Well, let me begin by thanking you all for the helpful advice we received on this forum before our trip... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
We left Wednesday, April 28th and only had 5 nights to spend in paradise (AKA SXM)...so when we made it to San Juan from Orlando with no problems, we were both beginning to get excited and unwind...However, when our boarding time came and went, and we began hearing announcements about the plane having mechanical troubles, and having to stay overnight in San Juan, I was not a happy person...Then, add the fact that we had to be back at the airport at 6:30 A.M. (YES, my first day of vacation, and I had to be up at 5A.M.!!!!!) The airline did put us up in San Juan at the lovely San Juan Beach Hotel (and here's a hint...DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT cancel your reservations to stay there!!) and pay for our meals, it really got the trip off to a bad start...Especially when we got to the room to discover that ours beds were being used to dry the hotel's curtains and the room was freezing, so when we finally did go to sleep, the beds were wet and freezing...We had a horrible drink with dinner and laughed about the night, hoping it would get better... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />
Thursday...and I'm up earlier than I even have to get up at home (and regardless of what Don will say, I was even pleasant...<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Crazy.gif" alt="" />), only to get to the airport, wait for boarding, and once again find out the plane is delayed...We wait, watch several people get very upset...and finally they say we can board...They put us all on the shuttle, take us to the plane, we wait a while longer and let us board...And we wait some more...Then comes the announcement...Sorry, there's now a sticky switch in the cockpit...Please deplane...I begin to wonder if we'll ever make it to SXM... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />
We go back to the gate and wait some more...Lots of people getting very irate...and finally, we go through the boarding process again...Sit and wait for a while...And, amazingly, WE TAKE OFF!!!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />
We didn't reach SXM until around noon, and AAA was supposed to meet us at our hotel at 11 to get our rental car...We couldn' even call them due to the whole boarding/unboarding fiasco, so we figure they were upset about us not meeting them and we could forget having a car... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />
So, we catch a cab to the Alamanda...and everyone was amazing when we got there...Friendly staff, took great care of us, beautiful room...And when we mentioned the car, Geraldine smiled and handed us the keys, and said someone would come by later to take care of the paperwork!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Never, ever would that have happened here! They were just incredible!
We checked in, and took a walk down to Baywatch for a late lunch...Met Andy and Cheryl, and congratulated them on their wedding...Wonderful people...Walked the beach and finally relaxed...For dinner, we went to Grand Case and finally settled on L'Escapade...simply AMAZING!!! Especially the creme brulee... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
Friday was spent at Phillipsburg watching the Carnival parade...So much fun, but wow did it seem to go on forever!! Dinner in Marigot at one of the outdoor BBQ places. It was good but the service was awful...At one point we watched the waitress have a screaming match with one of the customers and then watched her and the other employees laugh about it in front of everyone...That kind of spoiled the atmosphere..<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Argue.gif" alt="" />
Saturday was the outdoor market in Marigot..Lots of fun...And then we decided to stop in and see if Steve and Deb & the Oregon Crowd were around at the Ocean Club...They were, so we hung around, laughed alot and had lunch with them and were introduced to our new good friend, Mr. Rum Jumbie... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />
Dinner was Peg Leg's Pub, where the food was great and Shawn was lots of fun...(As yes, he's still available for the mere price of $126,000 LOL)... Then we hung out by the pool and got more acquainted with our new best friend, Rum Jumbie... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />
Sunday was for exploring...Went to Sunset Beach Bar, Maho, and ended up at Friar's Bay and decided to check out Happy Beach...Not a bad walk once you get up the hill...Several people there but still gorgeous...Dinner was La Romance in Grand Case...Good food and service, but liked L'Escapade better...
Monday...Time to go home...<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> Luckily the trip back was uneventful and Customs was a breeze...Why couldnt' we have been delayed LEAVING not ARRIVING??? LOL
Overall an amazing trip...We will definitely be back... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />
Rox and Don
P.S. Tip for all you other newbies...Just relax, have Rum Jumbie and a Guavaberry Colada, and have fun!! Don't make lots of plans, just enjoy the island!
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