After a very early wake-up call and ride into the airport, we flew with our friends on JB, JFK to SXM r/t, and as flights go, it was incident-free - took off on time and landed early on both ends of the trip and immigration at both airports was fast and painless, too, though one question, IF anyone knows - why do they still make you fill out the blue US immigration entry forms coming into JFK and then not collect them? We had the same experience in April yet they're still handing them out on the plane and telling you to complete them before you reach the immigration hall.

We had no sooner walked out the airport door and felt that first blast of St. Maarten sunshine when Lesley Bruce met us and we were off in our trusty R24 grey Nissan. Let the vacation begin!

We had our favorite Towers apartment for two weeks and Jeannie had already been there and stocked the unit prior to our arrival. The unit itself is getting a little dated, but then, so are we, and I can NEVER get enough of that view. Our vistas range from the beach at Mullet and out to Maho, then over the airport runways and on to the Dutch and French hills, and as far as we can see there's Creole Rock off Grand Case, and Anguilla in the distance and all of Nettle Bay and then around to the interesting apartments at Point Pirouette. We have the best of all of it plus the golf course at Mullet as we enjoy our morning coffee or afternoon cocktails. It just doesn't get much better IMHO, unless perhaps the evening views of all those lights twinkling over a nightcap.

We experienced excellent weather for most of our stay although we did have one full day of rain off and on - mostly on, but we were able to amuse ourselves and chances are the day out of the sun was a good thing. The island was green and lush with an abundance of beautiful island flowers everywhere. The breezes were such that we only needed the airco on one day out of the entire trip and for the most part, the moskies were a non-issue. And the traffic! OMGoodness, the traffic.....but I've seen worse and will again in the future, I'm sure.

We managed to see some old vacation friends, even if but briefly, but at least we got to say hi, and we managed our annual dinner with our island friends. There were a few we missed and I regret that but what can you do?!

We hit our favorite beaches, although now that I'm thinking about it, we only did Mullet with lunch at Rosie's once, and we thoroughly enjoyed some Towers pool time, too. The new find this trip was El Zafiro and my sincere hope is they pick up a little but not so much that it gets to be another Karakter with too many people, too many chairs and too loud music - and I know others might disagree with me on the Karakter representation but that's how I see it these days. And if EZ extends their menu just a bit, IMO, it will be perfect. Our day at Anse Marcel was near perfect and our boat trip on Sugar Rush to Rendezvous Bay was even better. I couldn't complain about any of it if I wanted to.

All in all, we ate too much, drank too much, laughed too hard, and loved every single moment of our two weeks of island time. I feel blessed to have enjoyed our trip and all our friends and now we look forward to an even better trip in April. And while I'm at it, as I try to finish up all the odds and ends left undone before we headed for our island time, and I prepare to launch into Christmas and what I refer to as the Birthday Season in my family, I'll extend a big Merry Christmas to all of you and my good wishes for a healthy and happy New Year, too. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Pat,

Thanks for your reports! I enjoyed reading them. In regards to the CBP paper declaration forms, I don't understand that either. I don't think the airlines realize its all done electronically now on the kiosks. When we came back from SXM to Charlotte in October, the flight attendant was handing out those forms and knowing the kisoks were being used, I told her I didn't need one. She looked at me like I was going to end up in jail or something <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> Sure enough, all the people that filled them out wasted their time as they weren't collecting them.

Pat....thanks for your GREAT posts. Sounds like you once again had a great time. Will have to try a couple of your new finds this March....Can't wait to get back there.

Merry Christmas to you and your family....and welcome home.

Thank you!

Thanks for your post. Sounds like a great trip. The vista from your apartment sounds awesome!

Thank you for your reports. We are looking forward to our annual trip (since 1984) in late Feb.

Thanks for taking us along! Merry Christmas to you and yours also!

Yes Pat. I hope El Zafiro makes it. It's a nice alternative to Karakter if you want more space and some peace and quiet. They had just finished refinishing the bar last time I was there. Limited menu right now but what's available is good.

They were painting the bar the last time we were there, and in spite of the complete disruption of the space, the service and food were great. Karakter has become a bit too crowded for my taste, so it's nice to have a roomier alternative in the same area.

Thanks again for all your reports; I felt like I was right there with you, and wished I was. I'll have to give El Zafiro another try; wasn't impressed last June. But I loved watching the dogs run up and down the beach! Merry Christmas to you, too!

Thanks for taking the time to post all the reports. They were a great read and we got some ideas for our April trip.

Thank you to taking the time to take us along with you on your trip. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Perfect ending to a perfect trip!

Thank you Pat for your retrospect report. It's always good to have someone on the island sharing their trip so that we can relive our time there.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you.

Glad you all arrived home safely. Thanks for the daily reports and sweet memories until next time. Christmas blessings to you and John!

Glad you had a great time! Sorry we missed you.

Our trip was great as well with a visit from our niece and husband/partner or whatever these days!!!

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We are back on the island Jan 24 through Mar 14, hopefully we will cross paths again this time!

Thanks for all your reports Pat. We also will try El Zafiro-Karacter is way too busy especially the parking lot. Wishing you a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.

Thank-you for all the time you put into these wonderful reports!<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" />

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/xmas032.gif" alt="" />

Just want to say thank you for all who joined us on our trip, and particularly those who offered their comments and kind words. St. Maarten is such a wonderful place and it was my pleasure to take you along on our journey and to be able to share our adventures with you, as limited as they were. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Sounds like another great trip, Pat, and I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself yet again. I am so looking forward to our late May/early June trip! I cannot wait to feel that lovely St. Maarten sunshine on my face again! Thanks for sharing your trip reports -- they are always enjoyable to read.