Just got back from what was once again a fabulous time. We began our journey with a ORD Park and Fly Radisson on Touhy. Great hotel and location.
June 20th-AA flight out of O'Hare connecting in San Juan. The next time I think I got a good deal connecting in San Juan someone smack me!! This is the third trip via San Juan and I have NEVER gotten out on time. Sat in the airport for 1/2 hour, another 1/2 hour on the bus(HOT) and yet another 20 minutes for a part to be replaced. I am obviously all for making sure all is ok with the plane but how about an explanation and letting us sit in the comfort of the airport?? Oh well, made it to the island a tad later. Unity car rental was waiting for us, took their shuttle and paperwork was ready to go. Great experience! Went to pick up the cell phone from Sharon at Royal Palm and headed to Orient Village. Stopped at Royal Foods along the way for a few things. REnted a villa from Cap Caraibes, REsidence De La Plage #21. The office was already closed so Magali met us at the unit for a run though. Nothing fancy but great location and clean. We would stay there again with no reservations. Had dinner that night a Le Piment, shared a Capra Salad and a Quatro Stagoni pizza. Bill was $55 with a beer each on top of the food. Long day of travel so early to bed.
6/21-spent the day on Orient and happy hour at The Perch of course! Ran into several couples who were there last year at the same time we were and had fun. Went to visit Luiz for a suit..if you guys have never done this, do it.
What a hoot, Luis does not have a bad job!!! Swimsuit and cover up for $140 US. Heck, I pay more than that at Victoria Secret without the great experience. We headed in Maho to meet a friend of ours Sam who works at Maaya Duty Free. Was good catching up with him. Had dinner at L'Arhawak and shared a pizza and a few drinks. Service was very slow and they forgot our pizza so it had to be reordered. Pizza was just ok, probably won't go back there.
6/22 Orient again, picked up my suit from Luiz and loved it! The Perch again and relaxed all day. Dinner at Tabby Kahdy, my husband and I agreeed that this was the best meal we have ever had on the island. We have been there 7 times and Phillipe is a master. His presentation is awesome and what a nice guy! I know some have thought it expensive but we had a nice bottle of wine, appetizer to share, 2 entrees for $124.00 US. I would pay that here and then some for a nice dinner and not have near the experience I had there! Good luck deciding...it all looked so good! We will return!!
6/23..Orient again...are you detecting a pattern..:) Stayed on the beach late today so opted to go to Bikini Beach, close to the villa. Hubby had a hamburger and I had a Greek Salad, very good and reasonable..$47.00.
6/24-Orient again, The Perch for HH, and Pedros for dancing. Lots of fun. Headed to Taichi in Orient Village for dinner. Love their food as well!! Had the Thai fondue for 2 and a few drinks. Great fondue with a ton of food. I think 4 of us could have eaten and been full!! Bill total $82.00
6/25 Orient....same as above!
Headed for a TTOL happy hour at the Kissing Fish in the Summit. Met some fun people and had a great time. It's nice to be able to put some faces with names! Headed to Lee's for some ribs, you cannot beat their prices!!! Bill total..$39
6/26-Orient...by now you are probably thinking..geez these people are boring!
Oh and you might be thinking..did they eat breakfast and lunch? Yes we did, Breakfast each morning was fresh pastries from Tap 5!! YUM!! We would also buy our baquette there and make sandwiches for lunch most days and pack a cooler of beer. Dinner that night was a pizza from Safari to share due to having left over ribs from Lee's!! Pizza was ok, not as good as Tap 5 which by the way we ran into the owner working there and he said it will reopen next week!!!
7/27-Last full day on the beach..sigh...spent a long time on Orient. Had lunch at the place between Baywatch and the Pirate...great food, had crab wraps and a few beers..VERY reasonable!!! Dinner that night was LoLo's in Grand Case...what great food! Headed back to the villa and started to pack.
6/28-headed to Tap 5 one last time for pastries in the AM. Hit the beach early to say goodbye to people we ran in to. Headed back to the villa at 10:30 to shower and head home. Stopped in Marigot at the open market to get some things for the kids and then went to SBB for lunch and to watch the planes come in. Took back the phone and car and headed to the airport. Check in was a piece of cake. Headed to the duty free only to realize that we would not be taking back anything because we were carry on only and once we reached Miami we would have to check the liquor. So, we came back empty handed!!! Flights were uneventful and here we are back at home!
A few side notes; our rental car had what Unity called a "security system" which consists of a u-shaped lock for the gearshift. Works great..just kind of funny that my husband who is an autotheft cop had never seen such a thing!
There was a crime spree one day on Orient where several people we knew had money and items taken. Pedros and some of the other businesses were also hit that same day. Once that happened we saw security out but only the next day and not ever after that!
We personally never encountered any crime. we felt safe yet we also are not people who stay out late. We are usually back safe at the villa by 10 enjoying drinks on the balcony!! We really enjoy the Orient Village area and the people there. One of the workers at a restaurant said that they are really hurting due to the difference between the Euro and dollar. she said many people are staying on the Dutch side instead.
That pretty much if the 411! We can't wait until next year!!!
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