All I can say again about our trip to st martin is WOW!

This was our 2nd trip in less than a year and was definately better than the 1st trip, maybe cuz we were celebrating our 13 yr. anniversary & my b.day or cuz this trip was longer, 12 days instead of 7, or maybe a little bit of both but needless to say it was GREAT <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

On Sat. 10/18 we departed Orlando FL 745 am to Charlotte flight on time, plane was full, seemed like alot of kids/families that were at disney....got to charlotte, had enough time to grab a beer then to the gate for our next part of the trip, uneventful, however, US air was asking for 4 volunteers was giving out r/t ticket to the islands, but we just wanted to get to sxm and have at least 1/2 day at the beach, they did find 4 people in no time...arrived 15 min. late, there was like 5 planes that landed at the same time so immigration was horrid....line was out the door and out into the parking lot past the overhang outside, thank God were from FL we were in shorts , I felt sorry for others traveling from up north bundeled up, they were changing anywhere they could ....1-1/2 to 2 hours on line finally got outside it was 4pm; suppose to meet Leslie with Kenny's car rental, got worried <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> cuz we didnt see him anywhere, Al walked to the center of the parking lot while I went back to look <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I finally spotted him out, tapped on his shoulder, told him my name and at first he was like "who" "who", then after saying our name 2-3x he said "oh, yeah".....and off we were in less than 5 minutes no lie....white toyota carolla same as in April, bought the liability used the visa platnum card for collision coverage and we were on our way <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> Kudos to Leslie for not standing us up <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> it also helped to use the same guy as the 1st time cuz I knew who to look for in a crowd, which sure does help <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

1st stop was 7-alive, 6 pack coke, 12 pack presidenties <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> then to Le'Hoste, checked in, got towels, off to orient for a swim by 430, day was shot but we still got in 1-1/2 hours swim time <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />better than none..., went to g.c for dinner, Le Tastevain, the place was empty, only 1 other table had 4 people, we ate waterside, got our pick of tables, appitzer was scallops in passion fruit sauce (to die for) I had grilled mahi mahi w/pastachio crust, Al had shrimp/scallops in cream sauce, dessert was apple coconut crumble with vanilla ice cream also very good <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Just about everyday we ate complementary b.fast at the hotel, yogurt, fresh fruit, basket of bread/danish, cereal, coffee/tea, juice, everyday we had fresh pineapple, juice and pastry to start the day off <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Sun. Since everything was closed we stayed on orient beach am/Friars Bay pm - late lunch at friars bay beach club, Al ate sole fish, I had mahi mahi sishkabob, went snorkeling to the far right by the rocks, some really nice fish, watched an awesome sunset, great photos, dinner was at cote plage orient village (didnt feel like driving wanted to indulge <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />; appitizer was goat cheese toast, Al had sweet pepper grouper, I had tuna steak both very very good <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> nice atmosphere too, the night before they had a jazz band playing outside it was awesome <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />. great strawberry daquiri's too <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Met a wonderful couple from NJ that was sitting next to us, struck up a conversation on things to do on the island since they've been to sxm more times than us....wound up meeting them later in the week out of coincidence....

Mon. drove to phillipsburg for supplies and shopping since no cruise ships....went to the left this time since in April we only went right, found our way to the greenhouse pub, the marina, stopped by Marks place bought 2 lovely table cloths, very good prices cuz no cruise shippers were in and it was still low season <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />, picked up a skirt/halter top for 5 bucks less just have to walk around to find it cheaper, went to DK gems to see Deepti and Jeff to say hi <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />; shopped for some glittery treasures, chatted for a while, then off to get some liquor, cigars and off to the supermarket Le Grand Marche on bush rd.; picked up the norm, case beer hinies, french bread, cheese, pineapple......then stopped at Bannanas for late lunch, (didnt get there in April so I made sure we did this trip) had fried oysters, fried mushrooms and shrimp blimps <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />all very very good <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> back to orient for a late day swim, dinner was at Grain del Sol by anse marcel - I had a salad, then we ordered 2 pizzas thinking they were small, but they weren't so we wound up taking almost a whole pie back to the hotel for another nite's meal, food was good for the price

Tues. up early off to marigot catch the ferry to anguilla 10pp one way, 2.50 dep. tax each, then on way back its 3.00 dep tax and 10 pp return fare, wound up meeting our friends from NJ before departing, a man spoke to us re: ride to shoal bay when we get to the other side, wound up being Nell from the book by the Blanchards, he has a 14 passenger a/c van he charges 5pp r/t; so the 4 of us reserved with him, Nell had a microphone so he told us some history/stories, etc. cuz he grew up on anguilla so it was very informative, dropped us all off at shoal bay, asks when we want to get picked up; all agreed for 4:30, walked down to uncle earnies, chairs were 2 for $12, had our own cooler so we were fine with drinks, 3 of us snorkeled most of the afternoon away, tried out my new digital &waterproof housing for the 1st time, BEST beach i've ever seen, sand was like powder, crystal clear water, there is 2 reefs that go way out, ALOT of fish to see, big and small, late lunch at Uncle Earnies, all 4 of us had the red snapper, cole slaw/fries, at least 6 drinks, bill was 57 bucks ! wonderful 4berry daquiris they make and I mean wonderful <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> and the snapper was out of this world <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />more snorkeling to the left now instead of the right, the right was much better though....took the 5pm ferry back the 6pm ferry was 2 bucks more they told us probably charge for the sunset but that day was so cloudy it didnt matter, 11am-430 what a hell of a day on shoal bay <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> this is what life is all about my friends! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />, forgot where was that night,

