This is a brief trip report. As usual, we had a great time. The weather was great. We went for 7 days to Orient. Our kids (7 and 10) love it. We were a bit disappointed with the food. The businesses on the French side are really hurting. The Euro is doing some serious damage to the economy.

Travel
We took United's innagural flight from O'Hare. Left at 8:00 AM and was in SXM at 3:00 PM. Governer and his entourage were waiting to greet us. Great flight. Hope UAL keeps the route.

Car Rental
Marius from St. Louis. Great as usual.

Hotel
GCBC (4 nights) and Le Meridien (3 nights). We usually stay at the later. We enjoyed the simplicity of GCBC and will be staying there from now on. We just love the location. Nothing fancy but great for people that don't spend much time in the room anyway. Very nice group of folks at GCBC. We were told that an American company will be taking over the l'habitation Meridien in the next few months.

Dinner
We consider ourselves foodies. We love our food whether it is a great hot dog or a mean fois gras. One of the main reasons we go to SXM and SBH is the availability of many good restaurants along with the great beaches. This was our 6th trip to SXM and the food/value at GC has been steadily deteriorating. They basically all serve the same 'menu' with very little innovation. It is becoming glorified bistro food. I know that we will catch a lot flack for this opinion. We shared our concern with some locals and they seem to share the same opinion about GC. The owners keep complaining about the low USD and how they have to pay their taxes and workers in Euro. The quality is obviously suffering.

Spiga
Good rack of lamb. Everything else was on the bland side. Warm shrimp and scllops wrapped in Prosciutto. Very boring. Prosciutto was overcooked destroying its taste. The wife had Sundried Tomato Tagliolini. Good but nothing special. I think it was 1.10 per Euro. Will have to check the receipt.

L'Alabama
So so rack of lamb (too gamey) and duck. Good fois gras. 1 Euro for 1 Dollar. Nothing special.

Cottage
Everything was good especially the home-made Fois Gras and the duck plate. Second time in this restaurant and it is becoming our GC favourite. 1.20 for a Euro.

Pressoir
The fresh fois gras was good. Very average terrine de fois gras. Simple but superb Dover sole. No 1 Euro per USD. Thus the price is very high for what you get.

Bistro Caraibe
Not a good experience. We did not enjoy the food in this place. Had to twice remind the waitor for wine. The vegetables with the duck were asparagus ends (the ones you ususally throw away) and slices of red/yellow pepper. Not exactly haute cuisine. The fois gras was average at best. No 1 Euro per USD. Will not go back.

Lucanda (Anse Marcel)
I am not sure about the name. But this is a small italian place in Anse Marcel. Good pasta.

Talk of the town
Good ribs and grilled shrimps. We like this place.

Le Belle Epoque (Marigot)
Very good for lunch.

Kon Tiki
Bouillabaisse special was as good as any we've had. Including Marseille. home of this dish. The tuna Ceviche was superb so were the shrimp nem (Vietnamese spring rolls).They also serve decent good Sushi.

Le Gaiac
Solid not spectacular. Much better than anything in GC.

Philisburg was very crowded. Very impressed with the amount fo work the local government has done there. The boardwalk is very nice and front street looks much better. The French side looks very tired. Hopefully the split from Guadeloupe will eventually pay off.