Landed on July 18th from Seattle. Took the red eye and had a stop over in Atlanta. All flights were fine.

Mom and dad with us, met sister and family at the airport. Customs: VERY long line but oh well we’re on the Island.

First trip for our kids, parents, sister and family. Celebrating parents 50th anniversary. Our job: Make sure everyone loves the island as much as we do. FYI: Mission Accomplished!

Rented a van and car from Michael at Unity. Great as always. Rented a phone for my brother in law from Sharon. Great as always. Rented Chairs and Umbrellas from Craig at Pack Light for the first time: Great! Will do it again. Can't beat the service. He delivers and picks up. What a nice guy. Found plenty of space on Orient for our clan of ten!
Stayed first week at Sapphire (3 rooms) on our time share exchange. Front desk people as always, don’t really pay much attention to your needs. Fred in the restaurant was EXCELLENT also the lady in the gift shop was EXCELLENT too. Our maid was very nice also.

Last two nights we stayed at Azure. What a wonderful quaint place. The owners, Michael and Fawnette along with the lovely maid are such nice people. Would stay there again.

Spent most of our days on Orient. Tried to visit Ken and Liz every day in front of Club O. We love our friends. Rented the trampoline for the kids on Orient for the day and they loved it. Hit the Perch every day for happy hour 2 for 1:)


Went to Pinel for the first time. Everyone enjoyed it except for the hubs. Felt like he was on Alcatraz. Glad we did it but probably won’t do it again. Love Orient.

Stopped by Dawn Beach so the parents could see it. Miss Ms. B's ribs VERY much!

The people, always so nice. Met Dread-I on the beach. Bought his CD, very good. What a kind hearted man.

Ate at: La Crosanterie, Pineapple Pete’s, Cornie’s (brought out a hammack for Shane when they asked if they could get him something else and he said how about a wheel chair. The hammack worked out just fine!) VERY nice family that runs that restaurant in Phillipsburg. Also ate at The Boat Bar at the airport, the Sapphire Restaurant, Lee’s, Baywatch, and Pedro’s. All were excellent. Went to Pineapple Pete’s on my parents anniversary. Live music, excellent food, and sparklers and champagne served at the end of the meal along with punch in flute glasses for the kids. Also got latte’s and pastries at the market up the street from the Sapphire. Excellent but watch out for the biting bugs! The shop at the Sapphire also had fresh pastries and baguettes every morning.

Shopped in Phillipsburg and the Marigot Market, both were great as usual. We left on my birthday so the hubs bought me a ceramic watch that day. What a guy!

Shopped for groceries on the Dutch side at Grand Marche. Love the selection and the prices.

All in all an excellent trip as always. Thinking about spring break for next year instead of July.

Special notes: Family could not believe how good the food was, how beautiful the beaches were, how nice the people were, and how CRAZY the driving was!

Love the island and can’t wait to go back again.

Cheers!

Shane and Susie