Wed. went on rino riders at 930 am; happen to meet up with our NJ friends once again, dynomite time, creole rock had some awesome fish to see really big rainbow colored ones, figures this day I didnt have my underwater camera ! back by 12ish, checked out Jimbos texmex with George & Debbie, ate some appitizers, sat at the swim up bar <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />way too cool <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />stayed 2 hours then off to our friends place to check it out oyster bay beach resort, pool is awesome overlooking the water <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> nice resort, clean rooms with nice furnishings <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> very nice place, left by 5ish; late swim at orient, shower/dress off to dinner at Le Piccillo to meet Debbie & George, place was packed (nice to see cuz the island was very very uncrowded due to low season); dinner from 8-11 that's how busy the guys were, veal tenderloin for us 2, forgot what deb and george had but all was good very good <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Thurs. up and atim for Random Wind our anniversary day, met up with martin to collect the $, however, he was playing mr. mom so Ed was to be our captain for the day and a new mate too, wonderful day 2 younger boys all other adults 14 of us, enjoyable day, friars had LOTS of jelley fish so we left quickly, stopped at bay rouge for some snorkeling by the caves, only a few jellies, then off to happy bay for lunch stop then swimming, the younger boys enjoyed the views <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Hairy.gif" alt="" /> since there were a few couples on happy bay.....stopped by La Samana for another swim, the bluebeard even dropped off 2 6packs of hinies for us no charge <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />nice of them ! even got to see KLM plane take off by SSBB and 1 smaller plane coming in for a landing right over us, great day ! even got a beautiful sunset at kim shaw beach after the trip <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />, got some more wonderful photos of that <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Fri. we met up with debbie & george on orient beach by le'hoste hotel, was their last day there so they wanted as much beach and sun as possible, lunch at baywatch 1 order of mussels left so we split them up between us 4, delicious <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> grouper sandwhiches for us girls, margarita shrimp for Al and george had the meatball parmesian sub, all very very good <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />; great weather for the day, on the beach till 5 said our goodbyes to our new friends, we went back for more swim time, then dinner was at cote plage again since it was soo soo good the first time, I had the tuna again, Al had shrimp rosotto, eggplant w/goat cheese and salad for appitizer w/basil vinigarette....mmmmm...to die for <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />; had some coconut and pastachio ice cream from the little shop in orient villlage next to le fish bar, verry good stuff <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Sat. 7am nude walk on orient beach down to club O andall the way to end of tip of island there, gone for couple hours, then off driving to get late b.fast of ribs off side of road by senior home a pink house, going towards dawn beach in Dutch Quarters, then stopped at grocery store Afood next to dominos pizza, beer, etna ice cream, next was pharmacy for skin moisturizer, on way back stopped at paradise view met the owner claudette and boyfriend jerry, a christian singer on st martin, wonderful people, wound up staying for 2 hours drinking guavaberry coladas, jerry was doing dishes and found a BIG dead centipede showed it to us and got the e-b-G-bies boy do they have big pinchers on them, he put it in a water bottle for safety reasons even though it was dead from drowning.....Claudette was telling us about a couple who was staying at our resort on their honeymoon, they were in the other day.....well low and behold a half hour later here they came in.....nice people, wound up that they live a couple towns away from us on Long Island, had good conversations all of us, claudette made us free appitizers, fried meatballs with sauce, very good stuff, Al was joking they were probably goat balls (he he) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />, Jerry had to run off for an audition, claudette played one of his cd's he made (he has several), very talented man, voice of an angel too, after 2 hours on our way out while saying our goodbyes to the honeymooners, found out that the guy Jim works p/t at a marina in LI, I said really, do you know so and so, she worked there years ago....his eyes got real big and says yeah, she still works there....I then tell him that I use to babysit her kids, small world ! wont she be surprised to hear who he met while on his honeymoon! off to orient beach 230-6pm snorkeling by the first floating dock by Club O some nice fish on the reefs there, late lunch at baywatch, broiled scallops and margarita shrimp.....dinner was at bannanas again, had 3 orders of mussels with garlic and butter and 2 orders of shripm blimps, drove to hot tomatoes afterwards to watch rest of world series, EMPTY to say the least, had a drink with Gabe then off to home, rained on and off from 5pm to 11pm, seen rainbow on orient <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Sun. went to dawn beach, real windy, couldn't snorkel, ate at Ms. b's ribs were ok, dont care for sauce on ribs that;s the only way they come, the locals serve better ribs on side of road our opinion ....but had to try and see what everyone talks about....decent amount of food for price, swam for hour or so then off to orient beach to sun our buns for the rest of day, dinner at lees, they had a local band singing and playing music very entertaining <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />; I had mahi mahi Al had snapper, both good, price was good too <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> would of liked to hang out longer but staying on the french side kills us to drive late at night...

