DISCLAIMER<br>This trip report is not responsible for: accuracies from the writer because of state of mind, or any anxiety attacks because of post SXM whithdrawls.<br><br>Pre trip: Bought Olympus digital camera per Larry S. example from July 4. Washed alot of clothes took few. Booked a car through Marius of St. Louis car rental. Last 2 trips AA flights had late problems (took 24 hrs to get home (and alot of arguing), missed flight coming in (missed car rental connection) etc.<br><br>Oct. 5<br>Early flight out of STL. Bad weather made AA reroute (said if we look to the left we could see New York). Landed in SJU caught the hopper flight by 2 minutes (hey at least we caught it this time) The new SXM immigration form asks alot of personal information now, even your e-mail address. http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA050001.jpg A rep. from STL car rental met us at the airport. Went to Ocean Club to fill out paper work. Was given a purple car (wow not white). BTW Heinekens are $1.25 at the office.<br>(sec.10 par.2a line 6h) We were told the night before the sister purple car they had was reported stolen. The renter also said his 3 cameras were stolen with it. Marius wanted the keys for the stolen car, but the renter said he didn’t have them. Something fishy??<br><br>Drove from the Lowlands to L’Host parking lot. I could see Cap Caraibe but couldn’t figure out how to get there. So after hopping a few fences and back tracking found the way. Lots of construction going on. Checked in to an Ocaen View room (means 3rd floor) Nice kitchenette, large shower 24 X 48 , all in all very pleased with the room.. <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA080032.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA080033.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA080034.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA080035.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA080036.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA090037.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA060004.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA060005.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA080032.jpg <br><br>Off to Simpson Bay via P’burg (full circle). Passed the new bowling alley, Bananas (which just reopened the day before) was very busy. On to Don Carlos for the Mexican Buffet.http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA050002.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA050003.jpg <br>(lasts till 10. Price $16.50, should have been $6.95 food was just OK. Look for Carl Walker (the owner)couldn’t find him so I found Margarettaville instead. Had a one man band in the bar. Seems everyone found Margarettaville, population 43.<br><br>Headed back to the Cap Caraibe at 10:30. Went for a walk on the deserted beach, warm breeze in the hair, waves lapping at the sand , sand crabs jumping into their holes. Next thing I knew I was at Papagayos. Headed back, the moon backlit the clouds and the hills on the West side of the island. Now thats worth going down for by its self.<br><br>Wandered around the hotel complex figuring out its layout. Time for bed, been along day on AA.<br><br>Oct. 6<br><br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA060006.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA060007.jpg <br>Watched the sun rise (6:10,wee have pic’s) then headed to Baywatch for B’fast. They were closed so off to P’burg. At the top of Cole Bay hill, cops everywhere. The were checking license plates. I guess the hand painted ones don’t get it anymore.Went to Barefoot Terrace for B’fast.(forgot how slow service is when tip is automaticly included). Boy was Front street dead, even a couple of the jewelry stores were closed (long live the boats I guess). Went to the electronic shops to see if I got a good deal on my new camera or not. Camera was priced $10 below to $40 more than Circuit City. The memory card ,16<br>meg, was $34 at CC in Klass it was $60. Also The floppy adapter was $68 at CC $95 at Klass. So I made a good buying choice.<br><br>Finally found a place that rented a ladder tall enough to reach the pineapple. Boy were the cops bitchy. Took ladder back.<br><br>Went to Monte Vista to take some pic’s of the progress of the new port facility. http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA060009.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA060010.jpg <br>Back to OB to layout at Baywatch, still closed.And so were about 6 other beach bars. Went to Pedro’s, which had no beach in front (just rocks, the last step was about 20” drop). The beach was very dead even the bathrooms at Pedro’s were closed (in the sense nobody taking money, bathrooms were opened).<br>Time for my Heineken constitutional to Papagayos to look for any TT flags.<br>Didn’t see any so back to the hotel and Wakiki bar for a cold one. The wife went to lay out on the beach chairs but soon came back. They wanted $20 to rent 2 chairs and an umbrella. Since it was 2:00 we both passed on that idea. Decided to clean up and try to put some faces to names. Off to Radio Shack, Barbara wasn’t there. Off to La Rosa’s talked to the father (Enzo wasn’t there yet) Next, SSBB, Neil wasn’t there yet but was coming. Neil showed up I introduced myself..<br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA060013.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA060014.jpg <br>NEILS & BYRONS BEST SIDE. Neil kept asking me if I wanted some black<br>socks (strange). He kept putting a beer in my face which I kindly gave back to him (empty). He said Byron would be there at 6:00. So we waited,had some free pizza . Byron showed up so we reminised for a while. Listened to the band. The pizza got us going on Italian food so off to La Rosa’s we went..<br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA060015.