Returned Saturday from 2 glorious weeks. Used Walgreens ID Now test outgoing which qualifies as a PCR 120 hour test. It is a PCR with rapid results, not a rapid test. Tested 9:30 am Tuesday May 4th, results by 10:30 am Tuesday, EHAS approval by 12:30 pm (wife) and 3:30 pm (me) Tuesday all for a Saturday May 8th 8:30 am JFK Jet Blue departure. All pressure was off! Arrived SXM with only one United plane at terminal and we were directed to the far right side directly in front of the immigration entrance! Down ramp and into terminal with no bus! United folks almost done. They stamp your EHAS approval and send you to immigration agents. Done in roughly 5 minutes. Baggage came several minutes after our arrival at the carousel and we were out the door to meet Lesley Bruce with our brand new red Toyota Corolla. At Mary’s Boon maybe 30 minutes after touchdown. On a Saturday, no less! We flew Saturday for the first time in our lives to avoid canceled or changed flights.

Carrefors in Cole Bay for our groceries and Sylvain Periera at Select Wines in Orange Grove, Cole Bay for our wine line up for 2 weeks. Sylvain is a true sommelier and will direct you to some of the best French wines based upon your budget. He also owns Le Champagne next door for great lunches.

Weather lovely with spotty rain here and there. No lost days to rain. No sargassum on Simpson Bay beach until Thursday May 20th and it was all washed up onto beach by Friday morning. Breakfasts at MB or Cafe Atlantico each day. Lunch was dinner leftovers or Atlantico sandwiches or Captains Rib Shack ribs/chicken/wings at table outside our room. Love the Rib Shack! Johnny cakes too!

Dinner line up: MB first night, Bistrot Caraibes twice, once for Mother’s Day lobster thermidor (best on island), Yvette’s in Orleans (twice, say hello to Corinthia! Lovely lady!), L’Auberge Gourmande (3 times, love this place!), Shiv Shakti, La Villa (twice, love JC and Cedric!), Emilio’s (first time, lovely ambiance, huge, well spaced tables), Pizza Del Sol.

Our days are all for the beach so in that respect, we are terribly boring. But we treasure our vacations as down time and totally relax.

Exit COVID test was at Medwork above Avantika in Simpson Bay. Appointment made online (Medcare.aw) for rapid Antigen test on Thursday morning 5/20 at 8:20 and 8:30 am. $70 each. Arrived at 8:10. Out the door at 8:15 for breakfast. No wait. Results emailed by 9:30 am. Flight was 1:30 pm 5/22 Saturday JB to JFK. SXM Airport quiet because it was early. Terminal 5 at JFK empty. Walked right up to immigration, claimed luggage and out the door within 30 minutes.

So we add our take - GO! Do not hesitate. Wear your mask everywhere because it is what we do now. Who cares? We feel safer that way. No masks on the beach and mask comes off when you sit down to eat. Wait staff all masked everywhere. We loved and cherished our 2 weeks and have already put a deposit down on October.