Arrived home 12.20 a.m. after leaving SXM at 5.30 p.m. with a connecting flight in Toronto for Montreal. Left SXM almost an hour late, sat on the runway for 45 mins waiting for clearance to takeoff because of storms.

In our two weeks we suffered from “sand gravity” on Orient beach (club O section) except for two days when we drove around a bit. Met many old friends and made many new ones. Too many to mention but you know who you are <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Meals – ate at Dinghy Dock (several times), Mama Pizza (Oyster Pond) – the owner has really made some wonderful changes, a covered deck, colourful table clothes and the menu is being expanded to include pasta and some interesting looking appetizers but although they are on the menu the new items are not yet available. New to us was Peg Leg which we found a bit pricey and El Rancho which we enjoyed very much but portions were large and we could have shared. Rest of the time we cooked.

Observations - Roads worst we have experienced since visiting SXM. Large potholes everywhere and with the rain sometimes impossible to see them. Heard about one vacationer who had two flats in one day. The night we went to Peg Leg it was pouring and took us 55 mins from Dawn Beach. Same thing on visit to El Rancho – should have taken us 10 –15 but took 25. Also noted that many, many street lights were not working. Driving through Orleans to El Rancho in the pouring rain was hair raising when two local girls, wearing dark clothing stepped off the curb right next to our car, don’t know how we missed them!!! Crime – although we did not experience or witness any crime there were several incidents mentioned in the Daily Herald. One robbery assault on a cruise ship visitor – punched in the face and robbed while on Gallion beach. She was with a group of 14 from the ship. Those with her chased the culprit who threatened them with a knife before escaping with his cohort on a scooter. A crew member from a ship was robbed after taking a “gypsy” taxi. Potential thieves were caught in Dawn Beach area. They were “painting” an electrical box and spotted by a resident who called the police, they were found to have a gun and a pair of binoculars in the their possession.

None of these issues will stop us from returning in January for our usual 8 week stay, can’t wait to return.