We just returned from our second trip –July 21-29-- the last being in April. It seems as if coming to the island two times a year is now getting to be a habit. Wonder why.?

Flew AA with no complaints. This was an unplanned trip so we were not able to use FF and had to pay ($550-not bad). We left Hartford to San Juan with an hour lay over and arrived right on time. We used carry-ons, another first for us and definitely will never go any other way again. Rented from Unity, another first for us thought we would give another TTOL sponsor a chance, and had a great car, great price and great service. Would use him again.

We never use phones here but because we were traveling with my sister and her husband (Carol & Mike) (their first time away from home since their honeymoon) we rented from Sharon Harris. The phone was all set for us when we picked it up at the Royal Palm, filled out the little bit of paper work and was on our way. Made a fast stop at BBB for some Caribs and one of their great burgers then onto Oyster Bay Resort for a one night stay. Changed and was in the pool by 3 p.m.

Timeshare: We stayed at The Sapphire, because we own here, had requested two OCEAN front rooms but at check-in was told only one was available. Gave that to Carol & Mike and we were stuck in a lagoon room. Can’t always have what you want. The front desk was their usually snippy self but the rooms and everything else were in good condition. I think, we used the pool only once.

We hosted a TTOL party on July 23 at the BBB. Had a nice crowd and enjoyed putting names and faces together. Rich and Joanne, Maria and Brian, Mike and Sherry, Wendi (thank you Wendi for coming over-this was her first time to the Dutch side) Deepti, Carol and Mike and a few others whose names I can’t recall. Thank you all for coming.

BEACHES: Dawn Beach, enjoyed this first time visit. Nice and quiet and accessible to Mr. B’s. Baie Rogue, Coco Beach and Orient.

RESTAURANTS: Because Carol and Mike had never been here and this was like our tenth trip we tried to incorporate a little bit of everything into our plans.
Breakfast was spent at Mr. B’s, Turtle Pier, Sunset Café (@the Atlantis??) and a couple of places at Marigot harbor. Can’t go wrong with the good old American breakfast they all averaged out at $20-23 per couple a day.
Lunches: Baywatch, of course, Peg Leg and BBB
Dinners: We did a variety of places. Dingy Dock where you can always get a nice simple meal and always good for your first night there, was a chicken dinner for all of us, beers and a total of $50. The Greenhouse a couple of times for their happy hour and The Boathouse, where we hadn’t been in five years and all had great meals and everyone was completely different. That night there were 5 of us and our bill with complete dinners and beers were $115. Hit a few Lolos and BBB. La Gondola and Los Gouchos, both of these are our favorites and no matter where or what we do, we go there, and I think, now Carol & Mike’s. Mai’s in Marigot a fantastic French Vietnamese Restaurant with great food and great ambiance.

SHOPPING: Tried Ram’s, another first, and came home with a few bargains. Little bit here and little bit there. Hit the Belgium Chocolate on Old Street and Guaverberry stores. Introduced Carol and Mike to Deepti @DK Gems and came home with a beautiful sapphire pendant and chain. Always so much fun to drop in and see her and the family, they always make you feel so at home with the beers and the atmosphere. Carol enjoyed trying on some of the sparkling pieces and left with a very large wish-list for her next trip (think they fell in love w/the island).

Traffic wasn’t too bad, never had problems with the bridge openings, like we did in April and the crazy drivers. Hit the Atlantis Casino a couple of times but nothing to write home about. Overall, the weather was sunny, not too warm, about 88 to 90, not like here in Connecticut today. Had a couple of over-cast days, one complete washed out day of rain which was good for exploring the island and showing Carol and Mike around. We visited Pic Paradise [noon time] and tried to show them everything we could possible see in a weeks time and left for home trying to plan for next years trip. Just can’t seem to get enough of this island.