[color:blue]This is my first attempt at a trip report, so please bear with me! Meddie and I co-wrote in a journal, much of this will be excerpts from the journal.<br><br>Oh... don't forget to take a look at just a few of our trip photos at http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos/firsttripoct18282002.msnw<br><br><br>Friday, Oct. 18 – Dave and Meddie picked up Deb at 1pm and were off to meet Steve (who was already in Portland on business) at the Portland, Oregon airport. We checked our luggage and got the tickets and boarding passes at 5pm. Left PDX, had dinner and then headed over to the Rose Garden for the Paul McCartney Concert. The concert was amazing! He did songs from the Beatles, from the Wings and current stuff as well. He did wonderful tributes to John and George. It was an excellent concert! We left the concert early (10:30ish) in order to get back to the airport in time to catch our 11:45pm flight. Upon arrival at the airport we learned that our flight was delayed over an hour due to stormy weather in Dallas-Fort Worth.<br><br>Saturday, Oct. 19 – Our flight finally left PDX around 1:15am. Arrived DFW too late to catch our connection. So they rerouted us on the scenic tour! PDX to DFW to STL to SJU to SXM! By 6pm on Saturday we finally arrived in paradise[img]/images/icons2/umbrella.gif[/img]! Most of our luggage made it! We were told that Dave and Meddie’s dive gear and Meddie’s bag would arrive on the next flight. Since we had arrived about 4 hours late, our car (Kenny’s Car Rentals) wasn’t there. No big deal! We’re in paradise[img]/images/icons2/umbrella.gif[/img]! We took a taxi to The Ocean Club. While Dave and Steve got us checked in and the luggage into hauled into the villa, Deb and Meddie were served Mud Slides[img]/images/icons2/cheers.gif[/img] in the Oasis by Bert and Jill[img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img]. We were so needing that! When the guys returned, Bert made us all a bite to eat, served us some Rum Jumbie shots[img]/images/icons2/grin.gif[/img], we had a swim in the pool, then sat on the veranda for a short time watching lightning dance around the entire sky – a beautiful night, then off to catch some much needed shut eye! Oh, BTW… the villa… awesome! We stayed in Villa #4 and it was just awesome![img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img]<br><br>Sunday, Oct. 20 – We woke to clear, gorgeous weather! The water was as clear as can be! Beautiful! A great start to our vacation in paradise[img]/images/icons2/umbrella.gif[/img]! Leslie (from Kenny’s Car Rentals) brought our rental car to the villa. A white Toyota Corolla… imagine that?!?![img]/images/icons2/laugh.gif[/img] Off to Orient Beach for the day. We set up camp in front of Boo Boo Jams. Chairs and umbrellas[img]/images/icons2/umbrella.gif[/img], ice cold beverages[img]/images/icons2/cheers.gif[/img], sun, water, and live music playing[img]/images/icons2/groovin.gif[/img] in the background… simply paradise! We lunched at Ti Wai (one of many beach bars along Orient Beach). They have the best chicken strips in the world! Back to the villa, showers, a gorgeous sunset, then Ric’s Sports Bar for dinner (BBQ Ribs, Chicken & Fries) and a little Baseball! Back to The Ocean Club for more Rum Jumbie[img]/images/icons2/grin.gif[/img] and a swim in the pool, then a little unwinding on the veranda. Gorgeous view of Saba from the veranda!<br><br>Monday, Oct. 21 – I don’t have a clue why[img]/images/icons2/thinks.gif[/img]… but Dave woke with a tad bit of a hang-over[img]/images/icons2/sick.gif[/img] this morning. I’m not sure of it was the Beer, the Tequila, the Rum Jumbie, the Mango Rum… perhaps all of the above![img]/images/icons2/hairy.gif[/img] But after breakfast (at Sheri’s Café in Maho) he seemed to get his groove[img]/images/icons2/groovin.gif[/img] back! We did some shopping in Maho. Bought a case of Rum Jumbie[img]/images/icons2/grin.gif[/img] between us and I got my smokes… $9 for a carton of Marlboro Menthol Lights… the BEST buy on the island! It is much warmer and more humid today. Decided to stick close to The Ocean Club today. Sunbathing by the beach, swimming and snorkeling. Life is hard![img]/images/icons2/tonguea.gif[/img] We had dinner at The Boathouse. Steve had the best Filet Mignon and Dave had a 2 lb. Lobster! Then back to The Ocean Club for our evening swim. Ended up drinking 2 bottles of Rum Jumbie[img]/images/icons2/grin.gif[/img] (between the 4 of us) in the pool! Yikes![img]/images/icons2/yikes.gif[/img] Meddie and Deb did a lot of laughing[img]/images/icons2/laugh.gif[/img] and [img]/images/icons2/laugh.gif[/img]giggling! Deb learned how to dive![img]/images/icons2/joy.gif[/img] Rum Jumbie is good stuff![img]/images/icons2/grin.gif[/img] Oh, BTW, we noticed this morning that Saba was missing!