NWILLINOIS

We're arriving December 8th. Staying at LaHoste on Orient Beach. We haven't been to the Island in 20 years. We're not sure if we're anxious to see the changes? We always gravitated to the French side but perhaps we'll explore more of Phillipsburg this time? Regardless, we're out of Dodge! Any suggestions of any must do's? and must don'ts?
John & Ellen

Start out with a drive around the island and see what's changed in 20 years. Been lots.

agree with Scubaman. Then stop for a strong drink to get over the shock.

Looking forward to reading your impressions of the island after a 20-year absence.

We were 55 not 75 and we painted the town red back then! We still have the spark but just in a different firing order. We always enjoyed driving around and seeking out places where tourists didn't flock to. Our evenings were always filled with vodka and wine and that still happens just not as frequently. Grand Case is our favorite. John & Ellen

Vodka and wine? You are our type of people, lol! You guys gonna have an impression like you have never been there before! So much changes! It is very different now.
But never the less, go for a drive, stop at different places and have as much fun as you can. And easy with vodka, it can play tricks with you, lol!

We had friends from Canada stay with us in St. Maarten who also had not be on the island for 20 years.
We had met them at Club Orient in 1983 and although we all enjoyed the island together it was a shock for them.
The traffic was non existent back then and Marigot was fun and a great place for dinners. I would just remember it is an overcrowded world and St. Martin/ St. Maarten is now overcrowded but a great vacation can still be made by planning ahead.

20 years goes by pretty fast! We're up for it no matter how many changes to the island. We want to go back tp Pinel. There wasn't any real services there 20 years ago. We had to pack a cooler. We'll probably do some Marigot places but not too much in Phillipsburg. We aren't cruise ship people. We enjoy the freedom of being on our own and come and go as we please. We always enjoy meeting new people and it always seems were six degrees from somebody! John & Ellen