Just back from two wonderful weeks on the island. My fourteenth/fifteenth trip. Senior moments all over the place.<br><br>I hope to do a full report, but expect to be quite busy the next few days. So here are a few comments that I thought was worthy in the event my trip report is very tardy. <br><br>Travel<br>Flew out of BWI on American airline with connection in San Juan to St Marten. No problem. The weekday flight really work for me. Less hassle in San Juan.<br><br>Coming back, we sent the guys to the airport in the morning for early check in. They had them open all bags, but no problems. We arrived at the airport around 2:15 where there were long lines, but we were able to do some last minute airport shopping and visit the new lovely restaurant upstairs and have drinks befor boarding. You must visit the restaurant on your return trip. Nice menu and efficient service. Try the mango collada (sp). It is to die for.<br><br>You will have to go through two check points before getting on the plane. In the last check point, they go through your carry on. But, because they wait until the plane is called for boarding and take soo much time with the checks, they do not have enough time to complete them. They stopped checking right as they got to me. So, they just checked my passport and boarding pass and let me go. <br><br>STAY:<br>We stayed at La Provencale (a villa in Terres Basse). It was absolutely geourgous. The internet pictures do not do it justice. This is a 5 bedroom villa. Every room was a master bedroom--all but two equipped with sitting rooms. My bed room had a walk in closet with a his and her area that was bigger than most bedrooms. Additionally, it had a separate huge bedroom and sitting room with two patio areas. One of the patio areas included a sofa outside with musical hook up. The bathroom was huge with his and her separate sinks, dressing area, and a wall to wall sliding glass door to an outdoor private garden. Additionally it had a foyer that led to a separate room that held the toilet and bidet. The kitchen was huge and with sliding glass doors and windows opens to the bar and pool area -- two separate dining areas one inside and one outside under a gazebo. Many sitting areas, etc, etc.<br><br>The only down fall that I found was that the pool does not have a shallow area. It is very deep.<br><br>I apologize for going on and on about the villa as I know many do not care for villa living. If anyone have any specific questions, please let me know.<br><br>Eating:<br>This year, we had a lot of eating plans but got villa gravity. We did make it to Peg Leg Pub for take out snacks and we purchased some T shirts (real cool). We got to meet Neil and he was great. We had plan to make it back to dinner or lunch, but was never able to. <br><br>We had the most wonderful Ribs at Johnny Under the Tree. I don't know who first mentioned this place, but the chicken and ribs were outstanding (surpass all that we have tried). The ribs are very meaty and tasty. The constant customers that include residents as well as touristers says it all. <br><br>Boat House. We usually do the boat house every year. The only thing different about this year was that we all had the coconut shrimp as appetizers and ordered more. This was recommended by one of the residents and they were right on the money. You must try the coconut shrimp there. They are fried using coconut and served on a bed of grated fresh coconut. The main entree was good also. But I could have just settled for two orders of the coconut shrimps. The only downfall with the dining experience is that in the past, we usually had mosquitos there. This year, we did not but there was a fowl smell from the water.<br><br>La Samanna:<br>We had a snack at La Samanna in Terres Basse which proved to be disappointing--except for the view of Baie Longe as we dined. Keep in mind that we did not have breakfast, lunch, or dinner--just a snack (as described on the menu). I had the lobster salad (very small with very little tasteless lobster). My husband had the turkey club sandwich. We shared a creme brulee. We had a bottle of water and two tasteless tropical drinks (Pina Colada and Lady Di which was a Mango drink). Along with the tip, this came to over $100 and we left hungry. <br><br>Uncle Ernie (Anguilla):<br>We had the largest grilled lobsters that I have ever seen with meat everywhere even in the legs and head. Too much for one person, but we did not know that before ordering. Let uncle Ernie know ahead of time that you want the lobster and he will have them on hand. While on Angulla, we greeted Pressure King and used his reasonable chairs and umbrellas.<br><br>La Belle Epoque in Marigot:<br>We had a wonderful lunch there. Try the grilled sea bass. It is to die for. The food was excellent and the view on the water is always good.<br><br>The Bridge in Sandy Ground:<br>This was truly our most enjoyable dining experience and a diamond in the rough. From Grand Case/Marigot going toward Terres Basse, it is on the left right before you cross the bridge. From Terres Basse, it is on the right immediately after crossing the bridge. We had extremely tender steaks grilled to perfection in a type of garlic sauce. We sat out on the porch and enjoyed seeing fish jumping up out of the water and residents fishing from the bridge and the rocks using nets. The boats were a plus. This is a must try for the food and the atmosphere. We loved it soo much, we ate there twice. There was no down fall to our dining experience. The prices are extremely reasonable. I did not notice the amount of the check, but I know that the grilled rib eye steak was only $18.75.<br><br>Cheries:<br>Food ok. Entertainment ok.<br> <br>What was unusual:<br>We did not get to any of the Grand Case restaurants--not even Rainbow Cafe or Talk of Town (which is unheard of for us). We chalked it up to villa gravity, getting older, and need more than two weeks., Another visit without making it to Le Santal.<br><br>Beaches: <br>We visited our usual. Noticed a lot of erosion on Pinel Island. We had a great time on Baie Rouge and enjoyed the live entertainment on Sunday.<br><br>Miscellaneous:<br>We made our rounds at the Casinos and they took our money at all of them. Unfortunately, we learned that the casino by the Sunset Beach Bar (having a senior moment and cannot remember the name) was robbed early in the morning the day we arrived. On our trip to Anguilla, we became more acquainted with one of the black jack dealers who recognized us from taking our money and he seemed to indicate that he thought it was an inside job. Same MO as the Pelican. We personally did not experience any problem with crime, but we always stay aware of our surroundings.<br>I learned that J N Jewelers in Maho was robbed at 4PM, so they keep their doors locked now and must unlock the door to let customers in. How unfortunate. <br><br>The funniest thing was the darn alarm on the our little red toyota. It gave you a couple of seconds after unlocking the door to start the car before the alarm went of. Needless to say that since we were on island time, the alarm went off a lot. [img]/images/icons2/laugh.gif[/img]<br><br>There seem to be a lot of unfortunate littering in the water at Marigot Marina.<br><br>I jewelry shopped until I dropped. I received some great deals and excellent service from Neil at Gold Creation across from Cheries in Maho. Excellent prices on perfume (seems to be the lowest price on the island) at Princess Jewelers in Phillipsburg and excellent prices on jewelry and Liquour at Diamond Jewelers in Phillipsburg.<br><br>I started this message by just intending to do highlights, and providing a trip report later, but I went on and on. So this is my trip report which is a good thing, because I may get senior moments and forget most of what I planned to say. It is now time to start planning my next trip. <br><br>Let me know if you have questions. I will now try to get back on Maryland time and go to bed.