Here is our trip report from our trip the first of the year:Trip Report 1-19 January 2003<br><br>Left Dulles near Washington DC right on schedule at 7am, not may people around. About 40 people on each of our flights. <br><br>Arrived St. Maarten about 2:30 pm. Michael from Unity Car Rental was waiting for us. Took us to his place near the Pizza Hut and we picked up our car.<br><br> We soon found out that not a lot of places were open due to the holiday, so we stopped at the Buccaneer Beach Bar. Neil didn’t have cooking set up yet, so suggested that we go to the Peli Deli, get a sandwich and come back. That’s exactly what we did. A nice little beach bar. By the time we left the island, the grill was up and running. And he plans on putting in a shower. So the day people leave, if they want to do the beach, they can, and there will be a place to shower and clean up before heading to the airport. <br><br>Our first three nights were at Hotel du Golfe, in Marigot. Christopher was very nice. We showed him a copy of our e-mail confirmation and he took us right to our room. We had the top (3rd) floor with a view of the marina in Marigot. We never filled out any paper work or anything and then just paid the bill when we checked out. Nice accommodations, wonderful pool, although we never used it. There is no safe, refrigerator, or cooking facilities. But hey, we weren’t in our room much anyway. <br><br>We spend the first full day on the island looking up old friends at the beach. Along the way we met some new friends too. <br><br> We went to the TTOL party at Club O on Thursday night. It was a good time and we would like to thank the people at Papagayo’s for all they did for us.<br><br>The kids (son, Rusty, and his soon to be fiancée, Amy) arrived on Friday (1/3), late, but we were waiting with cold Caribe’s for them. We immediately went to the hotel, as Rusty had some business to take care of. We had been carrying a diamond ring around for 3 days for him. He asked Amy to marry him, she said yes! With that out of the way it was beach time. We decided to go to Sandy Ground to see what was there. Stopped at Layla’s beachbar for a drink and swim. It started raining as soon as we got out of the car so we had a drink and left.<br><br>Saturday was moving day; we moved to our timeshare unit at Oyster Bay Beach Club Two other couples that we know were staying at the resort also, so it was a lot of fun. The first week we had a two bedroom overlooking the ocean. The second week, we were suppose to move into a one bedroom, but ended up staying in the 2 bedroom for an extra $100.00. New energy tax in effect. Studio: $5.00; 1 bedroom: $8.00; 2 bedroom: $12.00. This is per day. We got the AC the first week and did without the 2nd week. Such a nice cross breeze you didn’t need AC. The original owners of Oyster Bay have taken back the resort from the bank. ARI is not involved in the resort any longer. Didn’t eat at the resort but had lunch one day at Ms. B’s and dinner one night at Mr. Busby’s. <br><br>The first week we showed Rusty and Amy around the island at some of the other beaches: Mullet Bay, Friar’s Bay, Dawn Beach, Orient Bay, and a trip to Pinel one day. Orient seemed to be the beach for everyone. The kids liked it down by Bikini Beach Bar so we camped out there for two days. <br><br>At night we would try different places to eat, but the best time we had was on Tuesday night at Repaire du Pirate. It is in Grand Case behind the police station. What a riot, plan on at least 3 hours if you have dinner here. The food was outstanding, as well as the atmosphere. If you see the place in the daylight, you will swear that you wouldn’t eat there. The salad and the potato salad (not like we know in America) were wonderful. We decided it was time to let the kids meet some of the wonderful (crazy) people we hang out with at the beach. The kids sat at one end of a long table and Kelly and I at the other end. They were on there own. A good time was had by all.<br><br>On Thursday the group had charted a boat to sail from Marigot to Tintamarre. As it was a c/o trip the kids got the car to explore the island that day. It was a fun time by all, but the captain needs to get a bucket for his boat. When arrived at Tintamarre we asked for a bucket to make mud in, he did not have one so he gave me a big yellow plastic salad bowl. It worked. We stopped at Happy Bay on the trip home for a few minutes also. The best part was on the way home, the captain cut the motors and we were under sail, what a feeling. The six from the boat trip that were staying at OBBR decided to go to Mr. Busby’s for dinner when we got home. The kids did not know we would be there and came in and joined us for drinks. (We later found out they had been at Orient Bay all day)<br><br>For their last night on the island we went to Mezzonette. This was our first time at this restaurant (next to the Boathouse) the food was outstanding. Kelly thought I lost my mind when I ordered a $50 bottle of wine for dinner, but everything was great. <br> <br>Sunday was hang out at the pool day as Rusty and Amy had to leave around 1pm for the airport. We took them to the airport after stopping by the Greenhouse for lunch. <br><br>The second week was just a time to relax on the beach at Club O with friends. We talked about going to a different beach each day, but by the end of the day we all decided to come back to Orient. <br><br>On the 14th we went to the TTOL party at Mary Boon’s. Met some more very nice people and wouldn’t mind staying there if the chance comes up. <br><br>As the week went on the group got smaller, it was a sad day every time someone left the group to return home, but it was one day closer to coming back. <br><br>Of course we ate at Baywatch (Orient Beach), the chicken finger hero is to die for as well as the Chicken Philly Steak. Amy’s choice for the best Bacon Cheeseburger on the island.<br>If you catch the day when Andy gets in fresh seafood, try one of the Caesar salads with scallops or shrimp and mussels with red wine sauce. Simply exquisite. Say hello to Andy and Cheryl for us.<br><br>Breakfast at the Zee Best (Marigot): We always stop in to see Danny when we are in town. He had some new pastries that were wonderful. Danny also has a band and that we heard one night at Sunset Beach Bar. They were outstanding and we got their CD (autographed by all three musicians). Amy said she could not have pastries in the US again after tasting these. <br><br>Some of the other places we ate were;<br><br>The Peg Leg Pub: We think the best steak on the island and the banana chocolate chip cake was excellent. Met Linda and Jack, the new owners. <br><br>La California: Great atmosphere and food. Excellent pizza and salad, if you want something light. On the water in Grand Case.<br><br>LoLo #6 Chez Cheryl: Four of us had plenty to eat (ribs, chicken, tuna) with 2 bottles of wine for $53.00. What a deal.<br><br>We stopped at Bamboo Bernie’s one night for lady’s night but nobody was in the restaurant so we didn’t eat there. <br><br>We ended up Sunday morning on the beach at Club O until noon, took a shower at the security house. Turned in the rental car and went to the airport. Had a smooth trip through check-in and paying the departure tax. We then walked over to Turtle Pier for lunch. The only snag coming home was the plane was late taking off in San Juan so we got in 2 hours late Sunday night. <br><br>Can’t wait for our next adventure in Paradise, Butch & Kelly<br><br><br>Happiness Is No Tan Lines<br>