First time was in February, 1995, and we were at the late Dawn Beach Hotel. Another guest there asked if we had been to Orient yet, but we said "no" we had not. He told us how to get there--we drove there the next day and we were hooked after that first time.

We did not return in 1996 because of Hurricane Luis, but we have been down almost every year since, always in February and now for three weeks. And since our return in 1997, we have stayed at one place or another on Orient Bay. No more driving to the beach! We walk it every morning!

We have made friends with dozens of people who come down during the same time slot--not least of whom is the inimitable Contessa and our good buddy Bart Simpson. We often meet up with our SXM friends during the rest of the year, and look forward to our annual reunion with all of them on the island.

By sheer coincidence, just yesterday we bought our tickets for this coming February. We arrive on the 7th, depart the 28th.