I see that some of you like to live vicariously through others so I thought I would contribute. I will share my thoughts on places we visit and please remember these are only my opinions based on a single particular visit. I don't sugar coat and I am not one of those to say everything is perfect. There is always room for improvement in anything and there are always good points about everything!

We started early Saturday trying to make a 06:55 flight travelling with my 83 year old mother. I planned on only one checked bag (24 inch to be sure we would stay under the weight limit) for the 3 of us, one carryon and one personal item per person. I bring this up only because my mother usually goes on car vacations with us with 2 suitcases and her beloved Samsonite hard beauty case. I told her that wouldn't do and to use a shopping tote to put her purse and meds in and stick with the carryon only. Well, she sent over 2 grocery bags full of stuff to put in the checked bag and the shopping tote she used was almost as big as the carryon and heavy to boot. In other words she couldn't carry anything! It was such a struggle to just get from the car into the airport (and Charleston is a small airport) that I paid to check the 24 inch and then gate checked all three carry ons to be picked up again at SXM. She could not raise her arms in the scanner so had to be patted down and swabbed for explosives. Well, her metallic painted sandals did not pass, which necessitated a supervisor to decide what to do. Luckily they let her through. I can only guess it was that finish on the sandals. In Miami they met us with a wheelchair and someone escorted her all the way through several Airtran stops to the next gate. When we landed in St. Maarten again we were met with a wheelchair and bypassed the line through customs. I have to say the service we received from American Airlines and/or the Airports regarding wheelchair assistance was very good. They really took care of a mobility impaired person.

Even though we landed 15 minutes early it took 45 minutes to get our luggage as the conveyer belt died for some reason. This was when I got my first lesson in St. Maarten time and philosophy. I was worried that the person meeting us from Unity Car Rental would have to wait so long that I asked a young man if I went outside the exit to let them know could I get back in. His response was that I should relax on my vacation and they were being paid to wait.

When we finally did exit I did not see a sign for Unity but when I asked the first person I saw he knew exactly where they were. All of the company representatives obviously know each other and cooperate with each other. Very refreshing.

We loaded into a van and took the short drive to a place under a big tree to get the car. Everything went smoothly but I was frankly surprised that we did not do a walk around the car. I drove to get a rental phone from QueenofSXM and shot a short video of the car with my cell phone to document it's condition. It is a pretty beat up Corolla but quite serviceable.

I was quite frankly confused by Sharon's website as I thought data would be 0.55/day but apparently that is only for internet "access" and the actual data is extra at 16.95. I had wanted it so that I could use GPS but after weighing the additional cost decided not to even get the smart phone and just get the regular phone. At this time of year I can definitely say you need phone access as we are indeed running into places being closed for vacation. I am learning to call ahead. We are deciding where we may want to go in the evenings at the Atrium and I am using my Ipad to map out the routes then writing them down for use the next day. So far so good.

My mother was so worn out and her legs so swollen from the trip we left her at the Atrium and went around the corner to Market Garden to get basic groceries. That was where my education on island living continued. As we were walking out I was concentrating on my own fatigue and did not acknowledge the lady sitting by the door. I heard her say something and it filtered through after I had gone a few yards that she said something about me just walking past like she was invisible. In the States that would be the norm but not here. I turned around and went back to her, introduced myself, and apologized for being rude. Since then I have greeted everyone and been met with smiles all around.

We ended up going to the Greenhouse to eat dinner. 2 for one drinks and my first Caipirinha Cocktail. Holy cow was it strong! And very tasty! We shared very sweet and delicious fried plantains, beef nachos and chicken potato skins. Portions were so big the 3 of us could not finish everything. While I loved the plantains, the nachos were meh. The beef was pretty bland, the sour cream was that packaged not dairy fresh type, and the guacamole also seemed like it came out of a bag. The potato skins were better but the chicken seemed like dark meat which some people may not like. Service was very friendly and knowledgable and our server gave my husband hints about making sure he would get Prime Rib on Thursday of which he is very much looking forward. There was a live band playing at the Buccaneer beach bar next door and they were very good. The total bill for 3 apps and 4 drinks came to only $38, quite reasonable for 3 people.

Sunday was spent visiting the Cost U Less and the Grand Marche next to it. My husband has to have soda and it was a good 50¢ less each plus we bought snacks and a few items to cook in the timeshare. The Grand Marche proved to be good also as we were choosing the house brand Carrefour items, which I learned about from TTOL. However the lack of any English on labels was really throwing me. I took French in high school but that was a very long time ago. I was definitely shopping by picture.

We went swimming at the beach in front of the Atrium. The water is too stirred up so not clear but was enjoyable. I saw my first frigatebird! It was fishing alongside some brown pelicans.

Dinner was at the Bavarian Restaurant. We sat outside and had the place pretty much to ourselves. My mother is German so we definitely wanted to try it as Charleston has no German restaurants. The first thing I found surprising was that the waitress did not know any German or even what the items were in German, which is how we were ordering. We had to restate evrything in English even though the menu lists both names. I had the roast pork as what I really wanted was the Spaetzle. It came with gravy and a side of red cabbage. The cabbage was the highlight. We all three loved it. The spaetzle was a dud for me as I have made it at home and I guess I prefer it browned in butter. The pork was okay, good but not great. My mother got the Rouladen which came with very good homemade fresh buttery mashed potatoes. Again the meat was good but not great. The winner was my husband's special of Beef Stroganoff. It was delicious with sherry or cognac in the sauce. Yum! The owner came out to check on us several times and spoke in German to my mother but mom has been in the States since 1950 and age is playing a role I believe as every other word was coming out in English. Of course, what is amazing to me is that she thinks in both languages at the same time.