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA060016.jpg <br>Had a double helping of the tomato garlic melba toast appetizers, the penne arri??? and Sheryl had Fettucini alfredo and some iced tea ( about $42 with tip). Yes, back to SSBB for more music and leave some empty Heineken bottles. Stopped by Bananas. http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA060017.jpg on the way back talked to Bob (Dale wasn’t there) introduced ourselves. Watched alot of orders of garlic mashed potatoes being served. Headed back to the hotel. Boy what a day I could use a beer.<br><br>Oct 7<br>Off to Baywatch for B’fast. Just us and Andy. Beach is still quiet. Had a couple of omlets with Andy’s own hot sauce ($13).<br><br>Lost my virginity that morning. She was the spicest I’ve ever seen. She was kind and gentle and everything a man could dream about. The anticipation was more than I could bare. When I seen her I knew she was something special. My bodily awareness was at a height it has never been before. My teeth ached, my toes cringed my heart was racing, I was hyperventilating I could barely speak. I finally uttered the words “Give me another shot of Ma Dou Dou Ginger vanilla spice.”.<br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA070019.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA070020.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA070021.jpg <br><br>The Monarch was in today, normally in on Tuesdays, but the hurricane threat made them change the route. Black & plaid socks were everywhere. Went to Grand Case to make reservations for L’Alabama per TTOL BB popularity. Found out THEY were closed till Thurs (everybody’s closed!!). So, you guessed it. Back to OB, time for my Heineken constitutional. Looked for TT flags at CO, didn’t see any. On my way to Papagayos for another Heineken a man yelled at me. And said he knew that flag on my T-shirt and wanted to know if I was Eric Hill. Boy I had to think about that one for a moment. So many ways to go with this. But I said no he was here 2 weeks ago and introduced myself. His name was Brad from th DC area. He came down with 16 people to celebrate hurricane season. Is that living dangerously or what? Walked back to Baywatch..http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA070023.jpg A couple that Andy<br>& Cheryl hadn’t seen in 6 years showed up. Heard alot of reminising of the first Surf Club South. Like when Andy & Sheryl first met in SXM and the 100 old oak tree behind SCS and what was hanging in it. After 3 times looking for the old SCS we finall found it (or whats left). <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA080027.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA080028.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA080029.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA080030.jpg <br>Their friends were staying a Monte Vista where we usually stay. And of course heard some stories about that.<br><br>Decided to go to Mario’s Bistro for supper called at 5:00 for reservations, was sitting at a table by the water by 7:00 (hey I told you it was slow). I had the salmon and Sheryl had the marinated grilled chicken w/garlic mashed potatoes. To drink we had iced tea and warm apple torte for dessert. The bill was $ 75. Really thought the food was just fair. Byron and his wife Danielle showed up talked to them a little and left. Headed to L’Arawak for a drink and to people watch. Not many people to watch tonight , just 6 well wine endowed Frenchmen at the end of the bar. I wanted to help them but it had been a long day, losing my virginity and all. Back to the hotel. ZZZZZZZZZZZ<br><br>Oct 8<br><br>Went to COCO Beach Bar for b’fast ..<br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA080024.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA080025.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA080026.jpg <br>Very nice place, all painted up for peak season. Waitress was very “bubbly”. Had the “American breakfast” very good. Had croissants, bread, fruit cup,eggs, meat , hashbrowns, juice. $13 ea. If I would have thought it was that much I would have ala carte. Full Full full.<br><br>Found a note on the car after b’fast. It said to call Marius. So I did. He wanted me to bring the rental car back in. OK why?? Seems his uncle seen us driving in Marigot the night before, thought it was the stolen car (sec.10 par.2a line 6h) and promply called the police to find it. So he thought in leiu of us having free room in board on the French side he supplied us with a different (white) rental car and gave us credit for the last day. Off to OB seemed to be transition day. The taxis were dropping tourists off at Pedro’s.<br>dropped jaws everywhere. I laid out to get my last day sunburn. It makes everyone ask back at home “Have you been somewhere?” Ate ribs at Pedro’s ,watched the locals dance and sing (Sundays is their day at OB).http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA080031.jpg <br>Went back to Cap Caraibe to clean up for supper. Headed to Bananas to try some of their garlic mash potatoes. They’re closed on Sundays. #!*!. So OK back to Don Carlos. The bar was very packed. Everyone was watching our Cardinals win (hooray) and after watched the football game. Couldn’t see the wife for the margaretta glasses in front of me, so I figured it was time to go back to the room. More ZZZZZZZ!!!!!<br><br>Oct 9<br><br>The Fasination was due in today (seen from plane). Checked out of the hotel at 7:00AM Back to Don Carlos for b’fast (dish washer still washing margaretta glasses). Checked luggage at the airport. One person can check the luggage if they have the passport for both parties. Returned car,froze in the airport and finally an uneventfull flight home. Suprise Suprise..<br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA090038.jpg <br>http://www.newssor.com/SXM/Travel/trips/PA090039.jpg<br><br>I have some pic’s to integrate in the report and will do so when I get caught up .<br><br>Wendell & Sheryl<br> <br>The blacksocks and plaidsocks are coming!!!<br><br>And for anybody that is wondering -- yes, Wendell asked me to make the changes.<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Administrator on 10/24/00 02:25 PM.</EM></FONT></P>