St. Martin electricity, etc

[pltrgyst]

We're headed to St. Martin from 16 to 29 December, our first visit. Does the
220vac service in St. Martin use the standard French two and three prong plugs?

Has anyone stayed at the Beach Plaza Hotel, and do you have any cautions or
recommendations?

Any recommendations for places to eat in Marigot? We generally have our larger
meal at lunch time, and a lighter meal at supper.

Thanks -- Larry

[pltrgyst]

Beware! You might find yourself on the beach at lunch time and you won't want to get up from your lounge. In some tropical locations noon tends
to be a time to kick back. After sunset things liven up. Don't be
alarmed if you break your routine and "go native".

Thanks for the suggestions, but not likely. We've spent a lot of time in Mexico
and other Latin American countries, just not much in the islands. And we're more
likely to play tennis in the morning, then walk or scooter around the island and
shop for a couple of hours, then kill the first half of the afternoon having
lunch, then hit the beach until sunset. Followed by a light supper and some
reading. We're not really night people at our advanced ages (61 and 53). 8

If you don't get many responses, just use your nose and eyes to pick out a place to eat. Does it smell inviting? Is there a healthy number of
people there? If they post a menu, does it fit your budget? Is the menu
intriguing but comprehensible? If so, then go ahead. I'm sure that's
what you do.

Yes, pretty much. We spend two or three weeks a year wandering around France and
other European countries without any set plans, and we're confirmed -- and
experienced -- foodies.

If you find that you've eaten more than you normally would, don't
panic. Find a club in the evening and go dancing! You're on vacation,
enjoy, indulge have fun!

Geez, Brian, you should be a combination travel agent and cheerleader!

-- Larry

[pltrgyst]

Then you really want to eat in Grand Case, up the road from Marigot. The places around the Marigot Marina Royale are decent French Bistros or
Brasseries. I've eaten at most of them but the real food is in Grand
Case but most of those restaurants don't serve lunch. You could eat for
several weeks in Grand Case and never repeat a restaurant.

Thanks. Yes, we are planning on a lot of meals in Grand Case. Didn't know that
many of the restaurants there are dinner only, though. That might make us
re-plan our daily schedules.

But you touched on exactly what I was hoping for -- a recommendation or two for
those brasseries in Marigot with the best confit, onglet and frites, etc.

-- Larry

[pltrgyst]

Larry
Found your hotel, is on the road going south out of Marigot. It is the 220
volt on the French side, can not remember if our friends with a house on the
other coast use 2 or 3 plugs. Remember they had a large converter for their
110volt computers etc.

Thanks again. I found a book today that was pretty specific -- it said the
French side uses the standard French two-pin plug, but with a safety mechanism
added. This feature requires equal pressure on both pins before either can be
inserted. I haven't seen anything like that in Europe before.

Everything we travel with, oncluding the computer, runs on 110-240, so the plug
is my only concern. Actually, I have a French outlet strip that I usually carry
along -- that is what I really wanted to make sure has the correct plug.

If you want to buy in Marigot where the locals shop, (instead of tourist
prices) there is a shop called Forum, about two blocks south of the main
east west road and about two blocks in from the ocean. North of the post
office. Perfume very cheap, clothing and just about everything else.
We are back to our suite on the east side of the island, Pointe Blanche,
Dutch side. We arrive on the the 16th. Might see you there, might work out a
guided tour around the island. Minor snorkelling at Isla Pinel and Orient
beach.

Thanks again for the tips.

-- Larry