years old, came up to me gave my leg a big hug and told me he was going to see his grandma, the mom was kind of shocked, but was fine when she saw I as OK with it and just talking to the boy, he used a different word for grandma (oma in Dutch) The Mom explained she was coming from Holland to visit. We visited for a little while. Got my Chai to go so I could get back to Orient Beach again taking the local bus. View from "My" Coffee Shop - The Coffee Lounge When I got to Orient bay I got a croissant at the Good Morning French bakery that Debbie and I have eaten at several times in the past. I tipped with a Two Dollar bill, they were thrilled, Two Dollar bills are considered lucky in most countries around the world, it is like wishing them good luck on steroids.  Bill at a French Bakery having a Croissant. Very nice day at the beach, rained twice but once I was snorkeling, so did not really notice, the other time it was very windy and people were wrapping themselves in their towels to stay warm, I just got back in the water and was perfectly warm, came out when the little storm had passed. Rented a chair and umbrellas from Club Orient today. (Their tag line is: Nothing is Better) It was very good and interesting. A lady and I chatted for a while about how nice the whole place is and spending time in the warm weather in the winter. It was a very casual and relaxed conversion. The snorkeling was not very good, but it was fun, but did not see much, small fish, and a toilet that probably was the result of the hurricane. (Because Club Orient does not yet take credit cards) Went right next door to the Pirate hideout (where I had been two days before) for lunch and had a vegetarian curry soup - very good!!! When I ordered a pina colada, the bar tender again said it was the worst pina colada on the island - was that why I came back a second day for a second one 😁 just to be sure it was bad. I said it was worse than the one I had 2 days ago, all total I have had 4 of them just to be sure they are the worst pina coladas on the island. (They are very good) Pina Coladas have a maraschino cherry in them to I figure I am getting my fruit servings for the day, or at least try to convince my family and friends of that, not much success with that yet, but I will keep working on it. (It's like I tell everybody that I had to retire, because I was trying to convince everybody at the office that I was perfect and that seemed to be a long-termed failed project) The rest of the staff joined in with me harassing the bar tender, they were not very busy, slow day at the beach. I did not rent a lounger from them that day, but from the place next door, (Club Orient) for some good variety. It's always amazing to me they can remember what I ordered several days ago.  Orient Bay Beach View French people can be direct (sometimes people take this as being rude, but direct is good) - which is even worst when they are right. 😐 I went in and asked the Bar tenders at Club Orient Bay resort where the toilets were, they curtly informed me that a person should say "Hi" first before asking for something, wow are they right or what! Back in Philipsburg the next day The waitress at the Coffee Lounge, said how much they appreciated the review I did for them, and pointed out the Owner of the Coffee Lounge to me so I went and told she how good all their staff was and made my trip less difficult and I really appreciated that, she ask me why is was difficult and I said it was my first trip since my wife passed away. We chatted for a little while about how a good staff make a business. A couple of times I had to get my iced chai tea latte to go from the Coffee Lounge, because I am so busy getting to the beach on the French side 😎 I found out that French side is actually part of France (like a state) just like the island of Guadalupe. (A state like Hawaii is to the US not a territory like Puerto Rico). Saturday night there was music downtown until at least 2 am when I got up got to the bathroom, it did not keep me awake. But the receptionists at Alicia's Inn (Barbara) said she was there and even won the costume contest they had at the event. She said when I book again, I will have to tell them my name is Kool-Aid, because I am so Laid back that is what they call me. The Royal restaurant, tea, fruit and yogurt & Granola, they had a fruit bowl, which is unusual (probably would not sell to most tourists, very good), when I ordered it, she suggested also the yogurt and granola - it was very good, I guess she thought if I was ordering a fruit bowl, I would like another health option. When I got back to Philipsburg, from the other (French) side of the island. I walked by the Big Bastard's beach bar . that I have been renting beach chair from and spending most days, they said they missed me today, and that I was no longer a tourist but they considered me a local. I really enjoyed the staff at the Big Bastard Beach Bar, I think you can tell they are great and fun by this photo.  Already miss spending my days with these people They all were great, especially the owner (non-red shirt) and Jennie far right in the long pants. She said if she wore shorts then she gets a shorts tan and has to spend a lot of time at the beach to get rid of it :-) What a great crew! Below the Green House Restaurant  My view from the Green House Restaurant   Two more views at the Green House Happy hour I ate here about 8 times in my two weeks   Not much positive about dining Solo, except if you eat too much desert nobody notices. Unless you are an idiot and post the pictures online 😜 Greenhouse Restaurant for dinner again, it has a big menu and the staff is really friendly, besides it is the place on the island we had eaten on previous trips - so familiar. One day two couples asked if they could borrow one the chairs at my table, I had 4 and dining Solo and they only had 3. I offered to rent it to them, the one lady immediately (absolutely no hesitation) came back with "the check is already in the mail what else do you want!". I laughed and waved that they could take the chair. We chatted a few times during dinner. After dinner I still need some more steps for my minimum goal of 7,500 steps, so I was walking the boardwalk. Suddenly there was a man's voice behind me saying they were following me; it was the two couples from the restaurant. So, we chatted, they ask where I was headed, and I said I was just trying to get my steps in for the day. The other lady said oh you've done it now, as the lady (the one that said early about the check being in the mail) was already looking at her watch and saying OK I have 18,000 steps how many steps to you have, I had admitted I only had 13,000 for the day. The first lady said that her friend is obsessed with tracking her steps and I had to admit that I was also obsessed about tracking, so we continued to laugh until the end of the boardwalk where their hotel was, and we said good night. Stayed in town the next day, back to my normal routine. When I got to the Big Bastard today, I got a big hug from the waitress, which was great. She knows it is my first Solo Trip and has been really kind. After my Pina Colada, I really mixed it up and had a Rum Punch - wow can I make radical changes or what.  Tomorrow is my last full day, thought about extending, be I guess I have to leave sometime and the weather at home is getting a little warmer, in the 40's. Another day on the French side at Orient Bay. So nice to be able to go a short distance and be in a completely different culture and beach experience. The day snorkeling, renting a chair from Club Orient and having lunch at the Pirate hideout. Again. A great day - Again.   Before and After of a Crème Brulé I am in France, so I had to, Very Good! Not a lot of time between the two Photos  Fun Bright Yellow umbrellas at Club Orient. I stopped by the Big Bastard because I spent my final day at orient bay, so wanted to stop by and thank them and say good-bye. They told me I could not leave until they had got their clean-up done and could say good-bye properly. The owner told the bar tender to give me free drinks while I waited. I only had one to not take advantage of their hospitality. When they got all the beach chairs and umbrellas put away. The came over and gave me hugs (waitress and the owner), I asked about somewhere close because my foot was hurting and I did not want to walk very far (the Green House where I have been eating is clear at the end of the boardwalk), they suggested the Bold Buddha, which is right next door and owned by the same people that own the Coffee Lounge where I have been having my iced chai tea lattes in the morning. A very good chicken burger. And chocolate cake for dessert, I am not sure how many calories but probably the best chocolate ever - the layers of frosting were bigger than the layers of cake :-) The owner of the Big Bastard said it had more calories defiantly then the Pina Coladas he had been making for me for the last 2 weeks. The waitress and the owner from the Big Bastard came by to say good-bye again and give me more hugs. Drug store next to hotel which I bought things twice and talked to the cashier a very little bit. When I was walking past with my backpack, she came out and asked if I was leaving, and said she would miss seeing me. She acted like we were old friends, very nice.   Packed and ready to travel. When I left for the airport I am glad I left the hotel plenty early because we got stopped at a draw bridge while a dozen or so boats passed (a couple of huge yachts (that might be called a ships)) The Bus driver was trying to teach me creole while we waited "Bon Yeah" (SP) is - how are you in Creole, I think he even took a little different route to go right in front of the terminal. Because I have taken this route before and it did not get that close to the terminal building, a couple of blocks away. One of the other passengers asked to confirm he was on the right bus, because of the slight route change. What nice people!  I'm thinking I should watch my step at the airport. Random Thoughts I would talk to people as long as they continued to engage not if it was me doing all the talking. Which is hard as I am such a talker.Things heard while traveling. "My golf cart is really just a cooler on 4 wheels."Lady in a wheelchair at the airport to the attendant pushing her, "I just can't walk to my gate, but if we stop at a store I can walk around the store to shop." People complaining "But this is not like we do it in the US?" "Why doesn't anybody here speak English?" "Why is the menu not in English?" Travel should be all about experiencing different things. I always feel like telling these people maybe they should stay home. | ||
