St Maarten: Mussels @ Mark's Place

Saturday started early…so early as we needed to get to the airport and get Matt and I checked in as I stalled the group with my lack of “smartphone” and couldn’t check-in in advance. The flight from Atlanta to St. Maarten was only improved because of the ability to access movies on the personal screens.  

Upon arriving, we felt the sun and saw the beach and it was nice to see the familiarity. We got a cab and headed off to the resort. The best part about getting there was seeing the waves tickle the beach and Michele and I headed out there with a rum punch in my hand.

Lunch had been on the plane but it was supper that really kicked off the weak of amazing food. Mark’s Place. Now this was a place that we kicked ourselves for not trying last year and planned to rectify it immediately. We went with the specials on their moving board. Had to start off with a few appetizers. We ordered crab cakes, crab bites, and mozzarella sticks. They were the perfect size. Just big enough to have a sample but not fill up on. Randy and Matt went with the ribs, all you can eat. And they tried. I had the pan fried grouper with a perfect crust. But Michele’s pot of steamed mussels is what made her week. Not only were the mussels wonderful, the broth amazing, but the pot was ginormous. She kept pulling more and more out, I was beginning to think it would never end. And then when it did, she grabbed the spoon and enjoyed the soup! We also started a trend that would follow us the rest of the week, Presidente Beer AKA Randy’s choice of Caribbean beer. 

Time: 6:03AM Eastern Time
Location: Holiday Inn, Atlanta

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

From the other side of the door: ARE YOU GUYS AWAKE!!!??!!!

ALR from the shower: Who was that?

MJR: (sighs) My parents, it’s like Christmas.

Time: 3:35PM
Location: Divi Little Bay, St. Maarten

Randy (Looking at MJR and ALR and then down at his jeans): We should have worn shorts.

Approximate temperature: 85

Day 2