TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin And....we are home.

And just like that, our vacation has ended, but the memories of the last three weeks will be forever in our hearts. Checked out of LaPlage, around 11:30, so with nowhere in mind, just headed down to figure out what we would do for lunch. I really didn't want to spend a couple of more extra hours at the airport, especially having to keep masked longer than i really had to. Since the luggage was in the car, wanted to go somewhere where we can keep an eye on it. Driving through Simpson Bay, we decided to stop in at Captain's Rib Shack. We have been there last year or the year before, and the ribs were good as we remembered. So, we both ordered a rib dish, and the ribs were also fantatic, cooked with a dry rub, and so much meat on the bones!! Was a nice way to end our St. Maarten trip, with local food.

Then, to return the car, get dropped off in front of the airport, and then the hike started. Checkin with AA was a breeze, very small line, that lasted less than five minutes. Checked passport, showed negative Covid, and was clered to go. Then, another room with mazes for lines, which led to immigration check, the passport stamped, and then off to more lines at Security. Another mob scene. Social Distancing signs all over the place, along with sanitizing stations for the hands, but NO distancing with the people in the maze lines getting from one point to the next. Probably took well over an hour and half to finally get to the gates....Our flight was finally called, but was baffled that I didnt see the plane. Sure enough, it was about SEVEN planes away from the gate, and was told we would have to walk to the plane, since the Bus was out of service. With my bad back, i did request assistance, and was taken to the plane.

Landed in Miami, breeze getting through customs, they really have stepped up their game at MIA, customs lines shorter than normal, MANY more windows open, and no immigration form needed to be filled out. Then get luggage, called our hotel, where our car was parked, dropped off, and was on our way home. There was quite a few people at baggage claims, but all in all it moved very quickly.

So, the journey for now has ended. Hope you enjoyed reading all the posts. Was fun taking you all along, and am looking forward to read your reports as time progresses. The countdown has begun for us, Forty Eight weeks and six days before we do it again!!! The extra day will be the Friday before our timeshare begins, because we will NOT do the Saturday flights and go through the lines again. And, who knows, if the price is right we may make it even a day or two bofore that!! Never get enough of SXM. Bye for now.

No more to follow....at least this trip anyways Night.

Thanks Ed for sharing your trip, read all your reports and made notes for places to visit on our next trip. TTOL is the next best thing to being there. We will return as soon as we are fully vaccinated. Just don't know when that will be up here in Canada. But when it does reservations will be made and the excitement of the countdown will begin.

Great ending!! But here is a suggestion. If you are going to do days before and after. Unless you mind packing and unpacking I would do 2-3 extra days before and then leave your timeshare on Friday, less packing and no rush to get out of the unit. We used to do that all the time with our timeshare.

Thanks for sharing your trip, Ed!! All of us waiting for that next trip really appreciate it!

Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip! we enjoyed each report. John

Thanks Ed. Enjoyed your reporting

Thanks Ed, and thanks for dealing with all the testing questions!

We are still dealing with that and hoped that they would have changed vaccinations into
enough for traveling to SXM. Next time!!!

We have enjoyed - thanks for sharing.

Thanks EdB for sharing your trip. Your info is going to be helpful for others traveling to SXM soon.

Thank you Ed for posting so much valuable information. We will be there 2 weeks from today and it seems a little intimidating...not like the usual breeze of going. But we are beyond excited to finally be going back. We usually go there 4 times a year, and we just got back to USA March 2020 right before the shutdowns. I remember being in Atlanta airport on our way to Buffalo when the international flights were stopped and the NBA was stopping..as everything else. We were fortunate because we had friends from Canada that were stranded there for a couple weeks. I printed out some of your information, so again, we thank you.

Ed - Thank you for all the great reports. I enjoyed going along with you and appreciate the time you took from your vacation to keep us informed.

To everyone.

It was my pleasure.

Ed
It was a pleasure meeting you and Audrey. Tomorrow is our last day. Had our covid tests yesterday. Arrived at the Red Cross tent at 10:55 and back on the road to Le String at 11:10. Very efficient. Hope to see you again next year.

Beth and Steve