| Day #14 | Jan 31 Weekday | Flight Sint Maarten to San Juan PR: I was there plenty early about an hour and half for a small airport. Have been here enough that when I walk into the airport, I was totally familiar with it. Hour and 1/2 flight so very quickly to San Juan. I am just staying overnight so I am staying at the airport hotel, normally not the best value for your money be it is all about convenience and it was worth it. After I checked in to the San Juan Airport Hotel, I walked the whole San Juan Airport to get familiar with it, but also needed to get my steps for the day, even found some stair to go up and down.  At the Puerto Rico Airport   Like I needed a milk shake the way I have been eating, but it was very good. Bill on the Roof Top Terrace Got my dinner & drinks from the restaurant and they packed it to go as I wanted to eat on the terrace one floor up. I talked with a Canadian man while I ate. We had something in common, we both had a hurt foot. Although his as much worse than mine. We decided that the biggest reason we probably had hurt our feet was age :-). We also decided that politicians in both our counties need to learn how to work together and be civil to other people. So, we solved the problems of two counties in an hour or so. I got into the elevator with a young lady that looked so excited/bubbly that I thought she might explode. I said Hi and she immediately blurted out that she was on her way to start basic training in the army next week, very excited about it! I told her it looked like she would do great. Got a good night's sleep and up and going the next day, my foot feeling a little better. Flight to Houston with a little over a 6-hour layover. Walked the airport for my steps and went up and down some stairs I found. Then I found the Hard Rock Café in the airport. They were not that busy, so I asked if I could have lunch and stay for hours, not a problem, found a corner table with a power outlet and camped out. After having a great chicken burger. No milkshakes at this Hard Rock, well probably did not need it with the way I have been eating. I caught up with my finances, stock market (doing good, maybe I should have stayed longer in the Caribbean :-), and finally started to do serious work on this blog, had just been making some notes before so I would not forget things. I had been too "busy" laying on the beach for two weeks to do any of this stuff. 😉  Hard Rock Houston Airport Houston to Boise Flight: A smooth flight even after they said it might be rough at times. About 45 minutes out from Boise we had a medical emergency onboard - a young guy had a seizure, there was a firefighter walking by him and they immediately found a doctor and the flight attendant did a great job, let them know I was a first responder and could help if needed, but they had it all under control. The flight attendant did almost everything with help from the firefighter and doctor. She did a great job! Landed in Boise, Nick (son) picked me up, but he is the ground manager, so he stayed around until airport paramedics and airport firefighters were done and the guy was leaving the airport. House was cold (I had turned down the thermostat, need to get an online one before my next trip. We have always had a getting home routine: First Day Home: Rest Unpack Laundry Visit Family Relaxing to rest up from laying on the beach, Hot Chai Tea Latte's in front of the fireplace. (Changing from iced to hot Chai Tea Latte and fireplace instead of a beach) Second Day Home: Start research and planning of next trip - I am at this time thinking Mallorca in the Mediterranean - more beach with a little touring added in - time will tell.  Beach on Mallorca Well, my first Solo Trip is over, and it went way better than I expected! I believe there are Four main reason for that: 1. I think a beach trip was a good choice as the whole point is to relax and not do anything, which is what I needed. 2. I went somewhere I was very familiar with (I think this is my 6th time on the island) so I could easily book it (knew of multiple hotels and restaurants) and easy to find my way around. 3. People go out of their way to talk and socialize with Solo people on the Beach and Dining. All the places I went did a great job of looking after me. Especially the staff at the Big Bastard, which asked me every day how I was doing and giving me a hug. 4. I made a point to say "Hi" and be outwardly social (without intruding on people, especially young woman that are being friendly. Sometimes older men don't realize they are older men 😕 Taking a hug or conversation as it is intended as kindness not thinking it is romantic or they are into someone old enough to be their father (or grandfather). If you are still reading this far into it thanks for listen to my travel experiences! Cheers, Bill Until Next Time |
No comments:
Post a Comment