Another wonderful trip, but then, it’s St Maarten/St Martin. How could you not have a good time?
This was a new visit time for Betty and I. Our usual visit is in early February. This trip was May 14-27.
A Bonus Trip because of the bonus week we had to trade from Interval International and a sale from AA.
We found warmer sea water. A hotter sun, more humidity, although not a problem as long as there was a breeze. Traffic we found, minimal.
AIR – Tickets - $426.pp/rt. Compared to our $626. for this past February.
AA #687 leaving St Louis @ 6:10am with a connection in Miami #687(same plane) with a 1 ¾ hour layover. Arriving in SXM @ 2:20pm Can’t get much better than this. Unfortunately,
AA in their “infinite wisdom” has cancelled this flight for next year. Now to make the Miami to SXM flight, they expect us to fly into Miami the night before. And you think ,”…you know why I fly,…”
AA??? I think
NOT!!!!!!!!!
The flight home started good. American Eagle from SXM to San Juan, leaving at 9:47am. Got to airport at a little after 8am. Great time to go to the airport. Hardly anybody there. One person ahead of us at Check-in Counter. Two people ahead of us at security. Only a few shops open. A lot of time to kill. Would suggest arriving ½ hour or so later if you’re on the early flights. Left pretty close to time. Arrived at San Juan, made the “cross-country” hike to Immigration. And even without immigration forms on planes, we filled them out and went through without a hitch. Went downstairs for luggage. That’s when the day turned “ugly”. Excuses we got were,…” only two handlers working”,…” it was raining on the tarmac”,…”it’ll be up shortly”. No less than 45 minutes after arriving at carousel, our luggage finally showed up.
Upon arriving at our next gate, the flight to Orlando had been delayed 1 ¼ hours. At that time we loaded, only to sit and wait for a pilot. 15 or 20 minutes later the pilot comes on and informs us that he had just received instruction 15 minutes before that he was now flying to Orlando instead of Miami. We originally had 3 hours between our Orlando/St Louis flight, so we were going to wait someplace. Not to be outdone, Orlando to St Louis flight was also delayed an hour. Just an incredible example of AA’s commitment to its flying public. On each delayed flight the pilot asked the us to consider letting the
AA president know what they thought of AA flying service.
Personally, if I owned the stock I’d dump it soon or certainly vote against ANY bonus compensation for the AA Executives and Management.
CAR - Once again, probably for the thirteenth time we used
www.tropical/tropicana.com . Mickey met us at the airport. We signed the papers and we were off in a shiny red Getz with a damaged bumper. When we left, we left the car in the parking lot with the keys, a buck, and the parking ticket in the car. Easy people to do business with. $105./week + taxes with Jeff Berger discount.
PHONE – Sharon –
Queenofsxm2000@yahoo.com . Easy pickup. Worked all over the Island, except when I forgot to recharge the batteries. $25. + $10. in time.
GROCERY –
Grand Marche – Cole Bay Hill – Betty stayed with car and I ran in for soda, juice, milk, crackers, gouda, and grapes. We used our Oyster Bay Resort VIP Discount card and got an extra 5% off total.
ROOM - First three days we stayed at
Les Balcons in Oyster Pond,
Les Balcons. Unit 31, which is really 13, but they reversed the numbers because of the “13” superstition. Room was right next to pool
Room 31 Comfortable, with a king bed. Mini kitchen, bathroom. 220v outlets are recessed so you need an extension as well as a converter. No wash clothes. No little shampoo or conditioner bottles. Ordered raisen and chocolate rolls for breakfast on two days, as well as a baguette of bread. TV had some French channels. Met Carine upon her return to the Island after the family’s vacation to Disney World. Carine is pregnant. Delightful woman.
The 17th, we checked into
The Sea Palace. This was our trade through II. We stayed here last February and really enjoyed the activites and beach of downtown Phillipsburg. We were in unit 302AB which has a nice, shaded deck overlooking Great Bay and The Boardwalk. Parking is now $50/week as opposed to $5/day as in February. It is in a private, locked at nigh, parking lot, two buildings away from the Sea Palace front door.
The Palace is an older building, but well maintained. We really like the one bedroom units that have two full baths, a large living area, and small, but certainly adequate kitchen. Good TV, with a lot of channels and one in Living Room and Bedroom.
Our last three days, we stayed at
Turquoise Shell Inn on Airport Road. This small, but well maintained place, is great for being close to numerous restaurants as well as Simpson Bay beach. It’s also on the airport side of the drawbridge, so you don’t have to worry about getting to the airport. They have a nice little pool with beach chairs, floats, and stuff to borrow for the beach or pool
Pool , while you stay there. Water pressure in shower is great. They now are trying soap and shampoo dispensers in shower. Good TV channels. Queen size bed. New mattresses coming for all units not already changed this past year. Carter has a “green thumb” and keeps the flowers
Dessert Rose and vegetation well manicured. $115./night in off season.
Part 2 to follow shortly -
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