To recap our recent trip.....January 20 through January 25.........

Wednesday was 'going home' day and as is so often said, "you can't come back if you haven't left" so this was the day......

We had great flights, JB from JFK round trip with good seats in both directions. We paid for the roomier seats and were very happy we did - early boarding and early off the planes on both ends along with pretty much guaranteed space in the overheads. The fact that our third seat was unsold on the trip home just made everything better. And the Global Entry made returning a piece of cake, particularly since we arrived early and didn't have to wait for luggage. Our limo was there and we were on our way in no time, but the only downside was we were dumped into the height of rush hour commuter traffic. But we made it and were back in CT before seven o'clock so it all ended well. But one thing for sure, John wouldn't be chillin' on our porch last night.

We experienced incredibly beautiful weather the entire short time we were there - I might even call it PERFECT!! Sunshine and occasional gentle breezes and while I know there were rain showers a couple of evenings they were late enough that we were already in for the night or early enough that we weren't up to experience them. Right now the island is a beautiful green virtually everywhere and the flowers are in full brilliant colors, showing the island to its best advantages. And the grass on the golf cart is brilliant and being widely played.

As always, excellent service from ShopndropSXM and Kenny's Car Rental - thank you Jeannie and Lesley for your normal great service and Lesley, for your patience about us being unable to contact you at the end - next time we'll go back to the way we always do it.

We stayed in a lovely studio unit at the Towers with the view we adore but we sure did miss our larger timeshare units. The studio was more than adequate for a short stay and certainly much larger and better equipped than many hotel rooms we've had in some of our travels, and once we acclimated to the smaller space it was fine. We were happy to see so many old staff friends still there and doing well and surprised by a few changes, too.

And the reason for this very short trip - our friend was totally surprised and I could even say he was shocked to see us on his doorstep when he arrived. Hugs and kisses and even tears in his eyes and we were off, but not without the plan to meet them the following evening for dinner. I was so very glad we chose to do this - life can be short and full of surprises, which brings us to the surprise of our daughter and SIL popping in to see us Friday night. We had no clue they were on the island and assumed they were back in CT where we thought we had left them. It truly was a great surprise for us. Now, in honesty, they were taking a mini break for Ken's birthday and the timing just worked for their surprise for us, but it was very special. So many families don't spend fun times together and I can't thank my kids enough for our surprise.

We didn't do much beyond the intended purpose of the trip - that of surprising our very dear friend. We did no meeting up with island friends, no casino stops after dinner, no boat trips, no shopping excursions, no trips into Pberg or checking out the island, no GC gourmet dinners, and only a couple of beach days but we thoroughly enjoyed our time every moment of our brief stay. Our trusty little Corolla only travelled as far as The Royal Palm in one direction and Porto Cupecoy and I doubt we put fifty miles on it but I wouldn't be without a car there, no how, no way. The point being, we chose not to travel but had we chosen differently we could have.

We had excellent meals at SBYC - our only breakfast out and our one day of checking out the big yachts - and lunches at Barcode, in our room one pool day, at Rosie's on Mullet, and at El Zafiro our other full beach day, and even a hot dog at our pool bar on our other pool afternoon.. Someone told me a while back they were very good and surprisingly, they really were - and I'm generally not much of a hot dog eater. We enjoyed drinks at Buccaneer Beach Bar among other places and had enjoyable dinners at Boca Marina, FIG, Skipjacks and our last night on the island we had a light pizza dinner at Fat Tony's which was an excellent very tasty thin crust pizza; our Front Desk staff totally enjoyed the latter half of which we couldn't eat. No gourmet meals and we didn't wander too far from home for anything them but we did enjoy!!

And seeing the whales, even if from afar, was an absolute joy to behold and beyond the planned surprises of our trip, this was the BEST!!

All things in consideration it was a short but great stay, good weather, calm seas and warm breezes and great times all around. And now we look forward to Easter and Carnival St. Maarten style.