[Linked Image] Flew out of Toronto shortly before 7 a.m. on the 18th from a frozen food locker landing in Paradise about 4 hours later. Had prepared to strip off track suits to Tees and shorts underneath, good thing as we stepped out into about 85 degrees. It never ceases to amaze us how two bags dumped on the conveyor at the same time can be 20 minutes apart upon retrieval, anyway... Met by Leslie Bruce of Kenny's with a Toyota Corolla in great shape waiting for us right there at the Airport (199.00 per week) and after about 3 minutes of paperwork on our way up to our Tshare at Divi in Phillipsburg. I can't say enought about Leslie, this was our first meeting with him having spent previous years awaiting shuttles in lines to other big boy car rental places, then lines once we got there etc. Leslie's service both at pickup and departure, meeting us at the Airport was first class with no hassles. We will be emailing him (bruce@sintmaarten.net) next year to make a reservation again.<br><br>Not much of a backup for the lift bridge and construction and paving now completed. Had read about the new road at the rounabout at the top of the hill into Phillipsburg, just stay right, its great and much easier into town. Dumped luggage at Divi around 1 as our unit was still being house cleaned and went back to the New Matche at the roundabout for some breakfast groceries and snacks for the week. You can pick up a beach cooler bag at the Costuless on the left just past the roundabout going into Phillipsburg. We throw in some ice in a baggie and with Henikens, Cheese, Crackers and small bottles of Sutter's wines or your own poison, you can have an inexpensive feast on the beach with no hassle from any of the bar staff either even on Orient. Don't spread out an 8 ft square tablecloth though, either [Linked Image] Drove around the island and it's the greenest and flowery weve ever seen it having travelled there now for 7 years. For Saturday night, being tired out, we decided on Bananas in Simpson Bay, Patti chose a Seafood Pasta entre while I had the Tik Ribs, we both enjoyed them immensely and while we have had significant debate on this web about where to go for ribs, I was pleasantly surprised at how tender tasty and almost boneless they were. Dale wasn't in but said hello to Bob. Remember, you order your food at the bar when you arrive, then go in, pick a spot and the staff will take your drink order. Was not very crowded at around 6:30 or so that night and the service was excellent.<br><br>The following day wishing to lose the white pasty appearance derived from the Canadian Winter, we of course went to the beach up in Orient and somehow while being well lathered with Sun Block in advance, I managed to cleverly wipe off some in a manner that left a red road map appearance on my bald head. Back at the ranch I was desperate for Patti's assistance to change my look before dinner. She graciously applied some of that makeup from the brown bottle which resulted in some significantly different shades of skin colour. I subsequently decided to go out with the road map look as opposed to that of a plague victim and we went out to dinner. Stay tuned for further installments.

Allan

Hemingway Runaway