Our vacation was pretty sedate. Spent days on the beaches, snorkeling, or shopping. <br><br>Speaking of shopping, if you go shopping in Phillipsburg, don't limit yourself to Front Street. The street behind Front, 2 blocks away from the beach and accessible by the alleyways, is also loaded with stores. I think it is more of a locals shopping spot, whereas Front Street is more for tourists. The shops have more household goods, and are much plainer than on Front, but I found some great authentic souvenirs to take home. (Island cookies for example were a full $3 less than at the souvenir shop on Front.)<br><br>Also, use American dollars on the Dutch side, but get Euros on the French side. The French side by the way has fabulous coffee. <br><br>MULLET BAY: Mullet Bay geography-wise is a beautiful beach. There are cliffs on either side of the beach and reportedly caves just around the bend going east toward Maho. A local though advised us not to go exploring because once inside the cave it is difficult to get back out. Indeed, the current at Mullet is very strong. I am a scuba diver and after snorkeling without fins, I had a tiring time getting back to shore. I thought Mullet was very expensive, especially compared to Dawn Beach. Two chairs and an umbrella were $12 and no free rum punches like at Ms. B's. Beers were $3. The beach itself has nice shade trees, but there was trash all over the beach. Bottles, bottle caps, broken glass under the trees. The water was not as clean either--trash strewn sporadically throughout. (I pulled out a several pieces of what seemed to have been a blue plastic bag, what looked like a pull tab from a gallon of milk, and other bits and pieces.) It wasn't overwhelming, but noticeable just the same. <br><br>I swear the sun is more intense on the western side of the island. I dont typically use high SPF sunscreen, but that day I wish I had. I got the worst sunburn--so bad that I could not wear a bathing suit top the next day, which is why we ventured to...<br><br>ORIENT BEACH: I had heard so much about Orient that I had to visit just once, and since I was too burned to wear a swimsuit, today seemed to be the day. If you approach Orient from the north and you want to go to the most active part, do not take the first turnoff you see (the big sign that says Orient Beach and Boo Boo Jam.) Keep going until you see hotel signs.<br><br>Boo Boo Jam is a cool beach bar, and at the westernmost end of the beach. Chairs and umbrellas didnt cost us anything, though they weren't the cushiest and the beach wasn't as clean as Dawn. The further east you go down Orient, the more people and activity you find, the less clothing, and the higher the prices. <br><br>I dont remember the names of the beach bars, but the one with the red chairs and cushions seemed the most upscale. Chairs were $7 each, but they were plush. We didnt go any further down than the third beach bar (Bikini?) but stayed at Boo Boo Jam where there were fewer people. <br><br>With so few people, I had less inhibitions about going topless. Anyone else as intimidated by the prospect as I was, relax. It's really no big deal. I was afraid everyone would have perfect bodies and I would look awful next to them. Uh, no. And if you are worried about your significant other looking at other women, don't. He will find it so erotic that YOU are topless that he won't even remember there are other women around. <br><br>Part 5: The end, I promise