While there was anxiety about the testing process, it actually went smoothly for me. My 120th hour occurred on Labor Day. However, I found an urgent-care clinic open 24/7 that did testing. My appointment was at 2:30 p.m. Monday. My results arrived at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. I uploaded test results and vaccination card copy by 1:30 a.m. and went to bed. When I got up Wednesday, I noted the pre-approval had arrived at 4:30 a.m. These are all PDT times. Good to go!

Friday, June 4

Friday night finally arrived. While waiting for my Uber driver, I listened to the live music from my next-door neighbor’s party. I would have liked to attend, but SXM was calling. This would be my first flight in a year and a half, and I was ready!

When I checked my bags, the American ticket agent asked for my pre-approval form; I wasn’t asked for it again until arriving in SXM. My first leg was a redeye from PDX to CTL. Sleeping on a plane is something I’ve never been able to do, unfortunately. The gate for my flight to SXM was two terminals away; CTL has neither a sky train nor carts with drivers, at least in these COVID times. The AA Admirals’ Lounge was in the terminal of my departure so I dropped in. Before pulling out the credit card, I asked if, by chance, fees were waived for those traveling first class. I was pleasantly surprised to learn they ARE waived for first-class passengers traveling to the Caribbean. Thank you, American! I was able to pass a couple of hours in pleasant surroundings and get breakfast to boot!

As has been reported elsewhere, there were seven American jets arriving within forty minutes of each other. From what I could tell, I was on the second one. Still, the line was horrendously long; it looked to be the length of about four city blocks. It went fairly quickly, however, and was about fifteen minutes to the health check and another fifteen minutes to C&I. As I proceeded to baggage claim, I noted that they were just starting to send bags from my flight. The bright orange “priority” stickers worked this time, and my bags were some of the first out.

Leisure was waiting for me outside the terminal, and off we went to their office for the short paperwork process. Then it was off to Divi! Check-in isn’t until 4:00 p.m., and it was about 2:30 p.m. So I dropped off my bags with a bellman and headed to Tech Hub to get “wi-fi everywhere” (my terminology, not theirs) added to my phone for a month. I had already switched SIM cards in the plane. Back to Divi, where my room still wasn’t ready so I sat drinking in this view.



Finally I could check in. There was barely time to shower and change before heading out to The Palms to join friends for happy hour. So lovely to be able to exchange hugs again! I had dinner there and headed back to Divi to crash

Sunday, June 6

Morning came too soon, and I was still exhausted. Went to Pure Ocean at Divi for breakfast, which was unexceptional, but the view is nice.



I thought Carrefour closed at 2 p.m. on Sundays but checked their website, which said 6 p.m. So I dawdled around on my deck and organized my room a little more, then headed out for groceries mid-afternoon, only to find Carrefour was closed. So I headed to Market Garden. Shopping there isn’t nearly as pleasant as at Carrefour, but I picked up most of the essentials I needed. Back to Divi to unpack.

Desiring a low-key dinner, I went to White Swan; this was a first for me. The Peking Duck had been highly recommended, and it did not disappoint. Served with “pancakes” and shredded green onion and cucumber, it was delicious. The lights at night from my deck are quite pretty.



Monday, June 7

After breakfast in the room, it was off to Philipsburg for errands. The mechanical system at the paid parking lot wasn’t working, so parking was free. I dropped off jewelry at DKGems for cleaning and met Deepti for the first time. Turns out she and her family were at White Swan the night before. She said she almost came over to say hello; I hadn’t noticed her, unfortunately.

Lunch at The French Touch was as pleasant as always; I had a nice quiche which came with salad. Jean-Pierre acknowledge that he had seen me before but thought I was a woman whose ex-husband was named Sol. Nope. Back to Divi for the afternoon.



It was raining cats and dogs as I was heading to my car for dinner. I changed plans and decided to go where I could park close to the entrance since I was sopping wet; Chesterfields was the choice.



I had French onion soup, which was more cheese than onions, and the coconut shrimp appetizer. Fortunately, the rain had stopped by the time I returned to Divi.

Tuesday, June 8

Anse Marcel day! I had made reservations on the beach club’s web site a few days earlier, but they appeared to be unaware of the reservation. I thought they were going to turn us away, but a friend started speaking a little French, which saved the day. The weather was overcast for most of the day. The water was a little cooler than usual, and there were more boats in the bay than I’ve ever seen before, but it was still a lovely experience.



Although I hadn’t reserved it, we were given a cabana for lunch; that French speaking obviously did the trick! I wasn’t as impressed with their menu this time around. Lunch for me was pigs’ knuckles, a first; very rich, and I probably won’t order that again.

There were a few people on chairs in front of Secrets, but it didn’t look very busy. I did not go over to see the state of the construction.

I was invited to join a group of about 17 for dinner at Jai, a restaurant in Simpson Bay serving Indian fusion. My appetizer was lamb samosas; I didn’t particularly enjoy the shredded lamb, but others loved it. My entrée, however, was outstanding: crusted cod in a divine sauce. It was a pleasant evening and was nice seeing everyone again.



Wednesday, June 9

It was a Divi Day, spent at the Infinity Pool. Very relaxing.



I met friends for dinner at Sale and Pepe; Lesley Bruce and family were also there celebrating his birthday. My entrée was shrimp risotto; it was okay but not outstanding.

Thursday, June 10

Time for sailing! Met friends at the Yacht Club for breakfast and then proceeded to the dock at Nowhere Special to be taken via dinghy to No1SXM for a half-day sail.



The morning was lovely and sunny, and the sailing was delightful; it was wonderful seeing Pieter and Mirian again after over a year and a half. Captain Pieter was looking for a location with calm water so we could swim and snorkel and decided on Baie Longue in front of LaSamanna. The water was refreshing, and a good time was had by all. Back on the boat for lunch, followed by a return to Simpson Bay. That’s when the heavens opened up, and most of us got drenched as there isn’t a lot of covered space on the boat.



Tnw2007 on this forum and his wife have been married for 45 years. He planned an anniversary dinner for her and surprised her by inviting a few friends. I was honored to be invited to join them. A couple of people had to cancel, but it was a lovely evening at IZI. The other person was their long-time jeweler who is a broker and says he provides gems to most of the stores on Front Street as well as Maho.



Friday, June 11

I was supposed to go on a sail on Spellbound today but sailing two days in a row seemed exhausting, plus I got burned yesterday and felt more sun wasn’t appropriate. I was planning on breakfast in my room, but all of a sudden, no water at Divi, and it wasn’t expected back on until 10:30 a.m. So I headed to Reveil Matin for breakfast, located in the Top Carrot area. I’m told the owners are from Danny’s by the Sea. They were doing a brisk business; portions were huge!

I then embarked on a round-the-island drive to see what had changed in the 17 months since I was last here. This is the monstrosity in Cupecoy.



The mural by Dany’s in Cupecoy




Marigot harbor



Friar’s Bay



Le Galion



And impending nasty weather back at Divi



I think I am at my picture limit for a post so . . . more later.