We got back late Saturday. Weather was GREAT. Here are some updates:<br><br>ISLAND UPDATE <br><br>1. AIRPORT: Excellent security. Air conditioning is still under-performing. Immigration was fully staffed and fast. New control tower under construction is high on a hill just west (NW) of the main complex. Caribbean Star is now flying into SXM. American is going to sell Executive Airlines, which operates American Eagle in the Caribbean. Don’t worry; Executive will continue to fly booked passengers to feed American, as Eagle did. Switchover is about two months away. If you have questions, ask American or your travel agent. This change should be all but invisible in terms of service.<br><br>2. BEACHES: Orient is fairly eroded, but that’s not unusual this time of year. Will be back….<br><br>3. RESTAURANTS: We will update the site in a couple of weeks. If you haven't tried Bombay Brasserie in GC (opposite Chez Martine), add it to your list even if you have never had Indian food. Dietary restrictions are no problem. Also try Peg Leg Pub in Simpson Bay near Scoops and Domino’s. Great English-pub like atmosphere, lots of nautical stuff, and a STEAK HOUSE is coming. Chez Martine has changed ownership…we cannot vouch for the current owner’s skills, and will update the site accordingly. <br><br>4. THE BRIDGE: Work is well underway, no notable effect on traffic. Still two lanes open during construction. <br><br>5. MARKETS: Ram's is open on the Union Road (formerly Food Center). Not impressed. Prices are high and the renovations don't show. Wines seem overpriced. Cost-U-Less is better for everything including wines. Le Grande Marche opened yesterday after we left – it’s the new market where the old Food Center was on Bush Road (near the roundabout.) <br><br>5a. VILLAGE BAKER has closed but another bakery has opened near “Jake’s” in Simpson Bay. More news coming. Hearing good reports about this new bakery. Sorry to see Village Baker go…<br><br>6. ROADS: Great shape. New road is opening soon from atop Cay Hill to Med Center area (enables short cut to east side of downtown P-Burg). Watch for a new roundabout on the Hill.<br><br>7. CRIME: Avoid Pic Paradis -- more incidents there. We’ll get a note about it on our site shortly. Also see
www.jmbcommunications.com/safety.html. Dutch side is doing a great job on crime; they arrested the people who had held up several casinos lately. French side – poor police reaction to crime reports, BUT both sides of the island ARE working together better to get crooks who high-tail it across the border. If you park in the lot at Marina Royale, park close to where you're going and avoid people who look like parking attendants -- there aren't any. Avoid flashy jewelry in Marina Royale. Again...Dutch side is doing much better at this point at combating crime. <br><br>Jeff<br><br>P. S. Traveltalkers...some of this is old hat to you. I put it all here for the benefit of those who aren't on this site regularly or who aren't on my mailing list.
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