Although we were there for our usual two weeks, it always seem too short. There is never enough time to do all that I want to do. That is why we have to continue going back.<br><br>The island was probably greener than I ever remember.<br><br>Rental: Avis. We rent from them, because we have known the owner for many years and always get good service. This year was no exception.<br><br>Accommodations: Villa Giselle in Terres Basse (Low lands). The Villa was georgous and we thoroughly enjoyed it. It was about a ten minute walk to Plum Bay which was also our view. As many of you know, Villas are our preferred accommodations and have only stayed at one other place (Sapphire Beach Club).<br><br>Some eateries<br><br>1. Peg Leg Pub (Simpson Bay) - The steak is oustanding--very tender. The prices are not expensive.
<br><br>2. Fish Pot (Grand Case). We celebrated my girl friend's birthday there The food was good and ofcourse expensive. I had the seafood salad with passion fruit sauce which was very good. I had the surf and turf. The steak was very tender, but did not rival Peg Leg Pub which was less expensive. The lobster was somewhat rubbery. Service was good.<br><br>3. Le Tastevin -- We celebrated my birthday here. Expensive and the food was average. Service was good. Right now, I don't remember what I had. Will fill it in by the end of the report, if I do. One friend had the veal which he raved over.<br><br>3. Temptations (By Atlantis Casino). Food, atmosphere and service was very good. Will definitely return. While we already had it on our list, this was one of Deepti's top recommendations.<br><br>4. Grand Cafe (Maho) -- This place is across from Cheries, upstairs over the Paris Bistro. The food is outstanding and inexpensive. It is a well kept secret. I highly recommend it and we will eat there again.<br><br>4. Pedros (Orient Bay) -- We did not really eat there as the waiter told my husband that they had stop serving food for the day. However, while we were having our drinks, another group came up and they accommodated them with food. I will not return.<br><br>5. The Boathouse (Simpson Bay) -- I could not wait to get to the island to have their coconut shrimps. I was disappointed this year. They were over cooked and not tasty at all. I am going to assume that I tried them on a bad day and will try them again.<br><br>6. Turtle Pier (Simpson Bay). Breakfast was ok. Great atmosphere. Poor service. I did not join my friends for Lobster night. They said that it was ok.<br><br>7. Mary's Boon -- We had a Sunday Champagne brunch there and enjoyed it as usual. However, I must admit that we have had better in the past. We will definitely return.<br><br>8. Port De Plaisance -- We had a sunday brunch there. We thoroughly enjoyed it and will return.<br><br>9 Jimbos (Simpson Bay). Great hamburgers and atmosphere.<br><br>10. Other hit the spot or take out places: Johnny Under the Tree (Cole Bay) ribs and chicken was good and inexpensive. Talk-Of-The-Town (Grand Case) ribs, chicken and fish was good. Cheries food ok and fun environment. French Bakerie in Simpson Bay (great pastries).<br><br>Events: <br><br>1. Went to meet Deepti one day, but she was not there. However, the place was very familiar and they remembered me. I promised to return to meet Deepti and I did. Found that I not only knew her from the past, but have purchased some very special pieces from her, This year, purchased the special piece that I have named the Deepti Bracelet. Love it!!!<br><br>I have two places that I especially visit--DK International and Diamond Jewelers.<br><br>2. Did the Pub Crawl. Sorry, but I will not do it again. I am not that much of a drinker. They were very short on food with the exception of the Indian restaurant (forgot the name). Peg Leg Pub ran out of samples of steak and some of us did not get an opportunity to sample it. The rum punch served on the boat was not good.<br><br>3. Anguilla, Shoal Bay, Uncle Ernie, and Pressure King. As usually great. <br><br>Beaches: Tried to hit them all, but, ofcourse, we did not.<br><br>Visited Several Art Galleries that included Roland Richardson's studio in Marigot. I mention Travel Talk Online at this studio and found out that Roland Richardson's wife is doing an article for a magazine which will include mention of Travel Talk Online. Was able to secure some pieces by Romare Bearden, Ruby Bute and Richardson. <br><br>What I will never do again:<br>1. Rent through Jennifer Vacation Villas. For the second time in our seventeen years, we have gone outside of Carimo as the property realtor to rent villas and have been disappointed each time. The person that she sent to pick us up was rude and not responsive, no one would answer the phone at her place of business in Simpson Bay, items such as a caretaker for the property we felt was misrepresented. Our vacation was not ruined, because the maid for the property was one that we have had in the past and advised us that Leslie Vacation Villas also rents the property. It turns out that we knew Leslie as she worked for Carimo in the past. So, she took care of our every need.<br><br>2. On our return USAir was late getting into Charlotte and everyone going to BWI missed their connecting flight. They began giving first class seats away to the first people in line on the next flight (about 2 hours later). The only problem with this is that our friend had paid for first class seats and they had given their seats away by the time that they got up to the counter. I really wish that I could say never again with BWI, but the sad fact is that we are stuck with USAir or American as our only choices in the summer for the time being.<br><br>Special:<br><br>The only time that I was bitten by a mosquito was at the airport leaving. <br> <br>Security:<br><br>I am mentioning this only because I promised to do so when I returned. I was a little apprehensive at first due to all the info on the board right before we left. The security has definitely been stepped up--especially for entrance into any of the areas (such as Baie Aux Prunes, Baie Rouge, etc) after 6PM. You must show a paper issued with where you are staying in order to enter the areas, We stated for two weeks and went out every night but one. We have never felt safer and did not feel threaten at any time. <br><br>OK. I started this report with the subject "Short Trip Report" and had to change it to "Somewhat Short Trip Report" <br><br><br><br> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> <br><br>
texttext So, I'd better stop now.
. I will now start planning my next trip.
<br><br>PS. I apologize that I was too lazy to do spell and grammar check.