This was a great vacation. That's why we keep going back for more. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> We flew American this year. From PHL to SJU to SXM you get there at 2pm. Picked up car at Hertz and cell phone from Sharon. Checked in at Mary's Boon in their suite with loft. Since my Sister-in-law was coming in the next day, we needed sleeping quarters for her. Our King bed on main floor with kitchen & bathroom. The loft had 2 double beds. It's located right on the beach. Just don't stand up real quick or you'll bump your head in the loft. The beach was just beautiful with the different colors of the ocean. Some nice condos down the beach from MB. The air conditioning worked fine until the morning we were checking out. Our 1st evening went to Turtle Pier for Lobster night. We had emailed our reservations since last year it was crowded. We arrived and the place was not even half full. Sat down and watched people come in and leave. Found out they did not have lobsters for "Lobster Night". They had a half a dozen 5 pounders and decided to split one. It was plenty for 2 people but you could tell the help didn't know what to do and the manager decided not to show. Thursday breakfast in MB outdoor dinning area. Very nice overlooking the water. Enjoyed the beach and water all day. Got a call on the cell phone from Sister-in-law. She was flying from San Diago to Chicago to San Juan to SXM. The flight from Chicago turned back for an emergency. They put her on another plane but missed her connection in San Juan by 15 min. Instead of getting in at 5 pm she had to wait for the last flight that arrived at 10:30. We figured she would be a bit tired so we ate dinner at Mary's Boon. Thursday is Duck night. You can order grilled chicken or snapper if you don't want the special of the night. We asked if they could make up a platter for my sis and they put enough duck and veg. for next days lunch for all of us to nibble on. They had Perfitterals which the chocolate was delicious. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> We watched her plane come in on the beach then headed over to the airport. Friday, was another beautiful day on the beach, just relaxing. Dinner was at Pineapple Pete's which was great. We all enjoyed our meals and the atmosphere and the great service. Decided to get a drink at Sunset Beach Bar and show sis-in-law what it's all about. Listened to the band and had a few drinks before heading back to MB. Saturday, we woke up feeling warm and for some reason the air wasn't working. Good thing it happened at end of stay. We called Royal Islander on cell to see if our unit was ready and it was. We checked out and checked into RI. Did a little grocery shopping across the street then back to the beach. The beach at RI is a lot bigger than last year. The water was calm and inviting and did I mention the colors of the water were awesome. Saturday at sunset all of a sudden we hear drums beating. There was a yellow school bus with 10 or 12 people playing drums and marching to Sunset Beach Bar. They sounded really good. We could watch them off the back balcony at RI. Saturday evening we ate at Chanticlear at Marigot marina. Fantastic meal with their "no name" chocolate balls. Yummy! Walked around the marina and Tropicana was doing a great business too. Sunday, we at Zee Best for breakfast. Decided to take back some pasteries for breakfast at the condo. Went to Mullet Bay for another great beach day. We go to leave and discover the car battery is dead. Call on the cell phone and Hertz is there in 10 min. charging the battery. We are kind of spoiled with American cars with all the bells and whistles, I guess. Sunday at sunset we hear the drums again. Go out and watch the drum band march in front of the yellow school bus to SSBB. Lots of people there to watch and listen. Does anyone know who they are? It was really neat!!! Went to Orient Beach for the day but the water was full of seaweed and filmy. Ate at Bikini Beach. Wednesday morning to Marigot outdoor market, then to Grand Case to check out some clothing stores then back to RI and the beach. We ate at Paris Bistro one night and Alabama another night. We had very good dinners at both. Wednesday, another brother-in-law and family flew in and we had dinner at Saratoga. A good meal was enjoyed by all. We met the chef/owner, John Jackson and he said he will have a websight soon. Our last night we ate at Temptation. A very nice place and the food a little different. A bit pricey but good. I think it had a little Indian influence. The chef came out to mingle. We went into Phillipsburgh one morning for some shopping. Did you notice our routine was eat beach eat sleep? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/snore.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/pepsi.gif" alt="" /> The cell phone came in handy to call home and making reservations for dinner, etc. Since we left on a Friday, we didn't have to check out until we were ready to leave, which was nice. We decided not to make a special trip to the airport to check our bags in the morning. I did have a run in with the security person about my rounded scissors I have in my carry on. She took them away because they were scissors but she wouldn't check with anyone that she was wrong. TSA has a list on what you can have in your carry on and "rounded or blunt" scissors is one of them. I asked to see her supervisor and she said she was the supervisor.
At that point, I figured I'll have to get another pair. The airport websight has one page just say scissors in general. Now, I can have the pointed scissors. Go figure!! After a half hour of trying to calm down the flights home were fine and on time, a bit unorganized in Miami and it was in the 30's when we arrived in PHL. BURRRRR!!