Ill try and make this short and sweet, Im a rambler and could go on for ever.....

Spent the nite at La Quinta at Detroit Airport, had NO sleep because the walls were paper thin. Laid in bed wide awake until 4am, felt like crap but the excitement took over.

Flight down DTW-FLL-SXM, on Spirit. Paid $390pp to sit in the big seats, sat in row 1 all the way down and back. Had no problems and loved our seats. Made the long days of travelling just bearable.

Arrived at the new airport in SXM, thought we would pull up to a gate but the stairs were used which is what I always loved about arriving to the islands. Had to wait for a shuttle bus to pick us up which I thought was silly as the airport was a short walk away and after sitting most of the day would have loved the little walk. Went through customs in no time. Didnt check our luggage so off to find Mohammed from Panoramic for our rental.

We were met by a rep who showed us to the shuttle to take us to Mohammeds office which was a short minute ride away. By this point I had been up for over 24 hours so I was a bit in 'a mood'. Mohammed made it easy and smooth and my brain didnt have to do a thing. Was out of there in 5 minutes. Got a great little car with the best A/C I have ever had! Returning the car was just as easy.

Drove the 30 minutes to Les Balcons in Oyster Pond, our room was just as expected with a view to die for. Carine was very kind and made us feel welcome. Had a dip in the pool and then off to the Dingy Dock bar as we were starving. Had the best ribs ever for only $10! We came back 2 more times during the week. Could have eaten there every nite. Also ate at Mamas Pizza just down the road a couple times. Another spot we enjoyed was eating breakfast at Big Fish. Great food,service and good prices.

Spent our week driving around the island, visited Marigot and Phillipsburg. Spent a couple days at Orient and most of our time at Dawn beach. Marigot has def changed since the last time I had been to the island (10 years ago). Its not as nice and many of the little french shops had disappeared. Loved poking around the Match thou. The island was very lush and the butterflies were everywhere. I was surprised at the lack of rain during the week and also we couldnt believe how hot it gets down there, a little unbearable at times if your not close to the water. Was very sad to leave the island. It was a long day of travel home from the time we left Les Balcons to the moment we pulled up our driveway was 14 hours, but totally worth it!


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