<br><br>Tuesday, Oct. 22 – Deb was useless[img]/images/icons2/sick.gif[/img] until 3pm![img]/images/icons2/hairy.gif[/img] Perhaps all of that Rum Jumbie?!?![img]/images/icons2/thinks.gif[/img] Dave and Meddie took a Snorkeling trip today. Steve stayed behind with Deb. Steve and Deb had lunch, took a nap… and then we were raring to go again! Went to Sunset Beach Bar for Topless Tuesday[img]/images/icons2/blush.gif[/img]. Just so you know… Deb and Meddie DID NOT drink for free! On to Hot Tomatoes for dinner. Back to SSBB for more beverages. Back home for our nightly swim. Saba is still missing… not sure where it went![img]/images/icons2/thinks.gif[/img]<br><br>Wednesday, Oct. 23 – Steve and Deb’s 21st anniversary! We shopped the outdoor market at Marigot. It was hotter than you know what today![img]/images/icons2/devil.gif[/img] Lunched at one of the many restaurants there. Afterwards we headed over to the Grand Case Beach Club. A very nice beach! One of the best things about the Grand Case Beach Club is the FLAG! When you need anything… raise your flag… the guy comes running and brings you what ever it is you need! Ahhh… what a life! The anniversary dinner was in Grand Case at Il Nattuno. The food was great and the staff wonderful![img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img] We ended the evening with drinks at the Oasis. Still no sign of Saba.<br><br>Thursday, Oct. 24 – We decided to hang out at The Ocean Club today. Meddie did laundry. Dave caught some rays. Steve studied his dive book in preparation for their dive. Deb sat at the Oasis for 3 ½ hours while Kay (an Oasis employee) braided her hair. Then we were off to dinner and a TTOL [img]/images/icons2/cheers.gif[/img] Party at the Peg Leg Pub. I think about 13 showed… Steve and Deb, Dave and Meddie, Doug and Julie, Dave and Susan, Marty and Mary, J.D. and his wife… even Dicky and Frank[img]/images/icons2/woof.gif[/img]! If I forgot anyone (I’m sure I have!)… Please accept my apologies! Shawn, our waiter, was awesome![img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img] We all fell in love with him![img]/images/icons2/love.gif[/img] Sure wish someone would bring Saba back!<br><br>Friday, Oct. 25 - Dave, Meddie and Steve went Scuba Diving today. Deb spent a rough day at The Ocean Club… soaking in the tub… a swim in the pool… a visit to OCBill's Computer Room to send e-mails to the kids… Bert at the Oasis made me the best Cheeseburger and Fries! Dinner that evening was at The Citrus. Wonderful French Cuisine, great staff![img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img] A little pricey… and be sure to wear your Sunday best! After dinner we went to Hot Tomatoes for drinks. Where is Saba? Sure do miss it!<br><br>Saturday, Oct. 26 – We drove into Phillipsburg for some shopping on Front Street. I have never seen so many jewelry stores in my life! Hot Dogs and cold drinks on the beach. Then off to Dawn Beach for some fun in the sun! Dawn Beach is very pretty, but the ocean there is really rough! Tried to kill Deb twice![img]/images/icons2/yikes.gif[/img] Tried to kill Dave once too![img]/images/icons2/yikes.gif[/img] Sunbathed for awhile, had a few drinks at Scavengers… then back to The Ocean Club. Went for a nice relaxing swim while Jill (at the Oasis) made us dinner. She makes a mean Chicken Parmesan![img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img] After cleaning up, we went to donate some money to the Atlantis Casino! We all made a donation there![img]/images/icons2/laugh.gif[/img] No Saba again![img]/images/icons2/crazy.gif[/img]<br><br>Sunday, Oct. 27 – Back to Orient Beach! Loved Orient Beach! We had lunch at Boo Boo Jams (awesome Shrimp Kabobs!).[img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img] It was a kick-back and relax day. On our way back to the villa we stopped at SSBB and watched a 747 take off! [img]/images/icons2/clapping.gif[/img] Pretty impressive! We eventually made our way back to The Ocean Club for a swim and Bert made us BBQ Beef Sandwiches… they really do have great food for a bar! Thinking about placing a “Lost & Found” ad for Saba.[img]/images/icons2/thinks.gif[/img]<br><br>Monday, Oct. 28 – Up and about early today. Last night while sleeping… someone returned Saba![img]/images/icons2/clapping.gif[/img][img]/images/icons2/joy.gif[/img][img]/images/icons2/clapping.gif[/img] Steve and Deb have to return back to the real world today.[img]/images/icons2/sad.gif[/img] We packed our bags… headed for the airport… checked our luggage. Went to a little French pastry shop near the airport for Ham & Cheese Quiche and Chocolate Croissants. Then back to the airport for our final good-byes.[img]/images/icons2/sad.gif[/img] Depressing![img]/images/icons2/sad.gif[/img] Really hard to go… especially when your friends get to stay another 5 days! Our flight back was uneventful. Arriving back in Portland, Oregon around 9pm.<br><br>Tuesday, Oct. 29 – We realized we really were back to reality and the real world when we awoke to 26 degree weather![img]/images/icons2/yikes.gif[/img] Oh, what we would give to be back in Sint Maarten![img]/images/icons2/thinks.gif[/img]<br><br>Deb</font color=blue>