Yes, it's a bit tiring but I wouldn't trade my St. Martin experiences for anything. Hope that this report will help some people stick to their plans and still follow through with their visits. Yes, the coronavirus thing is a deep concern, by I'm still not aware of any positive cases on either side of the island. If it stays that way, then keeping your travel plans in place is what I would recommend. My wife and I had a great time so here goes with my report ....

DAY ONE thru DAY FOUR -- FRENCH ST. MARTIN

Jet Blue flights from Buffalo to JFK, and then onto St. Martin were super smooth and on time. In fact, we landed last Tuesday a full half hour ahead of schedule (4:00 instead of 4:30). Landing on SXM, it is still the same routine with loading onto the buses and taken to customs and immigration. Lines were almost non-existent, and we were thru in less than 20 minutes. Didn't rent a car at this time, because our destination was Orient Village and the Palm Court motel. Took a taxi and there were no travel problems, roadblocks, runaway scooters, etc. Tried staying here three years ago, but those plans got washed away by the hurricane so this was now our chance to experience this boutique hotel with it's great location near Orient Beach.

Taxi cost $35, and the trip was reasonable. Tons of traffic coming in from Marigot and places north, by only moderate traffic going away from the Maho area in that direction. Anne, the hotel manager at Palm Court, greeted us and showed us around before escorting us to our room on the second floor. There is no elevator at Palm Court, so it is wise to insist on a first floor room if stairs are an issue. For my wife and I they are not, but it was totally no fun lugging up her giant red suitcase to our second floor suite (but I got it there). Our room was exceptionally nice, with the usual hard wood floors, a deck that overlooks the pool and breakfast area, a kitchenette, and a king size bed. We were hot and tired from traveling, but the water isles in the Orient Bay area forced us to postpone grabbing showers until after 5:00 p.m. (when the water got switched back on). We then had water for about three hours, before it was shut off again ... a real annoyance. But, we didn't plan to hang around the motel and we were given bottles of drinking water at no charge along with jugs of water to dump manually into the toilets to keep them working. Strange, but it was effective.

Dinner the first night was at Le Piment, a restaurant we've been trying to get to for a long time. Overall, the experience was outstanding. The staff there is very accommodating, and even though we had reservations we watched as they did their best to fit in others who strolled up without reservations. The lovely, french waitresses working here really elevate this place to a high level. Super friendly and always ready to please, Sara and Salome made our evening dining experience a memorable one. The menu has the usual selections that you'll find at a french restaurant with various beef and duck entrees, but they also offered extensive pizza selections similar to what you would find in those cafes around Rome and Florence. We decided to go full bore on our first evening, so you can spend as much as you desire at this place. When you get the check, the prices are carefully laid out in both euros and dollars, and of course the 4 percent tax has been added in (but no service charge or gratuity).

We then walked around visiting the various vendors who had set up tables in the square before heading over to Yellow Sub for a drink. First night's sleep at Palm Court was quite restful, though the air conditioning unit was a bit noisy. No big deal.

Each morning from 7 to 10 Palm Court serves a continental breakfast that includes toast, fruit, croissants, french bread, etc. Additional charges apply if you want an omelette or eggs & sausage, pancakes, or other cooked items. Staying at Palm Court provides free beach chairs and an umbrella on Bikini Beach, but not in the first row. Nor is a drink provided, but beach towels are supplied by the hotel.

After breakfast we spent each day on Orient Beach soaking up the rays, walking the beach, and doing some reading. The following beach bars and restaurants from north to south are up-and-running starting with Coco Beach and their beige colored umbrellas directly in front of Esmeralda. The staff told me they opened on Monday, and there layout was impressive. Moving from top to bottom, next was KKO (Blue) which was there a year ago, then La Playa with their white and aqua blue colors, followed by Bikini Beach in light green. Most of the gaps that existed previously have been filled-in nicely, and that was refreshing to see. Past Bikini going south you'll then come to Wai Plage and there autumn like colors (yellow, red, and orange umbrellas), and of course Kontiki (dark red). But, as you walk further south some old familiar beach bars have returned or are in the process of returning. Le String, Sun Beach Clubber, Chez Leandra, and one or two others have re-appeared bringing back old memories when those places were in high gear prior to Irma. Tried to talk to staff at each of these places, and the message was the same: we're glad you guys are back!

Still no Pedro's (heard that he's in a hospital in Guadaloupe), but the Club Orient Beach was going strong (especially on Friday). Staying up at Bikini was a bit inconvenient, because you have to wear your suit down past the rocks before removing it and having to hold it as you walk along the clothing optional beach and then take a dip. Cedrick and the Perch Bar & Grill were going strong, too. Happy Hour features 2-for-1 drinks from 1:30 to 2:30, and the prices can't be beat. Just be prepared to stand in line if only one bartender in working. We walked over and had lunch at the Perch the one afternoon and we both ordered the cheeseburger platters. Not sure what changed between this year and last, but the burgers this year were the best yet by a wide margin. They're using a much better bun this year, and the burgers were jucier than I can ever remember. And, the value presented at the Perch is outstanding. Two cheeseburger platters and two drinks cost just $26 USD, and dollars and euros are valued here at the same level. Compare that price to 39 euros at Bikini for the same exact items and it's a no brainer to take the walk to the Perch and support them. Can't recommend this enough.

Dinner the second night was at an old favorite, Yellow Sub. Things are always little hectic over there, but my wife ordered the beef skewer and it looked like it was served on a sword! Huge chunks of steak with grilled veggies in between, and enough food to be shared by two. Wish I would have taken a photo of it, but I don't take my cell phone on vacation -- ever. On our third evening we returned to Le Piment for pizza, and it was very good (sort of New York style, but with good size and flavor). Pizza price yes were reasonable at 13 euros (the essentially same pizza costs 32 euros at Sa Trinxa on Ibiza, Spain). Of course, with such a low price dessert was in order and I always long for those little chocolate cakes filled with hot fudge and the scoop of vanilla ice cream that comes with it. Once again, the service was outstanding at Le Piment and the staff was exceptional.

On our last night on the french side we had reservations at L'Astrolabe in the Esmeralda resort complex and it, too was very good (though a bit pricey). For 49 euros per person, you can select a three course meal (appetizer, main entree, and dessert). But, be aware that some items are not included in that combination price and an additional 12 euros will be applied for higher ticket items. I got the caesar salad (I know, boring), an amazing filet, and an awesome raspberry dessert for that price that otherwise would have cost 6 euros more. L'Astrolabe is definitely worth the walk, especially if celebrating a special occasion or anniversary.

That's enough for now. I'll add to this report tomorrow and include our transfer to the dutch side, the end of the Heineken Regatta, and more outstanding dining at some familiar old places.