The following will be a quick synopsis of our trip so far.

This is i think our 30th or 31st trip to the island. As i posted earlier, we were one of the first reservations booked as soon as the flights were finally opened up from Fort Lauderdale to SXM direct. I do have to say,...it was GREAT. Left right on time from FLL, and within a short 2.5 hours we arrived back ''home'', after a two year absence thanks to that b/tch Irma. We were pleasanty surprised after landing, that the new ramp brought to the plane for deplaning was a ramp instead of stairs. My knees appreciated it a lot. Then bused to a corner of the airport to go through immigration...which took less than ten minutes...and i think for the first time in many years, our luggage came out within three to five minutes. Quickest through the ''airport'' ever. It is very sad to see the ''new'' airport in its current condition...but nice to see people working on it. Hopefully it will get back to full use soon. Picked up our car at AAA, and it is always a pleasure to be greeted by Myra and got to catch up a bit. Then off to LaPlage, and was there by 11: luckily, our unit was ready when we arrived, so were able to get into it quicker than expected....changed...and off to the pool and beach right at Maho. Had lunch at the new tortuga....but honestly, the food was okay...but not like the old place was. It is much more ''sterile" looking like ever, and I think the new managers of the place...the same people that run 3 amigos, are making a big mistake by taking off a lot of the lunch staples that was always offered by previous owners. Tortuga is NOT a gourmet restaruant, and having 30 dollar steak dinners for lunch is probably crazy there. food was good though.....and off to the beach and pool. Every year, seeing all our regular RI family is heartwarming. Irma surely didn't change that. The building is in excellent shape, all repainted...and fixed up. New furniture in the lobby and all rooms effected by the storm. All the units do have new air conditioners, and they are much more effective than ever. They are even in Farenheit degrees, so much easier to control for us that don't have a clue about celcius. Maho beach is wonderful so far....plenty of sand.....gentle waves.....and bluer than ever. Hat's off to the entire maintenance crew for bringing the building back to much better than it has been in years. Also, the grounds are spectacular. As for the Sonesta....it has opened with a ''soft'' opening, mostly complete, but some work still being finished. It is totally amazing to see how quickly that building came together. Only thing that totally pissed us off, we went over to the Sonesta to look around, like we always did since it being right next door...and at one time all owners at LaPlage had full use of all the amenities there. There were three of us checking out the grounds, and all of a sudden a security person came over to us, and politely asked us to leave, since NO ONE THAT IS NOT STAYING AT THE HOTEL are welcome. We left, but chances are, as beautiful as it is.....with that attitude we will NEVER EVER stay there again, as we used to when we would come in early or later to our timeshare. Not the right way to impress people. Some of Maho village looks like it was never touched.....but then you see the remains of Pizza Pasta, and the building....and of course the empty area of Cheri's. Honestly, I do miss Pizza Pasta BIGTIME....but don't miss Cheri's. The vibe without it though, is pretty evident. We did eat at LaRosa for our first meal....It is now larger and fully remodelled thanks to Irma. Food was FANTASTIC. As good as ever.

The casino is up and running, totally remodelled, and looks great. They are having a big world wide poker tourney this weekend, so they do expect a lot of people coming in to play. Time will tell. It is much quieter in the village, and even at our timeshare. I guess a lot of people still didn't think the island was back yet. Their loss.

Yesterday we spent the day at Orient.The beach itself is beautiful as ever, the water perfect....but so sad to see the damage still left. As reported, the area that the restaurants were in is all fenced off....and so sad to see the area so underdeveloped. First time I ever was in SXM, without at least Pedro's up and runnning. To think of all the unemployment just from that fenced in area is heartbreaking, and thinking off all the families that have been out of work now for the last 18 months. Talking to the locals is also heart wrenching. Each story even more dramatic than the one before it. We parked ourselves at Kon Tiki, and through it all had a wonderful day...although a bit more expensive than we ever had before. One thing Irma could not erase was that beautiful view, that i have come to love for all these years....the same view that i go to when i think of my ''happy place''.

So far for dinners....Saturday night was LaRosa, as i mentioned. Sunday night was a smoked platter from Fat Tony's. Absolutely delicious. Monday night filled my duck craving from Chesterfields, and once again was not dissapointed at all. Chesterfield's sustained a lot of damage, and interior has been redone and expanded. The inside was remodelled to resemble the old look, but all new stuff on the walls....and the outside area is all brand new, better lit, tiled floor and beautiful. and tonight was my brisket craving from Topper's. Again, as good as ever. We did spend the day right here at our own beach, and it was great. Sand gravity better not settle in this fast....we still have 2.5 weeks to go.

Driving around the island, there still is plenty of damage seen, but honestly not as bad as i thought it was going to be. Boats sticking out of the lagoon, including the icon Pink Iguana. and the one thing that i didnt see reported in previous trip reports is the condition of the three large pelicans by the airport. One has its wing totally ripped off, and another with a few holes blown in it. If you remember a few years ago, when the birds were installed, there was a hole hullaballoo about the money that was spent on them. I guess they weren't constructed with a Cat 5 hurricane in mind.

All in all, the island is back....just won't be back to the old normal for the foreseeable future, but am so glad to see the progress being made. If someone is thinking of waiting to come back....don't hesitate in making those reservations. The island is as welcoming as ever, the people as friendly as ever, and paradise awaits immediately. Will post more as days go by.