7/11

We flew out of Cleveland connecting through Charlotte without an issue. Met Kenny at the airport got the same car we had last year because it had the same license plate, R-2. Did market garden shopping checked in at Flamingo. We got a room on the top floor which was really cool. It was amazing to see all the maintenance and renovation that was going on. There were maintenance people everywhere. We also noticed that the island surprisingly busy for mid-July. We went to Paanlan for dinner and it was outstanding as usual.

7/12

Club O. It was an overcast day but no rain. We went to Pedros for lunch. Selfie!

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On the way home we stopped at BBB for a couple of rum punches.

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On our way to dinner, we Stopped at the Crazy Cow, now called the Crazy Rainbow. We had a nice time talking with the bartender, Peter, who is also one of the owners. The menu has changed to a specialty burger joint. It all looked good. Off to FIG. This was our first time there. Dinner was amazing. I could never find a menu on-line so I took a picture of it.

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7/13

Club O. We had lunch at Kakao for a pizza now that Orange Fever is gone. It was fabulous. On the way home we stopped at SMYC for a couple of rum punches. We attempted to go to Vesna Taverna or Bavaria but both were closed. Went to Cugini. It was very good, but nowhere as near as good when we went to location in Marigot Marina. Sunset and dusk at the Flamingo.

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7/14

Club O. There were a couple showers early on then beautiful bright sunshine. Pedros was closed so we tried Papagayo for the first time. We were pleasantly surprised. It was awesome. Dread I was walking around selling his wares so we bought a CD. We have been playing it in the car. Pretty darn good reggae. We stopped at BBB again for a couple rum punches. This time they were not so great. They were setting up for the Diamond Resorts VIP reception if you know what I mean. We got the hell out of dodge. Off to Le Moulin Fou for dinner for the first time ever. It was fabulous.

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7/15

Club O. Stopped at Top Carrot along the way for some green juice. Incidently, their food (breakfast and lunch) looks very good there, but we didn’t have a chance to try it. We noticed a new place next door called Pizza Italy. We never had the opportunity to try it because it was only open in the evening. Curious if anyone else has and what you thought.

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Beautiful day day at the beach. Witnessed a little confrontation at the beach. There were a couple of guys taking pictures from the water. Security called them out and the guy explained that the camera doesn't work. Whatever. He sent them away. Lunch was Pedros and dinner leftovers. Went home the long way and stopped at driftwood for a rum punch. Still the best on the island. We have 3 dinners left and 5 new places we want to try (Little Jerusalem, Vesna Taverna, Canoa, Avantiki and Bavaria). We chose Vesna Taverna. It was very good and the prices are very reasonable but it's not at the top of our list for that type of food.

7/16

Thought about going to Mullet because of possible rain and strong winds on Orient, but went to Club O anyway. Stopped at top carrot along the way for green juice. We ate pizza again at Kakao for lunch. On the way home we smoke up on one of the mountains. Not sure what it is.

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Dinner choice was Avantiki. Incredible Thai food, however, based on what I had I still like Paanlan better. Based on what Beth had she now likes Avantiki better. In any event, you can't go wrong at either place.

7/17

Last day. Club O here we come. It was a great sunny day with much less wind. We ate lunch at Papagyo again and it was wonderful. I'm not sure we waited so long to eat there. We stopped at SMYC for a rum punch and ran into the same guy we ran into a year ago to the day. Too funny. Initially we planned to go to Canoa for dinner but at the last minute decided to try Little Jerusalem. No regrets there. Absolutely fabulous food not to mention starting off with a couple of chilled Fireballs!

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7/18

Checked out of the Flamingo and stored our luggage. Then ate breakfast at Topper's by the Sea. It was quite good. After that we hung out at the pool till it was time to leave for the airport. In 8 years, it’s actually the first time we went in the pool. Beth was having fun with the bartender.

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That's where the fun begins. Since this was our 10 year anniversary, we decided to add on 5 days in St. Lucia. We got to the airport at 1:00 for our 3:30 flight. 5 minutes before our flight on LIAT was supposed to take off we were told that the plane was broken down in Caracao and they would give us an update in 2 hours. Needless to say, our connecting flight in Antigua is now history. Long story short, we leave St. Maarten at 9:30 PM. They put us up and the Royal Antiguan Beach Resort and provide dinner. I’m pretty sure it’s the only business this particular resort gets. Beth's suitcase never made it. So we got to experience Luggage In Another Town AND Leave Island Any Time all in one trip! We sleep 3 hours and get on a 5:30 AM flight to St. Lucia. Goodbye Antigua.

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