So excited. About to embark on our 18th trip to SXM...here we go.

July 17, left home for Newark, NJ airport. Arrived at Ramada Inn at 6 pm; had dinner and turned in early.

July 18. Up at 4 am for 5 am shuttle. The airport was very busy and it took a bit of time getting through check in and security; however that task was easier to take knowing our destination!
The flight was 30 minutes late leaving and was overbooked. We arrived on time to Lesley's smiling face, signed the paperwork for the car, and were off. Took the new causeway (awesome); 10 minutes to Marigot and 25 minutes to Orient. We checked in at Club Fantastico (our home for 7 nights). Ventured down to the village and had lunch at Le Macaron. Two sandwiches, one beer, one soda, about $14, no service charge. We picked up some groceries at Petit Casino for breakfast and lunch. That evening, the hosts at Club Fantastico, Chloe and Thierry, hosted a birthday party for: Thierry, Iain and my hubby, Larry. They all share birthdays close together. This happened to be a great way to kick off our vacation. Thierry and Chloe are wonderful folks and know how to care for their guests. I cannot say enough about that! By the way, Thierry will have you laughing and smiling the entire time (no matter what!).

July 19. Off to Phillipsburg, heading to Caribbean Gems. Had to have a ring resized; hubby bought himself a new watch for his b-day and I bought a pair of gold hoops. Marc, at Caribbean Gems, is wonderful and provides great service and value. Returned to Club F for some time at the pool. Dinner was at Temptation, per hubby's wishes for his birthday dinner. You certainly cannot go wrong with Temptation. Larry had the vidalia onion soup and I had crab beignets, which when I bit into one, I swore I heard angels singing..Delicious. Next, I had the braised short rib; Larry had Chinese Duck Quack Quack! I mentioned to the waiter that it was Larry's birthday and when she brought our dessert, it was topped with a sparkler and the piano player began to play “Happy Birthday.” Nice touch. The dessert was Mr. D's Tempura Apple Pie. It was an outstanding meal; total was $162, with bottle of wine, no service charge. The staff and family at Temptation are so very warm and welcoming. Always enjoy it here!

July 20. Breakfast at Paradise View. Larry had the ham/cheese crepe; I had eggs; coffee and juice came to $37, no service charge. Still one of our favorite stops; great service. Stopped to chat with Bernadine and purchase some rum and make a donation for her care of the animals. Such a sweet woman and kind soul. Spent the day on Orient at Club O beach. Nice beach day; water was warm and inviting. That evening, our host, Thierry, and our friend, Iain, created a masterpiece for dinner – Paella! It was delicious; loaded with shellfish and other tasty ingredients. We feasted under the stars with some wine and good company. Hmm..shouldn't every day end like this?

July 21. We awoke to a nice surprise. Thierry was preparing breakfast for us! We had eggs and fresh croissants, fruit and coffee. And bonjour to you too! Went to Phillipsburg to pick up my ring and stopped in Marigot for lunch at La Belle Epoque. We had never stopped before, but glad we did this time. We had always enjoyed the marina, but in recent years it's beginning to really decline. However, on this sunny afternoon, it was beautiful. We shared a delicious Greek salad and pepperoni pizza. Possibly one of the best pizzas I've had on SXM! Beer and iced tea, $43, no service charge. Friendly service.




Dinner that night was dining by the pool at Club F. We picked up a rotisserie chicken from Simply, with cucumber salad and a bottle of Rose.

7/22. Orient beach all day. Lunch at Papagayo. Cheeseburger, teriyaki chicken wrap, onion rings, one beer and one iced tea for $43. On the way back “up the hill” stopped at Petit Casino for a bottle of red. One of the guests treated us to a homemade lasagna dinner; dining together was really nice with such wonderful people!

7/23. We tried the breakfast buffet at La Plantation. Pancakes, french toast and all regular breakfast items. Friendly service and a total of $32 (no service charge). On the way to the beach, we stopped at Le Macaron and bought sandwiches, chicken and beef, and one soda for $15. A bit windy on the beach today, but we hung in there cause a windy day on Orient is better than.....well, you get the picture. For dinner we drove down to Grand Case and stopped for take out at Sky's the Limit. Two rib platters and various sides for $20. Ate around the pool at Club F; bottle of cabernet from Simply. Had a nice swim in the pool after dinner.

