So it's come to this. Eighteen days of sun and fun are done. And believe it or not, even I am ready to go home. John, on the other hand, was ready a week ago but he's a really good sport. And it helped that we saved BSV for last. He's enjoyed watching the boats off the rear porch and the planes out the front door so this has really been the best of both worlds for him.

Today we got an early start - last day and all and we needed to make a quick trip into town to take care of some unfinished business so we had coffee in and headed to P'berg where we had breakfast again at the Barefoot Terrace. Good but not as good as last week. And then, it was off to see my favorite jeweler. Chores done in town, we headed home doing some errands along the way. Gassed up the car at Sol in Simpson Bay - the attendant was very nice and even broke a hundred dollar bill for us, along with making a point of thanking us for the tip.

Home finally to laze around the pool and porch....made some sandwiches in for lunch and actually took afternoon naps out there on the porch. The beach is getting a little narrower every day here but there's still plenty and since no ones going in the water anyhow, it's a non-issue for the most part. And there was almost no seaweed last night or all day in most areas of the beach around here, though I can't speak for anywhere else.

When we came through Maho Bay on our way back from dinner, I noticed a fairly decent sized beach on the Royal Islander side of Maho but almost nothing in the middle and over to SSB&G - maybe room for one chair at the top by the road and the rest of the beach appeared to be down to mostly boulders again, but we all know how the sand comes and goes there.

We had a delicious dinner at Le Moulin Fou, one of our favorites ever since it opened. Cheri's is closed on Tuesdays so we were able to dine outside and enjoy the gentle breezes and the night air. We were shocked at how dead Maho was, and for that matter, P'berg was too this morning. The low season is definitely here and the shopkeepers and many of the independent businesses are really feeling it.

So that's about it. Tomorrow is our travel day so I guess that means I need to get started packing up some of the 'stuff' that's accumulated around the apartment and discover how much of a struggle it's going to be to get it all neatly stowed away. And this, then, is the absolute downside to vacationing, for sure.

And as I say good night, I'm looking out the sliders here and gazing at a gorgeous still full moon glistening on the water. What a great ending to an already super trip........

Have a safe trip home. Again, I enjoyed being with you (in spirit) on this great vacation. Bring me along next trip. Until then..................................

Thanks so much for taking us along! Glad you seem to enjoy my favorite place in the world, BSV!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Bon voyage and here's to a (hopefully) uneventful trip home!

Pat, your daily reports have kept me going on our home stretch. I hope I can repay the favor by doing as close to daily reports as I can starting Friday.

Safe travels!

A wonderful trip, to be sure. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. Safe travels home.

Safe travels. I really enjoyed tagging along on your trip.

Wow that sure went by fast. Living vicariously through your trip reports is always fun. 2 more days for us to experience for real. Safe journey home. The weather on the east coast has been gorgeous so you'll be coming home to more nice weather <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Thank you for all the trip reports. I enjoyed every word. You provided me my St Maarten fix every morning. First I would read your report & then check ticket prices for our Feb trip. I'm hoping they will go down but they haven't moved. Have a safe trip & enjoy the 80 degree temperatures in New England.

Thanks for sharing your trip with us Pat! Like the others it gave me my St Maarten fix as we ease back into the real world after our trip! So glad that you enjoyed BSV! It truly is a wonderful place! We love going from beach to pool there with a nap on the deck in between. There is nothing like the ocean side dining there!! Have a safe trip home!

Thanks for your reports. I really enjoyed each one you wrote. It is always sad to leave. When we visit, on our last day as we depart, my wife always tells me, 'if we don't leave we can't come back.' Have a safe trip home.

Connecticut is waiting for you! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
The weather is beautiful---a little rain this morning, but it will help with all those flowers growing.

I'm so happy we got to spend some time together--it was one of our favorite lunches. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Have a smooth trip home.

Thank you all for the kind words and good thoughts and it's been our pleasure having you along.

So far this morning we've watched the RC Oasis of the Seas pass by while enjoying our coffee on the deck - a pretty picture, for sure.

The waves are still pounding here with lots of lookers but no swimmers, and very little seaweed this morning.

And my only other observation is the sky seems to be getting hazy again so I guess the next round of Sahara sand is enroute. Either that or the dump is on fire again.......and I'd rule that out since there's no smell but I guess we figured out early on in this trip that I can't smell much of anything these days, right? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

And lastly, Saba? She never did come back and was only visible to us for about 48 hours this entire trip. But she will be back sooner or later, just like us I'm hoping!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Have a safe trip home. Temperature predictions for the weekend up to 80 in NE so bring some croissants with you and sit outside and pretend you're still in SXM.....sorry can't arrange for some boats to pass for hubby but maybe a plane or two.

safe trip home, pat and John.. it was nice seeing you

Thank you Pat, your reports have sweetened Dot's morning coffees.

Thanks for all your reports- it's finally spring up here so you're good to come home.

Thank you for taking us along, Pat. Will miss your posts from the island.

Safe travels.

Thanks for all your daily updates...they were enjoyable to read.....

I have enjoyed your reports so much..like being there myself. Guess we should save money and just re-read your posts when we need our island fix but it is only 22 more sleeps for us and it wings in the air. Safe travels home.

If the day ever comes that you do not visit SXM we will need to pay your way just to be able to read your wonderful observations and to share your days. It is the next best thing to going ourselves!!

Pat I thoroughly enjoyed your reports and will miss them. Thanks for sharing and making me wish it was November! Save travels home and can't wait for your next trip!