Hi All<br><br>Have not posted much on this site but read it frequently... we have been back from for 15 days in SXM for just under a week... about our 10th trip in 8 years... This marked our 18th week in SXM.<br><br>I thought some of you might be interested in the following news-<br><br> The Parrot Jungle is closed and the parrots and turtles have been sold to the St. Maarten Zoo (I really liked that place).<br><br> The Food Center in Cole Bay is supposed to re-open soon as a "branch" of Ram's Food Center.<br><br> Citrus will be closing in September and not reopening until October. Don't know the exact dates but I was told it would be closed for 6 weeks.<br><br> The Market at Cupecoy (located next to Citrus) is pricey but great for deli and take out foods... I think they are closed for three weeks in September.<br><br>Even during the two weeks we were there the beach area at Club Orient got bigger (more sand) and the water was warmer and more gentle than it has been in recent years. <br><br>The beach at Cupecoy is being "run" by a great group of people who bring drinks, rent chairs and do a little of their own "patrolling" and cleaning up... but the land right above the end of the beach is for sale (3.7 million?) and even while we were there there were business type people tromping around and looking it over...<br><br>Baie Rouge has more rocks and less sand than in previous years.<br><br>Loterie Farms is open for the summer but rather slow and no water on the hike but still lots of fun... the food at Hidden Forest Cafe is great, well presented and very reasonable. <br><br>Rima in Philipsburg (opposite the green Heinenken beer/airplane) is a great place to shop for bargains. It's the outlet store for the factory that sells almost all the pareos, beach shirts etc on the island. Lots of fun other stuff... jewlery, wall hangings, carvings etc... <br><br>Every trip we find new things and new friends... its a great place... definately feels like a second home.<br><br>Thanks for the opportunity to report!<br><br><br><br>