7/24. Breakfast in room; lunch at Ethnic. Two French burgers, fries and salad, one drink and one iced tea. For dessert, we had to “share” a chocolate mousse. Hmm..maybe “share” is the wrong word..sharing with hubby means he tends to pull the dessert closer to his side of the table..lol. It was divine. $44 (no service charge). For dinner that night, all of Club F decided to order from Rancho del Sol as we were “exhausted” from relaxing and didn't feel like going out. It was quite the scene with all of us trying to decide what we wanted! We ordered two pizzas, one beef kebob meal, one chicken breast meal. Total of only $62, plus tip for delivery guy. The food was very good; had never had anything from Rancho del Sol; it surely hit the spot.

725. Today is packing up day and moving on to Club Orient. Sad to say goodbye to our loving hosts, Thierry and Chloe. Hopefully, we will be seeing them again next year. We so enjoyed our stay there. Checked into Club O around 1 pm. We were delighted to discover we had lucked out and got the studio we requested, #18, aka “the penthouse. For those of you who know this unit, you will understand our joy. Nicely tiled, huge shower (for two), comfortable bed, comfortable inside and outside furniture; kitchen nicely appointed, etc. Went and tagged our chairs for the week, steps from our door. Dinner at LePiment. They were very busy, however, Christelle still took time to welcome us and do her “reading of the specials board.” It seems our eyes were bigger than our stomachs this night. We shared an appetizer that could have fed Orient Village! It was St. Marcelin cheese encased and baked in pastry, served with proscuitto and a salad. It was tres bien. I had my favorite beef stew, and Larry had chicken breast stuffed with crab. I couldn't resist crème brulee (my favorite dessert). However, when it came out, I thought you must be nuts! That's huge. However, I bravely finished every last bite. With several drinks, bill was $127 (no service charge)

7/26. Into Marigot for breakfast and shopping. Breakfast at an old favorite, La Croissanterie. One continenal breakfast and ham and cheese croissant = 47 lbs. Of butter...oh yeah..$22 (no service charge and the owner there is so sweet). Went to market. Larry bought his annual t-shirt from the Secret Spot – they do such nice work on designs. Drove over to Cupecoy and bought groceries from Gourmet Marche.





We bought enough food for six meals, with three bottles of wine, for $105. I love the store; always nicely stocked, clean, etc. For lunch we had the leftover beef stew from LePiment! Still enough for two.

7/27. Today was another fine beach day; less wind. Lunch at LeString. One panini and one coconut shrimp with french fries and salad, two beers, two iced teas, for $37 (no service charge).
I cooked a steak dinner in #18 for dinner. Finished the cabernet and ended the night on our front patio with some Etna rum raisin ice cream...heaven..so relaxing

7/28. Another fine day in paradise. That evening we joined Iain and Myra (the goddess) at Calmos for dinner. Iain and Myra were going home the next day. One flank steak; one creole chicken, four frozen drinks and a beautiful sunset! $91 (no service charge). After dinner, we bid adieu to our friends from the north

7/29. Breakfast at La Playa. Nice spot and tasty breakfast. Good service. Pancakes, omelette, juice and coffee $18 (no service charge). Tonight was wine and cheese at Papagayo. I bought myself some more trinkets from the merchants there that night. We had dinner in our room that night.

7/30. Another beautiful morning. However, try as I might, I could not rouse myself to take a beach walk with the hubby. I haven't slept this well in ages! (probably since our last visit). I think I slept 12 hours a night! My husband walked the entire length to Mt. Vernon. This is notable because he wasn't able to do that the past few years due to a back problem. Now that was fixed with surgery!! Yay for him. (I was still snoozing, however, he told me all about it when he got back). Today's lunch at the Perch; hotdog, hamburger, fries, $24. We used our “free” drink coupons today. Finished lunch just in time for happy hour! Dinner was two barbecue chicken platters from Scoobie's $20.

7/31. Our last full day..boo hoo. Larry treated himself to a massage courtesy of Nathalie at Club Orient. He was so relaxed, in fact, he sorta resembled Gumby when he got back! We spent the rest of the day on the beach and relaxing until sunset. Dinner tonight was at Papagayo. We shared a wedge salad. I had steak and shrimp oscar and Larry had duck breast. Two iced tea, one gin. $88. It was a very enjoyable meal. Ended the night on our back patio, under a starry sky, enjoying a bottle of pinot grigio.

8/1. Hubby had me up at the crack of dawn!! Okay, I promised him one beach walk. Off we go, as I rub my sleepy eyes. We had croissants and pastry in our room and left around 9 a.m. We dropped off the phone for Sharon and checked in very quickly at the airport. We drove to the airport via the new causeway and it worked out great. Had lunch at the new Johney Burger and I have to say, one of the best hamburgers I've ever had! Crazy, I know, but it was really, really good. Larry had a chicken sandwich, both came with fries. They are doing lots of work at the airport and adding more restaurants and shops. All in all, a fantastic two week trip to one of our favorite places! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />