This summary of our recent vacation will be in 3 parts.

This is a summary of the highlights of our 5th land vacation to St Maarten. Several other earlier visits were via cruise ships. As we only had a 4 minute shower during our entire stay I am not going to discuss the weather other than to say it was either always sunny or partly cloudy and warm. I don't talk about what meals cost as we are there to enjoy the food, atmosphere and to have a great vacation.

13 June - Wednesday, US Airways (red-eye) Sacramento to Charlotte, Charlotte to St Maarten - Arrived Thursday around 1:30 PM, Thursday. Michael from Unity car rental met us at airport, picked up car and was on our way. I always get a smaller car, easy to park and drive around. Purchase liability insurance as most state policies do not cover other car and damage if in an accident. Worth the $5 a day. Stopped at market over the bridge for beer, water and snacks. First 3 days were on the French side. Arrived at the Grand Case Beach Club, had reserved a 1 bedroom studio, was pleasantly surprised to be upgraded to a 2 bedroom unit. Some swim time and attended a manager hosted party with snacks and beer, wine and rum punch. Dinner at Piazza Pascal. Food was good, little tired after long flights. Donna is a nice host. Some late evening drinks at the Sunset Cafe bar.

15 June - Friday, breakfeast at Sunset Cafe, beach time, spent most of our time at the beach (Petit Plage)adjacent to the GCBC. Lunch at Sunset Cafe, great staff at the Cafe. More reading and beach time. The GCBC has a wrap around deck with chairs that surrounds the point on the property. Pictures and videos of a gorgeous sunset. Dinner at La Villa, very good food, appetizers, onion soup, tomatoes and mozzarella, main course, duck and tuna. Belong to Jeff Bergers, Everything St Maarten web site. He offers several coupons for members to print to use on the island. Had a coupon for La Villa, for 10% off. Also, they offer $1 = 1Euro for cash.

16 June - Saturday, breakfeast Sunset Cafe, on the beach all morning, lunch at the Sunset Cafe, jerk scampi, fries, bottle of chilled rose wine. More beach time, drinks at five. Dinner at Spiga's, snapper, and gnocchi , bottle of red meritage wine. Very good meal.

17 June - Sunday, breakfeast Sunset Cafe, walked Grand Case beach to collect seashells for the granddaughters, Sunset Cafe for lunch, hamburgers, fries. Received a late check-out, more beach time. Relocated to the Dutch side, checked in at the Little Bay Divi Resort lateafternoon. Had a very nice one bedroom suite, washer/dryer, kitchen, living area and separate bedroom, on the water, ocean view of Little Bay. Dinner - walked down to the Belair Hotel, adjacent to the Divi, good meals- mahi-mahi, lemon chicken, reasonably priced. Stayed at Belair last year.