Thanks to all TTOL as we gleaned lots of great info from you posts.<br><br>This was our fourth trip to St. Martin, our most recent prior was two years ago. This was however our first stay at Club Orient.<br><br>We flew out of PHL and arrived a few minutes early. Seat selection is important so you can get off the plane quickly and carry-on baggage is key. Because everybody else seems to check their bags there’s lots of room in the overhead bins but on the return flight the booze and souvenirs from everybody makes carry-on a tight fit. Got on the first bus to the terminal (stood by the doors on the bus) and were one of first one's off and through customs. That was 15 minutes from touch down to rental car...almost.<br><br>Myra from AAA wasn't there yet but got a ride over to the lot from one of the other folks at the airport. No problem mon...we were on our way in a few minutes. <br><br>First stop SSBB for the first Carib, watched a few planes land and then off to OB. Easter Monday and the beach was packed with locals and were the heck was the beach a Club Orient. There is still a beach, but compared to two years ago the there was easily 50-75 feet of beach lost along all of CO. The beach between Padros through KonTiki for all practical purpose is only 0-10 feet at best. Other beaches, Cupecoy... very little beach on the day we where there and Green Cay... seemed very small as well.<br><br>The weather was ideal on all but one day and winds where generally very light, which seemed a bit unusual but which made for very hot days. A nice break after this winter in the east. Hot weather, warm water, cold drinks and sand gravity.<br><br>Club O...the mini suite was much nicer then I expected based on the rustic nature and basic features (OK, I and not my wife missed the TV a bit). My only real complaints/recommendations would be is they need bigger pillows for the beds. On the beach, Club O seems to need more beach chairs. If you don't mark your chair by 7:00 you may not have waterfront and by after 8:30-9:00 you'll be competing with the day-trippers and by 10 not a chair to be had. Maybe this is a good sign as tourism is picking up and the CO beach needs expanding or could be just April. Also heard on this board about prices for food at the store at Club O being expensive. Its only 15-20% more then in town, we found it worth the extra not to make that extra trip if your only there for a few days. <br><br>Went on the TikoTiko day trip to Tintamarre. An excellent time was had by all and the mud bath resulted in some interesting hairstyles. On another positive note the reef on Tinitimare is beginning to recover with new coral growth. Noticed lots of brain coral and some branch coral. Still its only 10-15% of pre-hurricane Louis.<br><br>Shopping.... Took everybody’s advice and went to DK Jewelers on Front St. Great price but will see how great after the appraisal, but sure we won't be disappointed. Rams for liquor….wow generally 25-35 percent of US prices.<br><br>Phoning home....after some concerns about billing practices from TTOL users about EC Cellular decided go with the prepaid phone cards (can get them at French side stores) for the France Telecom pay phones. Direct dial calls only about $0.40 per minute and still cheaper than $85 to rent a phone from Cellular One. There’s one right outside the gate at Club O and everywhere on the French side. Avoid those blue pay phones with credit card logos, they are real expensive.<br><br>Food.....every night was another 5 star meal in Grand Case. Expensive but unforgettable. Il Netuno, Alabama, Rainbow (the best), Talk of the Town (economical). <br><br>Return to Philly, the worst, one-hour to get off the plan. Thank goodness for carry-ons…..those poor soles who had to wait for baggage. Hope the new terminal helps.<br><br>