Back now for a few days from another wonderful week in paradise! This time, unlike last, we traveled using Delta miles right to the island from Atlanta. Going and coming connections were flawless and even got upgraded out of Julianna on the way back! Blessings of being Platinum. The airport was crazy on the return but we minimized our time there, and were looking forward to first class, so no big deal.<br><br>No day to day reports for me.. just a few points:<br><br>On the negative side: <br><br> [Linked Image]Food seems more expensive, even in the grocery stores. <br><br>[Linked Image]Lots of resturaunts closed, particularly Portofinos when we tried on a rainy night to eat on the cheap.<br><br>That's all for negative (not much).<br><br>Positive:<br><br>[Linked Image]Great weather, even if Tropical Dep. #6 moved through and forced us to take a shopping day.<br><br>[Linked Image]Island greener than ever. Goat herds everywhere and healthy cows munching on the side of the road.<br><br>[Linked Image]California (resturaunt) in Grand Case. Wonderful monkfish, wine, sunset.<br><br>[Linked Image]DK Gems. Can't say enough good about Deepti! She's very professional and knowledgeable. She represents her store confidently but never pushed us beyond what we were comfortable with. She anticipated out worries about letting Cathy's diamond out of our site (for resetting) and set up a time with the jewelers so we could watch. We're completely satisfied with our purchaces (plural) and their value. I know she reads these posts. You have loyal customers now [Linked Image]<br><br>[Linked Image]Baywatch's eggplant parmesean dinner plate. Wow [Linked Image] I had no idea. Great value, great price and a huge plate of food!<br><br>[Linked Image]The fact that we were expecting the worst from the beach at Club O and found a situtation that wasn't so bad at all. The beach is still there, just re-configured a bit.<br><br>[img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img]AAA rentals. Good servicable car that had cold AC and got over the hill. Paid 50% less than I did with Hertz last year. Also, very nice to see your name on a sign when you get off the airplane.<br><br>[img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img]Body surfing in front of Mt. Vernon in the morning. Somehow we seemed to just go faster and farther. [img]/images/icons2/wink.gif[/img]<br><br>[img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img]Havana Club from Cuba. The best rum in the world! Three bottles later, we're still convinced.[img]/images/icons2/crazy.gif[/img]<br><br>[img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img]Tiko Tiko. Last year, I'm thinking.. a short sailboat ride to a island where you can't get out of the sun to sit all day?? Well, now we understand the appeal. Great conversation, wonderful lunch, great sea-breezes and rum punch.<br><br>[img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img]Rics cafe on the way home with a rental car full of luggage so we could sit and relax, have a lunch and watch the car. Food is ok taste wise, decent value.<br><br>[img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img][img]/images/icons2/thumbsup.gif[/img]The opportunity to do all of this with the most beautiful girl in the world, my wife of 17 years.[img]/images/icons2/joy.gif[/img]<br><br>Better than last year. We're hooked.

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