This was son Jamie’s first trip. He and Andrea had a list of things to do. Hubby stayed home to Coach Babe Ruth baseball. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />
Day 1: Continental from EWR, arrived on time. Picked up car from Mickey at Tropical-Tropicana. Quick trip to Royal Turtle to drop off luggage, change, pick up phone from Sharon (love this service!) and hit the beach. We were on the beach and in the water within 1.5 hrs of landing. Spent time on Simpson Bay Beach at Karakter’s, yummy Tapas cocnut shrimp and Calamari. Dinner at Turtle Pier: Awesome Crab Salad, Andrea tried and liked the Conch Soup. To bed early, we left home at 4:45am.

Day 2 Breakfast at Turtle Pier is included in night’s lodging. Then on to Pelican . Traded in to a 1BR and were extremely pleased to have one at F bldg on the Beach. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> To Grand Marche for snacks and essentials. Then circum”island”gated: from Phillipsburg to Orient, thru Grand Case and Marigot back to Simpson Bay. We stopped at the Butterfly Farm and showed the kids all the fabulous butterflies – Atlas Moth was awesome. Spent afternoon on the beach and had dinner at Peg Leg’s Pub. Shaun is the best. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> Jamie loved the steak, Andrea loved the Mahi Mahi.

Day 3 Kids took Sea Kayak for a spin in Simpson Bay. Sand Gravity at Pelican Beach and then to Bill and Elaine’s for Thierry’s Caribbean Chicken. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Day 4 Chloe and Thierry came with us to Baie Rouge and introduced Jamie and Andrea to snorkeling. Of course Thierry led them astray - to the hole in the rock and the private beach. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />
Lunch at Chez Raymond: food good, service not so. Thanks Thierry for translating our needs. We tried Taco Macho for a take out dinner and were thrilled. This spot is now a must visit! Their shrimp burritos fueron muy buenos. (sp?) as were the beef quesadillas. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Day 5 We had planned to do the Ziplines, so off to Loterie Farm. We had tapas in the tree house for an early snack, excellent –but expensive. I also had to have my virgin “Sex in the Trees”…not as good as before, perhaps because it was made with strawberries instead of mango. Very refreshing. We all did the ziplines, even Mama. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> It was a hoot. Then, we drove to the top if Pic Paradis. Jamie /Andrea want to go back and spend a whole day hiking. The views are breath taking. Stopped in Marigot at the Spice Lady and to pick up more fruit.

Day 6 Cupecoy with Chloe and Thierry. Lunch a la Dany and John. IT was great to see so much beach this day. Kids walked almost to the “monolith”, now actually a duolith. Seas were a little difficult, but very refreshing. Calmos TTOL party in Grand Case was wonderful. MichaelDC and Kim had 50 people. Calmos was wonderful and of course the
TTOL crew was most congenial. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />Late night made for an easy drive back – no traffic. (pictures already posted)

Day 7 Orient - Jamie wanted to jet ski and once on, he was away and thrilled. We went to Baywatch, Adrian was off that day and his replacement was less than attentive. Disappointed in the service and went down to Orange Fever, which Island Gem raves about. Saw another TTOLer who also raved – I ordered their mussels special and so did Andrea. We were very pleased. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> Considering the chairs have nice cushions and the food is good – we may have to move up beach to Orange Fever. Tonight was Mom’s night out with an island friend. We went to Temptations: Crab Portobello & Sashimi in lime juice hors d’oeuvres. I had “quack quack L’Orange”, which was absolutely to die for. Friend had the Braised Beef . We both had virgin Mojitos – OMG, we had to have more, Yummy. Desserts were Chocolate Cheese Cake and Mini Crème Brulees –cardamom, chocolate, pistachio and regular. Needless to say, I didn’t need food the next day, everything was wonderful and presentation was excellent.
The kids went to Pineapple Pete’s and didn’t like the hamburger (not much taste) or the Lobster Thermidor (too dry). It must have been an off night.

Day 8 Celine Day Sail. No wind, so we had to use the “mechanical jenny” on the way to Tintamarre. We were glad to have the umbrella on the beach. Adrianne and Dave were Capt Neil’s helpers this trip - they were very engaging and fun crew. Can Neil’s food get any better? I doubt it! Mahi Mahi that melts in your mouth, fabulous Greek salad, Paella with shrimp and calamari, fall off the bone delicious ribs, potato salad with a kick, and so much more. OMG gorging again. I’ll have to diet at home. Needless to say , we didn’t need much more dinner. Ate leftovers and tried to clean out the frig before Sat move back to Turtle Pier.

Day 9 After so much sun and fun, we finally had a overcast day. Moved, shopped in Maho, visited Rainbow’s beach – great caves, lunch at Taco Macho (did I mention this is a must stop now?) then swimming in the Royal Turtle pool, dinner at Turtle Pier.

Day 10 Another overcast day, hate to leave but I have to work on Monday to earn $ to come back. Bumpy flight back to EWR and a bumpy landing – to which the pilot noted,
“ as you are all now well aware, we have landed in Newark”. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
I am already planning next trip. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />
ziplines and butterflies

more pics <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thinks.gif" alt="" />