Flight - US Air MSP - CLT - SXM no problems all went well arrived 3:35 p.m. island time.

Accomodations. We are owners at the Belair and the resort was looking great. The improvements they have made are great. We love the quiet beauty of Little Bay and especially the view. It seems like you can almost throw a rock to Saba on a clear day.....almost....The best thing about Belair is the 5 minute checkin. I have never had to wait in line in 3 years.

Rental Car. I used Unity for the first time and they were great. 10 minutes after I picked up my luggage I was in the Jeep and we were on our way.

We ate at a number of new places (to us) mainly on the Dutch side this year. Here are a few of our thoughts.

Jimbo's - great atmosphere pretty good food. Great for Fajitas. (behind Goodfella's off the marina - Simpson Bay)

Laguna - Great italian food. This a place we would definately go back to. Both Service and food were outstanding. Only drawback for us was that it was indoors.

Peg Leg Pub - This was a first for us this year. We loved it. Sitting outside under the stars and the lights of Simpson Bay Marina is great.

Le Blue Peter - This is a french restaurant located in bobby's Marina between Greenhouse and Chesterfieds. We really enjoyed the setting and the food was very tasty. The restaurant has a sort of museum of photos of Philipsburg from way back when folks had to take a boat between the islands. And oddly enough the name of the boat that provided this transportation was the Blue Peter.

There is a new place not far from Peg Leg Pub called Pineapple Pete's. This was a nice surprise for us as well. It is located in Simpson Bay but futher down from Peg Leg away from the airport and toward the Sports Book and Cay Bay. This was a great spot my wife and I loved the food. Note that this spot only takes cash.

Other eating spots were:

Lee's, Chesterfields, La California, Hot Tomatoes, Turtle Pier (for breakfast), Indiana, Sunset Cafe at GCBC - (for breakfast), The restaurant at Divi, and Boathouse. All were great with the exception of Boathouse. We have eaten there many times in the past with no complaints, actually much praise, but this time was very, very slow service, and the food was not as good as I remember.. I am chalking it up to an off night and can't wait to go back next year.

Beaches:

Dawn, Orient, Mullet, Baie Rouge, Pinel, Little Bay. All were nice. The waves at Baie Rouge were huge. They were washing out the chairs and menu board inside of Gus's Beach bar. We were so far up the beach there was room for one row of chairs before the rocks. Amazing...Love the cheesburger at Gus's WOW! Dawn was great the first week ate and Scavengers, Mr. Busby's and Ms. B's the waves were very calm and gentle, but by Thursday of our second week the waves were really big. I have never seen Dawn that rough. I must say the ribs at Ms. B's are the best on the island - IMHO <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Overall the airport was a bit crazy when we left, but coming in was no problem at all. 20 minutes from getting off the plane to waiting for bags. The new boardwalk area in Philipsburg is FANTASTIC!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> This is a prime spot for you gentlemen to do some "shopping" with a nice cold Carib. and a copy of the Daily Herald.

Observations. The island is buzzing. new construction on roads, new restaurants, the boardwalk in Philipsburg and the airport expansion project make things appear to be very vibrant and exciting.

We did a daytrip to St. Bart's, 3 stop snorkel with the Swaliga II. Great. We also did a couple of Sunset Cruises on the Lambada. All were a lot of fun. We also did a half day fishing charter with Lee and our boat caught a 150 plus pound Blue Marlin very exciting. The water was very rough and a couple of guys in our boat got a little sick.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" />

Over all a great trip can't wait to go back....Please send me a PM with any questions or if you would like any further information about our trip.

Now back to reality..... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" />

dandbmn

347 days and counting.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />