Today's confession is that I am completely incompetent with respect to the French door hardware. Every time I come here it takes most of my vacation to figure out how to unlock the door in less than a minute. Our new technique is for Kim to step back a few steps to lessen my embarrassment. It seems to help slightly.

Yesterday was our first full day, and it started as always. We got up pretty early and went to stroll the beach. We went south to the frustrating part of the beach where number of open shops is dwarfed by the number of closed ones. I sell cannot believe this level of gov't incompetence.

After our walk we went back to our apartment for a little breakfast, a few Emails, and glooping on the sunscreen. Kim insisted that 60 would be appropriate. I scoffed and thought that for someone as tough as me, 30 would suffice. As usual, when it comes to matters of common sense, Kim was the winner. I had to gloop up with 60 an hour later as it felt like my right arm was going to burn right off.

We had kind of thought we were going to head to Cocos, but only got as far as La Playa before we were convinced that $15 for chairs and umbrella and two punch was the right deal. We had a lovely day. I had thought I would read and snooze, but we met some nice people on either side of us, and chatted the day away. We met a newly retired couple from the DC area, a fellow that seems tomato products to giant store chains (I think he said 600,000 tons of tomatoes annually), and a fellow that hinted at work in top-secret defense manufacturing. Submarines.

At the end of the afternoon it was time for our nap. I was really ready for it: two short nights in a row, then a day of sun and wind, and admittedly, an irresponsible number of Caribe. We woke at around 7, with rumbling tummies, and decided to pop over to Grand Case for Lolo food. We went to Sky's the Limit, and it was pretty good, and compared to our lunch at La Playa, a pittance. I think next time we go, we'll have to go to the Lolo that is closest to the water. The view of the sailboats at night was beautiful, and the smells from their smokers was amazing.

Grand Case was pretty busy last night, at least I thought so for a Wednesday. There wasn't a spot in the main parking lot, and we parked on the airport road, about a block down.

After supper we were both still quite tired out, so it was a fairly early night.

We were up with the sun again this morning, were out for our walk - I looked for Kish at Club O, but didn't see him/them.

I think it's off to La Playa again, perhaps today some reading and napping, but probably not. I am a Chatty Cathy.

Oh, yeah, the beach peddlers and massage ladies - as thick as flies. It's a "no" every 5 minutes.

And one more "oh," the high point of yesterday was a visit from Dread I. We had a nice chat, and I am going to try to see him tomorrow night at a place in Cul de Sac. that's if we can stay up past 9 pm.

Have a great day everybody.

Thanks for the report. Sounds like a good time.

We too had difficulty unlocking the doors when we stayed at the Orient beach resorts, some worse than others. I gave up and my husband would have to get us out of the room!

Thanks for the update.Sounds like nice relaxing days in the sunshine.Kish was not at Club O yesterday, but said to look for her today. Hope the door locks get easier with time. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Sure can relate to the door thing. Drives my wife nuts. Small price for what we get otherwise. 27 days and a wake up for us. Can't wait to have a look at what they did with the new construction on Orient.

Love the report. We almost always go to the lolos by the eater, the view sucked us in the first time but since then it is also the food. they make really good ox tails and curry goat when they have it. I love dread i, didnt see him last year and was disappointed!

hey ritchard, just an fyi. I lather on the palmers coco butter leading up to my going and make sure i drink alot of water i.e at least 1.5 gallons a day ( i do anyway but double down about 2 weeks before) and i never burn. got to get the skin ready for a new environment!