Monday we ate breakfast and discovered very small miniscule ants on the kitchen counter. It didn't look like they were able to get in any of our foodstuffs but we let the front desk know. I will say a little about the Atrium now. Originally I had booked a 3 BR penthouse but they are being renovated so Festiva moved us to a 2 BR and a 1 BR. I assumed they were on the same floor but no, the 1 BR is on 5 and the 2 BR is on 4. My mother is in the 1 BR this week and next week my son and his girlfriend will take that unit while my mother and daughter are with us in the 2 BR. Not ideal as I had wanted all of us under one roof but then again I bet my son and his girlfriend will much prefer this arrangement. Both units have the same kitchen and living and dining areas although the floor space is a bit smaller in the 1 BR. The 1 BR has a better bathroom IMO as it has drawers while my bathroom does not.

The 5th floor definitely has the better view as it is above the tall palm that is blocking our view. I bet we would have loved that 9th floor PH view but oh well. These renovated units are nice. The staff here is excellent. When we checked in the man who helped us with our luggage noticed my mother struggling and mentioned they had a wheelchair. They have loaned us a wheelchair to use throughout our stay and it came in very handy when we went to Front Street today, although St. Maarten is definitely not governed by the ADA. There were times my husband had to wheel her into the street because the sidewalk was impassible.

No cruise ship in port today so most places were giving discounts. We were basically by ourselves most of the time so were being hit upon by every store we passed. I am not a jewelry person and everyone was appeased by a polite no thanks. I don't mind being approached every 2 feet because I know that's how they make their living. We went to the Guavaberry Emporium and tasted several rums, buying an orange one and the package of 12 minibottles to pass out at home as circe's.

It was almost unbearably hot and humid. We were really looking forward to eating at Chesterfield's and I had not thought to call ahead as I found nowhere on their web site where it said they were closed. Well, they're closed until Sept. 25. Luckily I found this out before entering the parking lot as there was a paper sign on the gate saying it was closed. We were so sweaty and hot by this point that we drove back to Simpson Bay, thinking we would just eat in the Condo.

While passing Pineapple Pete's I saw an empty parking space and on a whim pulled in. I had the Monday special, shrimp in a rose sauce over linguine. It was very good although the shrimp were typical gulf shrimp. My husband had the cheeseburger which was huge but seemed to be one of those preformed frozen patties you can get. My mother had the pork with mushroom sauce special. It was salty and the potatoes were definitely not as good as the ones from Bavaria House. Service was good. There was no soap and no paper towels in the bathroom, definite negatives. Again portions were so huge we had leftovers.

At 5:00 pm the Atrium had a guest reception where local vendors passed out info, talked to you a little, etc. There was very strong rum punch, white wine, red wine, wings, meatballs , amazingly good cheeses, fruit, etc. There was live music with a duo who were pretty good. There was a raffle and we won a bottle of red wine and a print by a local artist, Ruby Bute, of which I am very happy!

This ends my report so far. If you have any questions please ask. So far I am very happy with the Atrium. The people are super friendly and helpful. Although of course there is a deposit I am still amazed they saw a need for that wheelchair and volunteered that they had one. The only drawbacks to this place is that the front drive is not at all handicapped friendly as there is no ramp but steps with no hand rails and the corridors to the rooms are exceedingly hot, hot, hot. The elevators are slow so when we are not with my mother we run up or down the stairs just so we don't have to wait another second in the heat oppressive hall. Internet access, at least on the 4th floor is pretty strong. It is good enough to surf the web although even short videos are buffering. The beds are very comfortable. Every service issue we have had, no matter how small, has been tended to very promptly.

Thanks for sharing your trip with us all and you're correct - many of us do choose to enjoy the island through the trips of others until it's our turn again.

The islanders will always appreciate that little extra smile and greeting and may be rather outspoken towards you if you ignore those pleasantries. But in general, over so very many years of visits, we've always found the people to be pleasant and helpful and when you take the time to really get to know them, their laughter is infectious and sense of humor is unparalleled.

Glad things are going well and will look forward to your next installments. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for a lovely detailed report!We have always found the staff at the Atrium very friendly and professional and happy to hear you are also enjoying your stay there. Looking forward to reading the remainder of your trip report as you complete it.

Thanks for your report. Bavaria has been there for a long time and is usually pretty good.

You will not find the same ADA amenities on SXM you find in the states. There has been improvements but you will not find lifts at the pools, etc.

The rental car guys do all pretty much know each other and most are pretty relaxed about inspections.

Glad the Atrium is working out for you, although the penthouse units there are REALLY nice and BIG.

Great report!

I can really relate to the mother's metallic shoes. I've been traveling for 52 years and pride myself on doing all the right things to expidite the trip. Pack light, easy on/off shoes etc.

Last trip I set off the alarms and went through what the mother did. It was my blouse. It had metallic threads. That had never entered my mind.

Thanks so much for week one of the report!! Enjoy the rest of your stay!

Sorry for your sake that you missed staying in a penthouse. I think there is more than one?? We are supposed to be in a penthouse in March, so I'm hoping it will be renovated!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for taking time to post an interesting report. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.

Love reading trip reports and yours is no exception. Thanks for your reviews so far.

Great report! Thanks for taking the time...