Flights.AA using FF miles from MSP. Utilized a free stopover for four days, driving from Miami to Key West to celebrate our anniversary, and then returning to Miami for a great non-stop flight to SXM. One item is worth noting. The Miami International Airport Hotel is a great option for a one-night layover in Miami. We had a newly renovated room, checked into our flight early, and then enjoyed a great breakfast on the top floor restaurant. Their lobby is in the terminal. Our room looked out at the runways, yet we never heard an airplane!

Our first return flight was cancelled (due to the runway lights), and the thought crossed our mind that you can “throw your luggage down, loose your cool and stomp around (there was one man who did this) but there ain’t no plane on Sunday, maybe one come Monday!” Hey, this gave us nine additional hours in paradise, though put us on a return flight with a screaming child in the row behind us (another story entirely). The good news, they put us on Norm and Betty’s flight, so we had to enjoy more quality time together with (a) the screaming child, all the way through baggage claim and customs; and (b) Miami customs! It also gave us one more goodbye and another hug!!

Car Rental – With high recommendations, we reserved a car through St. Louis Rental. Unfortunately for us (and for several others), we were told that Marius hadn’t been at the airport all day on Superbowl Sunday. We had rented chairs from Packlight, who offered to call him for us. They told him we were supposed to have arrived on Saturday, however Bob told him he was reading their email confirming Sunday as our arrival date. “We have no car for them” was their response. With Gary sitting in the beach chair in the parking lot with our luggage, I returned to the terminal! LeRoy at Paradise Rental came to our rescue, not only getting us a car on the spot, but also matching the rate.

We stayed at LeBijou, a lovely home in Monte Vista, which feels like returning home. The view over the harbor is amazing, and we enjoy the morning activity of the cruise ships arriving, and the wonderful sunsets. The two weeks were off to a great start after all!

We both agree that this was the most relaxing trip we have had. It was very simple. Our morning decision consisted of which beach to return to (usually Mullet). Evening decisions were of where to dine, and did we want to go to a casino after!! Yes, the traffic has worsened, but we were on vacation and even that could not ruin our moment (some of the moments very lengthy!). If the bridge was up, we’d try to find a place for a cold one, sometimes more. We really were on island time. Some days we didn’t get back from the beach until dark!

The highlights were many, but the island people and the friendships we have made over the years stand out at the top. Our evening at Pegleg with Norm, Betty, Wayne and Louise was priceless. I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt. Our day trip on the Celine with Louise and Wayne was an all-trip highlight. The mud baths on Tintamarre left our skin feeling like baby’s bottoms, the sun and perhaps the liquor, left our cheeks glowing! In addition to a perfect day, our meal prepared and served by Neil and his crew on the Celine was the best food we had on the island (and we had lots!). The Spanish Paella rivaled any I had eaten in Spain.

Perhaps as a result of the frequent, but short rainfalls, the island looked fantastic and so green! Leaving the tundra and the word “wind chill” behind, the beauty of the flowers, the foliage, and of course the turquoise waters were mesmerizing. We had heard from many that the winds on Orient were brutal, so we never made it there this time (a first without a Baywatch fix). We went to Mr. Busby’s for breakfast one day, and Dawn Beach looked like the Hawaiian Pipeline! The weather was different than February’s past, locals telling us that the December winds arrived late, but still near perfect for us!
Belinda & Gary