Saturday July 7. The 10 of us met the representative for the two villas that the adults would be staying in for the next week, they are La Croisette a 4 bedroom villa and located 2 lots away is La Provencale a 5 bedroom villa in Terres Basses. The pictures at Villas in Paradise do not do these villas justice. They are outstanding, beautifully decorated with lovely pools. The pool at La Provencale has two tables with chairs in the pool. The Kids wanted to know why they had to stay in the slums. At 12:30 we drove the kids to the airport to check them in, they were going back on American Airlines. Everyone but a daughter’s boyfriend was checked in. It was discovered that he had booked his return flight on Sunday not Saturday. He was stuck in Paradise with the adults for one more day. We said our good byes and went to the arrival area as the first group of adults were coming in on the United Flight. When they arrived I went back to Unity Car Rental and exchange a Toyota for a van. We arrived back to the arrival area just in time for the rest of the group to arrive on an American Airlines flight. While we were walking to the parking lot my cell phone rang. It was the oldest daughter advising that their flight was being delayed for mechanical problems and they were not going to their connection in San Juan. My wife freaked out. The kids had to stay in the secured area and deal with American Airlines gate counter there were about 100 people in line. My wife must of spoke to the kids 20 times and to make matters worse the kids were using our US cell phone. I do not want to see the international charges. Finally everything was worked out. The kids flew to San Juan late and where up graded to Business Class to a flight to Baltimore. They were met by family members. The adults started to unwind. One of several grocery stores runs were made, the following was obtained the first run. 4 cases of Carib, 4 cases of water, 2 packs of eggs, 2 packs of bacon, 4 rounds of cheese. 8 bottles of wine, a bottle of gin, vodka, rum, tequila, 4 bags of chips, dip. The Carib ran out by noon on Sunday. We all went to Talk of the Town for dinner, there were 3 bottles of wines and several rounds of beer bought with dinner <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />. The bill for 15 people was $245.00 with tip.

Sunday July 8, A morning grocery run, food and more Caribs, Took the last kid to the airport and another couple showed up making it 16 adults. Spent the rest of the day at Plum Bay a nice deserted beach only 8 other people at the beach. Almost every morning the ladies walked to Plum Bay for their daily walk. That evening everyone was at La Provencale for dinner. The men from La Provencale cooked Shish-Kabobs, and challenged the men from La Croisette.

Monday July 9, Another grocery run. Most of the day was spent a Baie Rouge a beautiful beach, with great snorkeling. The chairs and umbrella are 5 dollars. The two beach bars are very good plus no problem bringing the coolers on the beach. We almost lost a member of the party, he went snorkeling by himself and hooked up with two other people he followed them around the wall and through the cave, from that cave you can see a second cave that has two parts. He went through that cave and started back. The other two snorkelers started back our member followed. He got tired and had to swim to the beach. We got worried when he did not make it back. A couple of us went looking for him and found him beached. I had to make another run to the airport for the last couple a total of 18 of us. I had hired the St. Martin Rhythm Boys to play at the villa. I had found this band the last time we were in St. Martin they were playing at Buccaneer Beach Bar at a TTOL gathering. I had gotten their business card from their leader Bernard and arrange for them to play. Dinner was great, Beer Butt Chicken, wings, ribs, pasta salad, potatoes. Did I mention that one of the women is a gourmet chief she made home made key lime pie (my favorite) it was to die for.

Tuesday July 10. No grocery run today. We all (but one) went to Le String (Orient Beach). Ray greeted us and we had a great time. He was unable to put 17 people together. The drinks were cold and the food was good. The water and weather was great. We had to leave early 3PM, Ray wanted to know if we were coming back. We all decided to return on Thursday Ray stated that he would have a surprise for us. We went back to the villas to change we were going on the Pub Crawl. One of the ladies is a graphic designer and had made tee shirts for us to wear. On the front it says George’s Retirement Bash. It was hilarious seeing 18 people walking through Skip Jacks in blue shirts with George’s Logo on it. While waiting for the Celine (boat) to arrive we of course bought drinks at the bar. One lady asked a group member where Georges was as she had heard good things about it. Neil arrived with the Celine he introduced himself and was ready for 18 crazy Americans. I have forgotten his first mates names, but she stated that she was a true southern belle, she was from Cape Towne South Africa. The first stop was Peg Leg Pub, they served swordfish and beef tenderloin the food was excellent. The second stop was Shrimpys and I believe the food was a fish kabob. The drinks were good and cold. I am pretty sure the food was good because I did not get any. The third stop was back to Skip Jacks. We had wings and shrimp. The food was very good. Our designated drivers drove us home.

Wednesday July 11, Another grocery run. This was the first down day, people were moving a little slow, a group of us went to Baie Rouge while the rest hung around the pool. Another cook-out dinner at the villa

Thursday July 12, A group went to Phillisburg to shop while the rest of us went to Le String. We got there at 10 AM, Ray had made a sign welcoming the retirement party and had given us prime location on the beach. By 12:30 the whole gang was there. We stayed to about 5PM. At 4:PM foot rubs were given to the girls. I observed a familiar face at the bar, it was Andy from Baywatch. We had a nice conversation. After Andy left pictures were taken behind the bar with everyone including the favorite bartender. We then drove to Talk of the Town for dinner. I had Red Snapper one of the best that I ever had. Again dinner was around $200.00 less drinks this time.

Friday July 13, What a bummer of a day, the vacation was ending. Most spent the day at Baie Rouge while the others shopped. For some unknown reason another beer run was made. We drove to Peg Leg Pub for dinner. A quiet night at the villas.

Saturday July 14, We had a mission this morning to finish the Caribs bought the day before. You will be glad to know it was accomplished prior to leaving to the airport. Three cars and a van arrived at the airport. The airport security/tow truck followed us in. As one car empty he demanded us to move or be towed. One by one we drove to Unity and said good-by to our well used cars. They drove us back to the airport in our van. No problem with the flights everyone got off on time.


Overviews.

We used Villas in Paradise, Marilyn Pulito to reserve the villas. Marilyn is a TTOL sponsor and a wonderful person to work with. She knows what is going –on, on the island. She would not lets us rent a certain villa because it had not been keep up. I would recommend her to everyone.

Unity Car Rental we now have used them 3 times and have not had a problem, good prices and good service.

Le String an Outstanding beach bar, what a find, and just a few yards from Bay Watch.

Bay Watch the food and service is always Outstanding.

Talk of the Town a great LOLO.

The Rhythm Boys a good Island Band

The only real trash I saw on the Island was at Galion Bay. It is a beautiful beach but the shore is lined with trash. Not a good place for the family.

This was a vacation of a life time for me, I have many wonderful memories that I will cherish. But I am worried about the Island and violent crime. As I noted in the earlier posting I retired after 34 years as a police officer. I was in charge of the robbery and homicide unit. Violent crime is definitely on the up swing on the island. The governments must do something about it. I want to be able to go to an island and enjoy the culture. I do not want to go and stay in a compound, like other island.

I also want to thank the members of this board who post. I made decisions on commitments that were posted. This was an almost perfect vacation. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/pirate.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/pirate.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/pirate.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/pirate.gif" alt="" />


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