We came to St. Martin from Tortola on June 19 for what has become our annual visit, arriving on a Winair flight with only a handful of people on it, and since we were later than the larger planes from the US and San Juan, no problem with lines at immigration. Alain's representative was waiting for us, and we were on our way to Grand Case Beach Club with just a short stop at the Cole Bay food center for a few things. The new security gates and surveillance cameras at GCBC made quite a contrast to our hotel on Tortola, where there were no locks on the doors. Our later experience further emphasized the difference between these islands.<br><br>To get the bad things out of the way, on our first night we experienced directly some of the crime that others have complained of from time to time. We didn't feel like going far to eat the first night, and were walking between L'Amandier and Calmos Café in Grand Case around 8:30 checking menus. As we passed a couple of people by a parked car, one of them grabbed a hand purse my wife was carrying and took off down an alley to the beach. There were a few dollars in the purse, but no credit cards or other valuables, and no one was hurt. A police car came by just a few minutes later and we flagged it down. They responded quite properly, took descriptions, and when a local said he saw a couple of guys going down the beach took off to try to find them. Of course we didn't expect them to be successful, but they were serious about trying. We did notice a lot of security people on the street during the rest of our stay, but the northern end of the street where this happened tended not to have much activity; it is an area where you need to be more careful than we were. In talking to people, we got the impression that things like this happen in Grand Case from time to time when security gets a little lax and someone comes in to take advantage. Now, having established that crime actually exists on St. Martin, I want to emphasize that this incident did not wreck our vacation, nor will it deter us from returning, and does not make us conclude that St. Martin is more dangerous than most highly touristed areas. It does make us more alert to the fact that a dangling purse coupled with a bit of distraction is an invitation.<br><br>We had dinner the first night at Calmos Cafe. They were very solicitous about our experience, and the food very good of its type for a reasonable cost.<br><br>Wednesday morning went to Marigot to look for a replacement for my wife's purse, then to Food Center and Match for supplies - for lunches, snacks, sodas, etc.; otherwise stayed at the Grand Case beach. Dinner at Bistro Nu in Marigot, one of our favorites. Tried kangaroo - a substitute for beef and rather tasty at that.<br><br>Thursday morning was mostly at Grand Case with the afternoon at Orient near Papagayo's. This end of the beach is still holding up, but the jet skis have migrated south of Pedro's and the area up to the Club O sign, which used to be pretty empty, is now full of rental chairs. We had heard of the beach erosion in the area of Pedro's, but were surprised at how ugly the beach just above Pedro's has become. Not only is the sand steep and narrow, but the buildings crowded together look pretty ratty. We only glanced at the rest of the beach during this trip; it looked OK further up but the extensive new construction immediately behind the beach is not promising; a local referred to part of it as a housing development. They are well on their way to ruining the beach as we have known it. (Some of it who knew it in the early ‘80's might say they did that 10 years ago.) Dinner was at Poulet D'Orleans, which someone on this board recommended. Very local style; tenderest conch that I have ever had, and very good creole fish. A family run place; our wait staff were the 2 sons about 12 years old and their teen-age brother. Got to sample their mother's hot pepper and mango preserves.<br><br>Friday went to the Old House museum, which has been set up and run by a descendent of one of the early families of the area. It is definitely worth a visit by anyone with an interest in history, or in rum. Try to avoid a time when school children are going through. We had lunch at Belle Epoch at Marigot marina, and spent a little time at the Le Galion beach. This is very nice, and attracts families and children. Dinner at Mark's Place. Excellent conch stew for both of us. Not as atmospheric as when he was in Cul de Sac, but in our opinion you can't beat the quality for the price, (at least, the Creole dishes, which is what we always have) and with the way it is now screened from the parking lot, not unpleasant surroundings.<br><br>Saturday went to Marigot market for some fruit (a large papaya) - they have really pushed the produce market out of the way to make room for more T-shirt stands. The afternoon was at Dawn Beach - the south end (furthest from Oyster Bay, which was Oyster Pond before it became upscale and became the Radisson) with lunch at Scavengers. This is a nice beach in a quiet area; in my view one of the beast places on the island in that respect. We didn't go to the Busby's/Ms. B's end, but almost half of that end of the beach is now covered with white umbrellas from Ms. B's. There have been some reports on this board about Busby's trying to put Ms. B's out of business; there is a second opinion on the island about just who is acting unethically if not illegally; at any rate judging from the size of the operation she isn't doing badly. Saturday dinner was at Shiv Sagar, an excellent Indian restaurant in Philipsburg; good vegetarian selections as well as chicken and meat dishes, and the best condiments and nan that we have ever had. We had no problem parking at night on Front Street right across from the restaurant, but you might have trouble further along.<br><br>Sunday we hoped to go to Don Carlos for lunch - kind of a tradition. However, they were closed - some signs of remodeling, but don't know if it will still be Don Carlos. Went to Turtle Pier instead. The afternoon was spent at Orient again.<br><br>Monday was spent checking out the Ma DouDou factory and some more food shopping, espressos at L'Ile Flottante, the little bakery at the foot of Grand Case, the Grand Case beach, and a before-dinner pastis at La Vie en Rose. Then dinner at Yvette's, another Orleans restaurant with great local foods (another version of stewed conch, kingfish for my wife). Had our annual "fix" of johnny cakes - a favorite of my wife's.<br><br>Tuesday morning was spent at Orient, and when we had enough sun went back to our hotel for lunch, then drove around a bit. Looked at the new cruise ship pier, but you can't go into the facility. Dinner was back at Mark's so my wife could have another conch stew; creole chicken for me was good too.<br><br>On Wednesday we took the ferry to Anguilla. Rented a car at the ferry dock (the cars you get here are generally pretty beat up, but we have always found them to run well enough). We had lunch at Shoal Bay, not at Uncle Ernie's, which gets all of the publicity, but at Le Beach Bar, which has the advantage that you can park right behind it - it is a few yards to the right along the beach. Also went into the Heritage Collection museum that is an interesting and well done collection of Anguillan relics and a survey of the history of the island. Dinner back on St. Martin was at La California. They have Bretonne style crepes that are delicious, as well as more traditional meals. Also a free after-dinner flavored rum.<br><br>Thursday - our last full day, alas. Spent some of the morning on preliminary packing, then went to Orient again. This time had lunch at Papagayo's; quite alright, but a bit expensive for what you get. Dinner was back to Bistro Nu again, this time for their excellent creole plate.<br><br>Departure on Friday was uneventful. We checked in at American mid-morning (no significant line) and had lunch (breakfast) at Rick's on Simpson Bay. The Caribbean French toast with bananas was extremely good. Then turned the car back to AAA. Flight to Kennedy was routine and comfortable; the flight to Albany was the expected hour-plus delay, but otherwise no problem, in contrast to our problems getting to Tortola at the beginning of our trip.<br><br>A few idle comments - restaurant prices seemed to be a bit lower than heretofore - better exchange rate? The easiest way to the Marigot waterfront is the newish road past the industrial area. Maho is being further built up with a new time share for which they are removing a hill. Roads are generally in good shape, and well signed, but traffic accidents seem to be getting more frequent.<br><br>And now we are counting down to spring 2002!<br><br><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Administrator on 7/6/01 04:15 PM.</EM></FONT></P>