So, wrapping up the trip report with some odds and ends.

CAR RENTAL As we do most of the time lately, we rented through Alain Arnell at AAA. Their location is very convenient for us, being on the road to Beachside. We had reserved a Corolla type vehicle. They were low on cars, so offered us either a full sized vehicle or a Kia Picante. Not being wild about driving and parking a full sized car on SXM (and with it being just the two of us), we opted for the Picante. I was a bit concerned that it wouldn’t do well on the hills, but we never had a problem with it, and the a/c was BANGIN’. No complaints.



WHAT’S CHANGED AT BEACHSIDE VILLAS? Thankfully, not much. Beachside has what we need in order to rest and relax and rejuvenate. We come for the OCEAN, and there is no place on the island where we feel more in touch with the ocean, than at BSV.


The sand has been very wide the past few years, and this time it was even wider when we left than when we arrived.



This time we were in #13, but there is very little difference between any of the units.



We often spend at least half of our time on island at the unit, just hanging out on the porch, or watching the planes, or spending time at the pool. We have everything we need right there, with the comfy living room




The porch and grill



And the bedroom



Normally we spend our days with the front and back doors wide open, letting the ocean air, sights and sounds flow right through the unit. A few years ago, they took out the open air atrium in the middle of the units, and put in a/c units in the living room. This time we did have the doors closed and the a/c on in the main area, much more often than normal, because of how hot it was.

Several of the units now have solid surface countertops in the kitchen.



It honestly doesn’t really affect the guests that much, other than visually, but I’m sure it is much easier for the maids to keep clean. When they took out the atrium, it was not exactly the same level as the living room, so there was always a very small step there.

Several of the units now have new tile throughout the living, dining room and kitchen, and they leveled the floor, which is nice. Of course, by now I am so used to there being the little step there, I caught myself trying to take another step whenever I went through.




One thing that is a change that long time visitors should be aware of, is that it is no longer automatic to have daily maid service. Just make sure that when you arrive, you let Emmanuel know that you want daily maid service. (Or, every other day, or however often you want it.) Although not something new, you do need to let them know that you want a grill on your porch and Emmanuel will take care of you, as will ALL of the staff at Beachside. Whatever you want, they are very happy to oblige you if they can.

SO, WHAT DID WE DO? Not much! We DIDN’T go to any other islands, take a boat trip, go to the casino, go downtown shopping, and we didn’t even go to any other beaches for the day. Years ago, we used to do all those things, and spent a lot of time running around and spent most days hanging out on the beach all day. Since we live in Florida now and fight a constant battle with sand in my house, now, I feel much more comfortable hanging out ‘at home’, with very comfy seating, our own beverages, and our own bathroom. We spent most of our time just hanging out, watching the sailboats



And the cruise ships



And the yachts


And the airplanes







I read five books, from my usual perch in a chair in the unit



Or, from “the office”, out by the pool





Overall, Beachside has everything we want, in order to be able to relax and enjoy.


TRAVEL IN THE (SORT OF) POST COVID ERA It is so nice to not have to worry about getting a Covid test, either on the way down, or the way back. What is NOT nice is how crowded the airports are now! Miami was an absolute disaster area in the terminal when we left to go down. I have NO idea how long the security lines were going to take, but the lines were astounding. I had booked wheelchair assist, so it wasn’t that horrible, as far as timing, but it still took us well over an hour to get to the gate. This did not include any lines at the counter, as we were able to check our bag outside. AA at Miami at any rate, has this available now. I have no idea whether other airlines offer it or not. AA wants you to pay for checking your bag when you check in online. So far, they are not charging MORE if you don’t pay for it when you check in online, but I figure that is probably next. We were able to by-pass the HUGE line at immigration when we arrived in SXM, due to the wheelchair assist. My guess is that the line was probably at least 45 minutes. Upon arrival in SXM, there were no immigration forms to be filled out. The immigration ladies just ask you where you are staying and that’s it.

Upon leaving SXM, we didn’t try to check in online, as we didn’t have access to a printer, and we knew that we had to stand in line to check a bag there anyway. They do send you an email a day or two before flying and want you to fill out a contact information form, before you can check in. You don’t have to go to any other website, etc., to do that, just fill it out on the AA website. As I recall, all they wanted was your address and your phone number in the states.

THE DREADED ‘SSSS’ ON THE BOARDING PASS I hadn’t even noticed it, but I received the dreaded ‘SSSS’ on my boarding pass, as we were leaving SXM. We had booked separate tickets, as Eric paid with miles and I bought my ticket. I don’t know if that is the reason why I got it or not. As they were getting ready to board, they called me and a few other folks up to the gate. The only question they asked me was if I was travelling by myself. I was carrying only a beach bag, with my purse and a couple other items in it, and a plastic bag with our food in it. They didn’t even look in my purse, and didn’t even open the food bag. The lady in front of me got her bags thoroughly examined, so I guess maybe after they saw me, I didn’t look like a terrorist? Anyway, it wasn’t any deal at all.

WHEELCHAIR ASSIST As has always been the case before, the folks in SXM did a stellar job with wheelchair assist, which I just used on arrival, not on departure, as there was no line for immigration as we were leaving. I had made no secret in the past about how POOR the AA wheelchair assist was in Miami. When we were leaving Miami, we had to wait over a half hour to get a wheelchair, but otherwise, there were no problems, and we were able to avoid what I could estimate was at least an hour wait in the security line. Upon arrival back in Miami, there was actually a wheelchair waiting at the gate, which was shocking, based on recent past experiences. Maybe AA has finally fixed the wheelchair experience in Miami! I do intend to send a complementary letter to AA regarding the wheelchair service in Miami. Too often, we are all quick to send a letter of complaint when something goes wrong (which I have done several times regarding the Miami wheelchair service), so it’s good to send a complement also, when deserved.

MIAMI PARK AND FLY Speaking of highly deserved complements, we have used Miami Park and Fly for parking at Miami for several years now and I cannot recommend them highly enough. I would recommend that folks make a reservation though, as the last couple of times, the sign at the gate said there was no parking available without a reservation. You do have to pay up front for the reservation, but if circumstances change, you can always cancel and get your money back. I appreciate that there always seems to be a shuttle waiting when we arrive, to go to the airport. I appreciate that they greet us when we arrive and help us get the bags out. I appreciate that the shuttle driver helps with the bags at the airport. I appreciate that we never have to wait very long for a shuttle upon our return. I appreciate that the car is ready for us upon our return, open and ready to stow away our stuff. One feature that I didn’t know until really recently, is that there is a bathroom inside for your use, which can come in handy. My one complaint is that before they went out of business, we used to use Miami Fast Park, and they gave us free bottles of water when we came back after the flight. I REALLY wish Park and Fly would offer that. Otherwise, I can find very little to complain about.

So, that's it! We did less this trip than any other in recent memory, but I have very few regrets.