I whole heartedly agree with pat and her observations. we first visited back in 89....after visiting a bunch of the different islands and destinations including mexico and other carib islands. although we liked the other places when there...the only place we have gone back to...year after year...after year...is St. Martin. Yes, it has gotten more built up...but what hasn't. There is no island with as many choices of beaches....food...and overall night life. yes, there is more crime reports....but show me anywhere in the world that this is not the case. We have been visting our second home for three weeks annually ....and hope to remain doing that for many many years to come. As for Orient....we spent 17 out of our 21 days at Orient beach...and never once felt it was overcrowded...or a ''carnival'' like atmosphere. Mullett is a great beach...and so what if a few catamarans come and visit? the fun part is when they are there for their brief encounters, they come with free drinks...and will usually ''share'' with people on the beach. Grand Case has seen a big ''resurrection'' over the last couple of years...and it has become a much ''safer'' place to dine once again. Marigot, has become a ''ghost town'' at night, so we have stopped visiting there after sunset. The rules in SXM are easy...don't become a target....leave your valuable and showy jewelry at home. Getting all dressed up, and flashing money and jewelry will probably get you in some sort of trouble. why look for trouble???? We look forward to our time on SXM every year, and start to countdown the weeks as soon as we return. In fact....in 46 weeks, God willing, we will be back ''home''.