Flew out of Newark on non-stop, stayed at Wyndham Garden, Newark, night before. No problems with either. Going through customs was quick and car pick-up through Avis was non-eventful.

Stayed at Turquoise Shell Inn for three nights before checking into Royal Palm for two weeks. First stay at Turquoise Inn and were very pleasant. Carter is a great host and units are very nice.

First night dinner was Pizza Galley - never a disappointment. In fact, went there twice during our stay.

SkipJack's was next with Caribbean lobster. Service was great as well as food.

We also ate at La Rosa Two in Maho for Valentines Day which was very good - veal parmigiana excellent. Food and service impeccable.

Ate at Hilma's Windsor Castle for lunch - loved it! Her Johnny Cakes are the best!

Bajatzu - had a reservation but tried to put us in a tiny table behind the bar We objected and were moved to a nice table. Waiter was fun, but French and could not understand a word he said. Food was so-so, but bill was not!! Paid much too much for a mediocre meal.

Also visited Tutta Pasta - lovely and great food - lasagna for me, pasta dish with sausage green peppers, onions and such for hubby - Patricia is always a gracious hostess.

Tropicanna in Marigot at Marina Royale. Lovely place, good food, but terribly overpriced IMHO.

Ate a Le Spinnaker for lunch (the previously named Le Village) at Royal Marina in Marigot. Good food, good service, reasonable price - had their pizza.

Breakfast at the SBYC two mornings - good food (especially their Eggs Benedict), good service. Fun watching the boats going in and out of Simpson Bay.

Breakfast also at Zee Best - good food, good service although I felt that their basket of French pastries was not up to par as last year.

Tried to go to Lee's but had a controversy about a reservation, so didn't stay.

Ate at Peg Leg Pub - food was good - had filet mignon, service so-so, they always seem to have an attitude there.

Lunch at Le Brassarie (sp?) in Marigot - loved it.

Lunch at Captain Oliver's which was a first for us - their lobster bisque was fabulous and their escargot was also scrumptious. Great food, great service, beautiful location.

Panini sandwiches at Kakao beach bar - very good.

Wings and burgers at Sunset Beach Bar - good service and great seeing the planes land.

Ate at the Cabana Beach Restaurant at the Royal Palm for one dinner and several lunches. Very nice restaurant, good food, with great tables overlooking Simpson Bay. Service was good. I don't think many people consider eating there if they are not staying at the RP - but they should!

Ate two lunches at a restaurant on the boardwalk in Phillipsburg, LeQuiche or something like that. Loved it.

Went to the Lolos in Grand Case - Talk of the Town. Found it to be the same as when we visited last year, good food - chicken and ribs, good service. Parking in the public lot was much better then we remembered from our last visit.

Went to Buccaneer Beach Bar and had a great time. Had burgers, pizza and wings - all good.

Ate dinner at the Hideaway at La Vista. As far as we're concerned, overrated. Had Rack of Lamb and hubby had Mahi Mahi. Mine was good, his not so much. Large bill - food just average, as was service.

Lunch at Karacter's was fun. Waiter was French and so much fun and we could understand him! Had coconut shrimp and plaintains - scrumptious. It was very, very windy though, but still had fun Mango Coladas were their special that day - very good.

Had dinner at Jimbo's - Enchilada platters, and they were very good - good service also.

Ate at Toppers By The Sea and saw their burlesque show. Another problem with reservations and were not pleased with table. Food was good although despite having a reservation for a table by the stage area, we were placed at a table so far back we couldn't see much of the show. Although one of our favorite places in the past, decided too commercial and playing of favorites is not for us. Will not go back.

Ate at Toppers on Welfare Road and all was good.

Got lazy and vegged on our balcony at Royal Palm watching preps for the Henieken Regatta over at BBB, the Lambada and Tango coming and going, and all the sailboats in the Bay. Saw the teams coming and going through the bridge from the back of our unit. Also watched lots of cruise ships leaving Phillipsburg at night and passing by Simpson Bay all lit up - beautiful.

Went to Marigot twice during the day to the market and for lunch - never felt unsafe although an unsavory character tried to approach us at the Marina Royale Parking lot. We just kept walking and ignored him. Went to Phillipsburg twice and all was well there.

Didn't venture out at much at night as we enjoy balcony sitting and drinking! Plus, we could hear the music from La Bamba and Buccaneer Beach Bar so felt as though we had our own private setting!

Shopped at Le Grand and also the Market on Welfare Road in Simpson Bay. Found all we needed at both places.

Since it was high season, traffic was, at times, very heavy. However, it never hindered us as to traveling around the island.

Went to the Blue Mall in Cupecoy. Didn't realize that only a couple stores are open. Very impressive - but seems strange to have such a monstrosity on the island.

We went to Kakao beach twice, and mostly stayed at Simpson Bay Beach. Didn't make it to Mullet but we tried - just never got over there. Stayed at the pool a couple days. Much lazier trip than in the past.

All in all, a wonderful trip. Just sorry we had to leave on Saturday - and the Regatta was just heating up. But, got to see a lot of the teams going in and out of the lagoon through the bridge. That was fun.

Trip home via United to Newark was non-eventful. Only downside was it was snowing when we landed, lightly, but still snowing! Bummer.