As we travel to SXM each year with returning Anniversary friends, I will not refer to them by names, but by assigned numbers. It's easier and quicker to type numbers than names. I will not critique each restaurant visited, as it creates challenges to our experiences. Everyone has their own ideas of what is good or bad. I will however list our favorite dining experience at the end of the report. Because of some uncontrollable circumstances, we did not visit many places on our "To Do List". It's now something to look forward to on our next visit.

Wednesday, October 13, Day 1
Our 29th wedding anniversary trip to SXM started at the sound of the alarm clock at 1:30AM. Showers, shaving and hair prep time later, we were ready for our limo. Checking all necessary papers, passports, etc., we were off to PHL airport. Arrived at 4:45 for a 6:05am flight on AA. No lines, kiosk check in was quick and painless. Security a breeze and there we were sitting and waiting to board. Flight to Miami was smooth until we were near the Carolina's. Lots of speed bumps as we passed by a storm in the Atlantic. Arrived at Miami airport 20 minutes late(9:15am), just behind a flight from Dallas bringing in our vacation partners # 1 & 2 from Washington State. We met up with anniversary travelers # 3 & 4 from San Francisco who also join us every year. They have been in Miami since 6:00am. They had a pre-arranged double Jack Daniels on the rocks waiting for me as promised. Thanks to them for the early morning start-up kick. We hung at the Island Bar until flight time to SXM. Smooth flight to SXM, landed on time. Everyone was using ACE/Panoramic Car Rental. They were waiting, whisked us away to the office to sign paperwork. T-# 3 & 4 got their car and were off to Grand Case Beach Club. I didn't like our car as it looked a little tired (2006). Travelers # 1 & 2 didn't care for theirs either. We both voiced our displeasure as we are returning customers to Mohamed. Newer cars were brought out and we were on our way.

I stopped at Sharon's for our phone then continued to Grand Case Beach Club, stopping for a few minutes at Match in Marigot for essentials. Match was different from last year. Not much inside as usual. Found out that US Imports in Hope Estates is taking over the store and updating it, as was told to us by a few employees.

On to GCBC and our room 106. Settled in no time. Looked around and then wandered down to the Lolo's for a Rib, Shrimp food dinner with T-# 1. Ate at the picnic area outside our room, cracked a bottle of wine and enjoyed our first evening in our second home. Had a few laughs and went to bed.

Thursday, October 14th, Day 2
Breakfast at Sunset Café, then survey changes since last year around GCBC. No physical damage showing as a result of any hurricanes. We helped fellow Anniversary travelers with a problem in the morning and then we were off to Hope Estates and Bacchus for lunch. A great start for a two week vacation ! We visited Bacchus last year but did not eat there. Our lunch was a trio of appetizers. We were served by three attentive, but invisible personnel. Mireille had a dozen Escargot (won't order less) and I had the Shrimp and Duck Breast salad. We split a plate of assorted pate and sauscisson. A glass of wine each helped us through the light lunch. A bit pricy, but worth the visit. Suggest if you go for lunch, arrive as close to noon as possible, as
locals start arriving shortly after noon.

Next stop in Hope Estates is the US Market to stock up on wine, cheese, pates, candles for the traditional empty first wine bottle, Grandmere Noire coffee for every morning and the rest of the list for our stay. Very clean, stocked with about everything you could want. Back to Grand Case Beach Club and get into the water with part of the "Dirty Dozen" that return every year.

Six of us have arrived. Four more on Saturday, the final two on Sunday. Water clear, warm and absolutely refreshing, especially with a Carib, glass of wine or whatever. Four hours later we got out, changed for dinner choices and sat out in front of our room with the group, enjoying a cocktail, etc., with our cameras. Great sunset pictures and off L'Escapade for two and Lolo's for us.
Germains was open in the back. The Sky's the Limit and Talk of the Town were closed. Everyone regrouped later after dinner and sat in front of our room which we had assembled 12 lounge chairs, courtesy of Sebastian at the water sports hut. We later named our sitting area as "Fort Apache". A gathering place that started years ago and has followed every October. Party time
lasted from 7:30 to about midnight.

Friday, October 15th, Day 3
Second great nights sleep in a row. Breakfast from Sunset Café and fresh brewed Grandmere's coffee kicked the day off great. Went with associate returning traveler # 1 to Marigot and Sarafina's for sandwiches and plenty of French pastries. We enjoyed chicken and ham & cheese sandwiches with some pate from yesterday. Many French pastries were sampled, no disappointments. The water called all afternoon, about six hours, only leaving momentarily to reload our hands with the beverage of choice.

Leftovers this evening and more French pastries from Sarafina's. The rest of the evening was spent in Fort Apache with travelers # 1, 2, 3, 4 consuming JP Chenet Ugli-Blancs, Cote du Rhone, Caribs, Presidents and Jack Daniels.

Saturday, October 16th, Day 4
Fresh OJ, Croissants, Pain du Chocolat and Grandmere coffee was enjoyed on the patio outside our room for breakfast. Saturday is Marche day in Marigot, so off we went to browse and pick out a T-shirt or two. Lunch was a return visit to Bistro-de-la-Mer. It was a good experience last year, we tried it again. The wife had escargot (12-what else) and I had the Mahi-Mahi.

We briefly returned to the Marche and found some things for the Grand-kids. Leaving Marigot, we stopped at Match for a few items, then back to GCBC for water time until sunset. More Picture taking, then out to dinner. Anniversary travelers, 3, 4, & 5,6 went to Le Ti Bouchon and Momo. Anniversary travelers 7 & 8 went to Le Cottage and was not disappointed. Scallops and Tenderloin was top notch as reported. Travelers 1 & 2 returned with us to The Sky's the Limit, which had opened up along with Talk of the Town. Returned to GCBC and had dinner at the picnic area next to our room. Conversation, a few drinks at Fort Apache and off to bed with memories of the day. Oh yea, we had another French pastry from Sarafina's before retiring.

Sunday, October 17th, Day 5
Sunset Café started the day. Some casual time at GCBC renewing other acquaintances, then off to Paradise View Creperie. The owners are from Morlaix in Bretagne, France. Young couple trying to bring traditional French country cuisine to St. Martin. Mireille had a great time talking to her as she is from the same area in France. They packed a few clothes and came to St. Martin.
Been open just a few months, we enjoyed traditional French Bretagne crepes. View is great from top of hill overlooking Orient Bay and Le Galion Bay. Shops were not open on Sunday, so we drove to Orient bay for a look see. On the way back, a short stop to the MaDoudou factory in Cul de Sac. Back to GCBC and the water for 6 hours. Got kinda wrinkled, but enjoyed the time as usual. Eight in the water telling jokes, reminiscing and holding one arm high to keep salt water out of the beverage. Tomorrow, the remaining four anniversary travelers arrive.

Bistro Caraibes was choice for dinner as was travelers 5 & 6. Lobster Thermodor is my wife's favorite meal on the island, as is #5. They were not disappointed as I enjoyed the Pork Tenderloin. Thibault and Amaury have risen to the occasion again. The best Lobster Thermodor they can remember. The customary after dinner island rum drink was enjoyed with both Thibault & Amaury.
We walked back to GCBC from Bistro Caraibes and stopped at Le Ti Coin Creole and talked to Carl who invited us in for another after drink experience. Walking by after a while was Travelers, # 1, 2, 9, & 10 who had finished dining at Piazza Pascal's. Walked back to GCBC and said good night to all. Early evening.