From: paul.graveline@travel.com (Paul Graveline)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: CARIBBEAN TRAVEL ROUNDUP8
Date: 29 Sep 92 14:26:00 GMT
Reply-To: paul.graveline@travel.com (Paul Graveline)
Organization: Travel Online / St. Louis Online - St. Louis, MO

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Franklin  D  Resorts  (FDR) is just west of the Nude beach of Jam Jam.  
FDR  does  not  have  a nude beach as it is family orientated. A guard  
limits  access  from  FDR  but  their  guests  can  cross  the Jam Jam  
property to get to another beach property east of Jam Jam. 
 
FDR  is next to Jam-Jam and is separated by a fence and a guard shack.  
FDR  customers can walk along the high water line but were not allowed  
to  use the Nude Beach. FDR has a VERY VERY limited beach area between  
two  piers  jutting out into the ocean. They also have a small (5 to 6  
beach chair) area next to >> the Jam-Jam nude beach. 
 
Golf  is  available  on the Jam Jam Course across the road. A visiting  
pro is available for lessons. A tennis pro helps those players too 
 
Jamaica 
------ 
Have  you  driven  a  Party lately? Well you probably have driven to a  
party  but if things go as planned for the Serve Well Corp. of Jamaica  
next  spring  visitors  to  that  island  may  be driving a Party. The  
company  is  planning  to produce a locally made automobile called the  
Party.  It  will  mainly  be  designed  as  vehicle to serve local car  
rental  agencies  with  a  price  tag of around $7000. Since duties on  
imported  vehicles  in  Jamaica run from 80-230% this car has a chance  
of  catching  on.  In  fact,  as  Jamaica  has  free  trade with other  
Caribbean  islands,  it  might  even  be  exported!  The  car  will be  
constructed  of  a  fiberglass  body  and  two other vehicle types are  
planned one of which is a truck. 
 
St. Martin by Paul Watson 
------------------------- 
We  returned in early September following two weeks on St. Martin. The  
weather  was  beautiful  even  when  it  was  a bit cloudy the sun was  
searing (just the way we like it--SPF 25 weather!). 
 
We  stayed  at  the  La Belle Creole for half the time and at the Anse  
Margot  for  the  rest. Because of the low occupancy rate this time of  
year  the  LBC  is  allowing upgrades to better rooms and suites for a  
slightly   higher  rate.  By  the  way,  the  "continental"  breakfast  
included  with  the  room  rate  at  the LBC is quite substantial with  
cereals,  juices,  yogurts,  bagels,  toast,  pastries,  fresh fruits,  
coffee,  tea,  and  more.  The  manager's  reception  was a fun affair  
complete  with hermit crab races that guests could gamble on using fun  
$$ provided by the hotel. An auction of some small items followed.  
 
We  rented  a  new  Toyota from Claude Arnell, who delivered it to our  
hotel  within  minutes  of our arrival (rate of about $21 per day). We  
spent  most  of  our  beach time at Cupecoy and Orient beaches. We did  
some  jet  skiing  at Orient, and circled around Pinel Island--lots of  
fun.  Also visited Dawn beach one day and Bay Rouge a couple of times.  
Disappointing  was  all the development around Cupecoy. A wall has now  
been  built  making  it more difficult to get to the north side of the  
beach  (not to mention finding parking). The beach vendor has put up a  
make-shift  ladder  to  get over the wall. Also, the middle of Cupecoy  
beach  is  washed  away  this time of year so it is impossible to walk  
around the point between the north and south ends of the beach.  
 
We  ate  at  our  favorite  place  in Marigot, Cafe Plaisance, several  
times.  For  dessert  definitely  recommend  the  profiteroles (if you  
don't  know  what  they  are  you  are  missing  out  on one of life's  
pleasures!)  and also ate at Cheri's in Maho several times (another of  
our  favorites). We tried the Paradise Cafe in Maho for the first time  
and  would highly recommend it. They have a wide variety of menu items  
including   excellent   Mexican   food.   We'd   planned  to  try  the  
Passangrahan  in Philipsburg, but they are closed through Sept. 30 and  
ended  up  eating  that  night at the Admiral's Quarters, which wasn't  
that  great.  Only  a few of the places at Grand Case were open due to  
the  season.  We  had  some  great ribs and chicken at the Talk of the  
Town  Tavern  (shack!)  overlooking  the bay. One evening at Orient we  
ate  at  Papagayo.  We  loved the staff but the food was not up to par  
(they  even  admitted  it).  Think  I'll  stick to lunches down at the  
Kontiki.  Final  topic, bugs...not too bad this trip. We swear by Avon  
Skin  so  Soft--works  better  than mosquito milk--I conducted a test!  
Can't wait to get back. 
 
Turks and Caicos Club Med by Richard Potenza 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
  Travel  literature  refers  to  the  Turk  and Caicos islands as the  
"Secret of the Caribbean" or "The Isles of June."  
 
These  islands were first inhabited by the Araawak Indians and visited  
by  Columbus during his first voyage to the Americas. In addition they  
were  used  as  a  staging  area and stronghold for pirates during the  
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.  
 
Today  the Turk and Caicos Islands are a British Crown Colony covering  
an  area  of 166 square miles consisting of 30 small islands and cays.  
Eight  islands  make  up  the  majority  of  land  area;  Grand  Turk,  
Providencials  (Provo),  Salt  Cay, South and North Cay, Middle Caicos  
and  East  and  West  Caicos that are still uninhabited. Grand Turk is  
the  seat  of  government  for  the Commonwealth but Provo remains the  
visitors'  island of choice, with a burgeoning tourist infrastructure.  
Don't  get  me  wrong.  I am not talking of row after row of high rise  
mega  hotels  or  resorts  like  that  of  Miami or Waikiki Beach. The  
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