We started our trip Boston to PR, to SXM, We always go on AA, but this time tried Jet Blue. Easy flight and on time. We arrived and Unity was waiting for us, one, two, three and off we go. We went around thru Mullet, Marigot and just glad we were back. Came to a complete stop with the traffic, where there was construction. We did not care, just kept looking out the window, and saying, finally we are back! We were staying on the French Side.

Check in to L'Hoste, We stayed there back in 2006, then changed to Alamanda. We toured L'Hoste in May and met the new manager. We fell in love with her and booked it. Our room was ready and our vacation started. We were too tired to shower, so we just walked to the square and ate at TaiChi. As we were finishing the owner came over and said no water. What, no water where. No water on the French side. Okay, no problem, we are tired so we'll just go to bed.

Thursday am, up, sunny and ready to shower. No water still. Tough to brush teeth, but we did the best we could. Had breakfast and in the ocean we go. We took a break from the sun and walked over to Bread & Cake. Bought water, slices of pizza and talked to the locals. They said water would not be back on until 7 pm. Ugh. We have to figure something out. Took a shower on Wed morning at 5:30 am.

We packed an overnight back and into the car. We went to L'Esplanade and they had 2 rooms left. They had a loft or the suite. Hubby had knees replaced so really did not want to look at loft. Took suite. Wonderful lady asked, do you want to see it, no we really don't. We just want to shower, but we could not tell her that. We took it and for $ 416.00 for one night, we were in fantasy land. It was a one bedroom and it had a view to die for. We could have had every one from the hotel, in for dinner. The kitchen and appliances were spectacular. They had music on a CD, playing soft french music. They had munchies in a basket on the counter and the refrigerator was stocked with all kinds of sodas, and water. The shower was built for 2. It was gigantic. The water pressure was just what we both needed. We showered and got dressed, but did not want to leave this property, knowing we only had one night. We went to dinner and came back, to a a king size bed, with the most beautiful bedding on it. We put the TV on, kept the curtains open to see the view, and off to dreamland, since it was a long 2 days. The one thing it did not come with was breakfast. What for $416, for a night, you have to order breakfast before 8 pm and leave the card for them. We opted to go back to L'Hoste and have our free continental breakfast. More importantly, we wanted to see if the water was on. It came back on Friday at 6:15 am. Yikes, is all I can say. This suite was the one that Ed & Sandra always stayed in!

We had the most wonderful dinners. Starting with TaiChi, LeTestavin, LePiment, LaVilla, Little Italie, LeQuinze, LePressoir, Piazza Pascal, L'Astrolabe, and a small little local place in the cul de sac. We had wonderful duck, lamb, fillets, veal and fish all week long. We bought a few cold cuts and had them in the room, for lunch. We went to Waiki one day and had never been there for lunch. We had never been to LeQuinze in Grand Case, and fell in love with the food and owners. The daughter works at Sexy Fruits on Orient, and I took a walk the next day to see her. We also met a couple from our state who have been going there, since they opened. It is now on our list for next time we visit.

We saw Georgia & Dave on the beach. We met Paul and Josephine, and we saw Terry & Bob, who we met last year. We saw Mike & Diane and met Bill & Susie. We had drinks at the Grand Case Beach Club, where a wonderful couple we sat next to, showed us there room. It was beautiful.

We had mostly sunny days and at the end, we had a few rain showers. Nothing that kept us from staying at the beach. Monday am, with the morning showers, we took a ride to town. No ships in, and it was a pleasure, having it all to ourselves.

We truly had 10 wonderful nights at L'Hoste, met wonderful people and had delicious meals.