Our first trip was in 2003. I had researched the island and was intriguied with the idea of two countries splitting such a small island. I decided that we would rather stay on the French side rather than the Dutch. Registered for TTOL in January that year. We went in February.

We stayed at Alizea in Mount Vernon based upon recommendations we found online on TripAdvisor, TTOL, and other sites. Most of the recommendations were authored by 'Contessa'. We arrived on a Saturday and checked in and were told there was a party that night at the hotel. We went to dinner in Grand Case and when we returned, the party was in full swing. It was a TTOL party hosted by Contessa. It is there we met Contessa and Sword, LeeLee and Big Tom, Patti (Sungoddess) and others who we still are friends with today.

Photos from our trip are at: 2003 photos

We loved the island so much that on our next trip, we bought a condo at Les Balcons. We have been going to the island twice a year since then.