Flight - Supposedly the flight from hell - O'Hare to Detroit to Miami to St. Marten. But they were FF tickets, so I thought how can I complain. The Detroit leg was cancelled so AA put us on the O'Hare to San Juan to St. Marten flight. Unfortunately the flight left 8 hours later. Then in San Juan, American cancelled the flight to SXM because an instrument light didn't function, so we had to spend the night in San Juan (paid for by AA). On an 8:00 am flight the next morning to SXM.
Car - After many phone calls about changing flights, Alvin met us with our car from Unity. Second time renting from them and will continue to do so. Nice car this time - almost new.
Hotel - Stayed at the Royal Islander again with reservations made through Cheap Carribean. We (my husband, son and I) love this place. Had a two bedroom with a gorgeous view. It's so close to all the things we love to do - SSBB in the afternoon, casinos after dinner.
Activities and Food - went to the TTOL party on Sunday. Party was great, food was even better. Had so much to eat, we weren't hungry. It was really a lot of fun to put faces with names. On Monday it rained quite a bit, so I went to Phillipsburg and shopped. My son bought some diamond earrings from Deepti and I went back on Thursday and bought some for myself. It was a delight shopping at her store (and several others). Dinner that evening was coconut shrimp at Turtle Pier. It was okay. The menu showed mango pancakes for breakfast so we went there the next morning; they were delicious. Spent the rest of Tuesday visiting all of the various beaches and ended up at Orient Beach for a late lunch at Baywatch. I couldn't believe OB. We were there last July and the difference in the beach is unbelieveable. There's so much more beach. Lunch at Baywatch was as wonderful as it's always been. I had margarita shrimp, my husband had the garlic scallop caesar, and my son had the mussels. All were wonderful. Went back to the hotel, cleaned up and headed to Grand Case. Had drinks at the Rainbow (beautiful view) and dinner at Bistro Caraibes. Rack of lamb and sea bass were excellent. So was the creme brulee. We also enjoyed the ginger rum the brothers serve after dinner. Wish I could make that. Harmony night was fun.
On Wednesday just layed around the pool but went to dinner at Peg Leg Pub. Love Shawn and the food. My husband and son love the filet and I love the mango chicken. On Thursday we again beached it but managed to get to Antoines in P'burg for dinner. Had a wonderful dinner. My husband had tuna, son had red snapper and I had Alfredo Fettucine. All three were delicious; however, the best was the dessert - a grand marnier souffle. The view from this restaurant is so wonderful, I'm glad we went. We'll go again.
On Friday we went to Orient Beach for the day, had another great lunch at Baywatch and for dinner had burgers at SSBB and watched the sunset. My son was flying out early in the morning and we were suppose to fly out at 5:00 pm. Got up early, took our son to the airport and had breakfast at Bitta's. Had to try her French toast. Wow!! Went to the airport to check in and asked if they had better flights than the ones we were flying out on (again, the flights from hell). THEY DID!!! But they said we've have to spend another night in St. Marten. Well, you don't have to ask us twice. Michael at Unity said we could have the car another night. Then we had to find a place to stay. Went to Mary Boons and Horny Toad but felt the prices were a little high. So we checked out the Royal Turtle. Their prices were much better and the room we stayed in (#8) was beautiful. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat. Also included those great mango pancakes.
Left on Sunday on a much better flight - SXM to San Juan to O'Hare. Much easier than I anticipated and no problems through customs.
This trip as our trip last July to SXM was delightful. Can't wait to go again.
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