TravelTalkOnline Forums Trip Reports (Read Only) SXM Trip Reports and Photos Trip Report 5/3 - 5/10

Just cannot believe we are already back. As usual a wonderful time was had by all.<br><br>Left Boston at 4:35pm, there were only 28 people on the plane to SJU. Flight very smooth, left and arrived on time.<br>Took the looooong walk to our American Eagle connection which was full and arrived at SXM around 10:25. Waited for our luggage (very slow) and we were missing one suitcase.<br>Advised AA and went outside where Kenny was waiting for us with our white Toyota. Within 10 minutes we were on our way to the Atrium. Stopped at 7Alive and picked up a few provisions for the morning, checked in at Atrium where we had a one bedroom with pullout couch. Very comfortable and spacious for the four of us. There were no 2 bedrooms left as it was a full house. We put the suitcases down and called the front desk to tell them that some lost luggage would probably show up in the morning and it was already there. Apparently someone had taken it by mistake and brought it right back to the airport. Problem solved. Headed down to Indiana Beach for drinks (kitchen already closed) and enjoyed mudslides on our empty tummies.After a few of those, we walked (?) back to our rooms, unpacked a few things, set up the coffee pot and off to bed for a few hours sleep.<br><br>We got up early on Sunday, had breakfast at Indiana and headed for the beach where the sand gravity instantly kicked in. We all had a very bad case of it and it was even tough going to the BBB for lunch. Great cheeseburgers, hot dogs, sausages, etc. Mudslides yummy also. Spent the afternoon reading and napping at the pool. Dinner and show at Cheri's (not my choice - same thing as last time), a few dollars given to the Casino next door, stopped at SSBB for a nightcap and headed for some much needed sleep.<br>Tuesday, the beach chairs kept calling us, we could hear them from our balcony, so after coffee we went down, sat in the jacouzzi for a while and same thing - just different day.<br>Did some small provision shopping for salads, cheese and crackers at RAMS and went to the Boatyard for dinner. For some reason Bannana's was closed for a couple of days so did not get there this trip. Had filets and NY strips at Boatyard, very good. Service was fine and the place was full. There was no wait but most tables were taken. <br>We noticed that week that most places were half empty, so could not figure out where everyone was. <br>Tuesday hubby and I headed over to Marys Boon to see Dicky as I was not sure what was happening for the get-together at Hot Tomatoes. Met Frank who was his very charming self and of course one of the Islands best public relations people, Dicky. Went to HT around 6 and enjoyed<br>the company of fellow TTOLers, I think we had close to 30 or so. Neil showed up and took anyone who wanted on a mini-cruise. We passed as we were doing the Pub Crawl on Wednesday and headed out to Laguna for dinner.<br>I know it is noted for Italian food, but I just love their salmon and once again was not disappointed.<br>Wednesday did the obligatory shopping in PBurg and Maho and over to Marigot. Picked up a few trinkets and cheap cigarettes and did the Pub Crawl on Wednesday. Hot Tomatoes served great appetizers, the rum punch was there and once again saw Dicky and Frank. The crawl was lots of fun, a Irish singer on board and Neil's mate Byron made the trip very enjoyable. Talked to Dicky when we got back around 10pm for a few minutes and headed back to Hollywood Casino where I just had a drink while the others made their contribution to the house.<br>Thursday found us at the pool once again reading an meeting some nice folks staying at the Atrium. Did BBB for lunch and Lee's for ribs was on tap for dinner. He had a nice duo there, with steel drums, etc. 3 of us had the ribs and one the snapper all of which was very good. Once again, not too busy but noticed Bannana's was open and quite crowded. Will do the prime rib there the next time on Wednesday evening if they still are doing that. We left Lees around 11 and a few patrons came in for the music and drinks. <br>We knew Friday was our last full day, so got up early and enjoyed a stroll on the beach, had French Pastries and coffee for breakfast and finished up salad, fruit etc. for lunch. As it was our last evening, we went to Indiana for dinner, very good and it was quite crowded. Leslie from Kennys even came over and looked at the car on Friday and settled up so there would be no rush so early on Saturday. He really is nice and will use Kennys again. Can't beat the service. Our friends went to Hollywood Casino to deposit some more money and we stayed and talked with two really great people, Henri and Sophie who work at Indiana. They are very nice warm people. Had a couple of nightcaps with the conversation and headed back to the room to sit on the balcony for a few minutes before finishing our packing. Our flight back was early Saturday at 7:00am. Got to the airport at 6am, they went through our luggage but not our friends, long line to pay the departure tax as quite a few flights apparently go out early or they were just checking in for later flights. In any event we got to SJU on time, went through Immigration, headed for Customs and Immigration forgot to stamp our card. Hubby had to run back and get it stamped. Our friends got a little bit worried that something went wrong, but all was ok. Got better seats for SJU/BOS - once again that flight was only about half full. Back to Boston around 2pm and now we have DIF<br>but....................................................<br>ONE HUNDRED SIXTY EIGHT DAYS TO GO.