Our first trip to St. Martin was the November after Luis. Although many months had passed, we were still shocked by the devastation that was still there. Boats were still laying on their sides on the airport road. Maho Beach resort was still half destroyed, and Mullet Bay devasted. Orient Beach had very few restaurants/bars, and of course all the subsequent development had not yet begun. Very few leaves were on the trees, so even the landscape looked barren.
In spite of what we saw, what we experienced was amazing. We both fell in love, again, on this magical island. The people and their survival stories shocked us, but endeared them to us with their courage and fortitude.
We have been returning almost every year since then. We actually prefer the St. Martin that we first met, but even with the crazy changes and expansion, we still return.
It is the highlight of every year for us. A time for rest and rejuvenation. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Kiss.gif" alt="" />