Mon. was my b.day, trip to phillipsburg, see if my sparkly items were ready from DK Gems, no ships in today, chatted for over 2 hours with jeff and deepti, Al bought me a beautiful pendant for my b.day <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />. just happens to match my other items I bought myself <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> thanks again Deepti and Jeff much Kudos to all of you at DK Gems for taking care of us so well <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> one of my favorite places to go <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> and nice to be able to be shown exclusive items that just came in before anyone else sees them <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> nice to have friends in high places, more cigar shopping and booze, the guava berry man loved us this day! on our way back to hotel, we stopped in GC for ribs from talk of the town, 2 racks ribs, order of rice/beans and I just had to try the homemade coconut ice cream TO DIE FOR !! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> couldnt beat the price of it all ! I swear the locals have better food then the restaurants! Ate at the hotel on the balcony, then off to green key got the beach boys to ride us over on jet skis, 1-5 pm we were there, had our cooler, beer, pineapple, snorkeled for an hour or so to the left, some nice fish over there too, had 2 couples visit us while there by boat and 1 man who swam over, didnt stay long so it was nice to have the place to ourselves for my b.day <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />; picked up by dingy boat back to orient for early evening swim, off to bannanas for b.day dinner, stuffed mahi mahi for me, crab stuffed mushrooms for appitizer, Al had shrimp I believe....Al asked Bob to bring out a cake for my b.day, in which he served me a slice of key lime pie, the whole place sang too, and it happend to be the owner of the Tango ship's b.day also, he was there eating and celebrating also, what a coincidence....great nite....Bob from Bannanas also gave me a nice gift.....more for Allan then for me though but it was still nice of him to do that <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />, Bob is such a wonderful entertaining bartender that's what really makes that place great and the food it wonderful too <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> that makes 3 times for us in 12 days~ <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> they've got our vote ! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Tues. was our last day, departing at 345pm; awake at 530 to catch the one and only sunrise of the trip needed to see at least 1 sunrise....GREAT pictures too <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />, after b.fast drove to airport for early checkin, us air suppose to open at 10am due to time change they didnt open till 11am, waited the hour, got back to hotel around 12 after stopping at Le Grand Marche for more beer....then to orient for one last swim, had almost 2 hours swim time, bought a couple paintings for souvineers from the locals on the beach, fed some doggies my leftover ribs,became our friends instantly, al played in the water with 2 of them, had a hard time getting Al out of the water to leave, easy check out, said goodbye to Orlando and Carl, great guys that take care of Le Hoste, Orlando had to run off some of the french kids that live nearby who were terrorizing vacationers in the pool, just whistle and he'll come and see what you need .....Le Hoste was a great place to stay at, Carl let us check out late beings how no-one was arriving in that room <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> should of stayed at the beach all day and not do the early check in at the airport.....live and learn i guess....definately will stay there again, 3rd floor room, only a couple nights we could hear the music banging the same rythim over and over at Bikini got annoying after a while....room was clean, spacious, very nice wicker furniture, king bed, we'll be back soooooonnnnn....was late returning the car to Kenny's.....due to an accident by the Harley dealership....backed up traffic, called Leslie on his cell, said he had to leave to pick up his girl from school, be there in 5 min. and he was.....no time to grab a bite to eat at the restaurant, shucks, really wanted to, instead grabbed a hot dog and small pizza by the gate and off we went in no time.....uneventful flight, charlotte was a breeze in customs, no line at 7pm, got stopped to see what was in our cooler, then off to re-check luggage, the screener was going to give us a hard time about how much liquor we had, told her it was homemade rum on the island (we had 7 bottles madaudo and 5 bottles guava berry mans), and there was no limit .....she said it wasnt true.....then said "give me your cards and get the heck out of here".....so we practally ran before she could change her mind and confiscate any <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> guess my angel was with us that day ! Enough time to grab a beer on the way to the gate, then sat for 10 min. and boarding time, off to orlando and made it there on time home around 945 pm.....10 minute wait for luggage if that....then found our driver with his towncar waiting for us and on our way back home. Doggies were happy to see us and so was my mom, first thing she said to me was "Michelle your black", guess after 12 days in paradise you'd be too!

General observations were the island was very very slow, due to low season, restaurants were not crowded at all, island started to get rain the last couple nights we were there, it was green when we got there but then started to brown up, then got green again as we left, alot of road work, paving the road by g.c airport, lots of new houses being built on dawn beach on the cliffs, simpson bay is putting in concrete bulk heads for boats, locals are just as friendly as ever, the french were bitter we noticed so we tried to eat at the locals instead since they are heartwarming and ejoyable, dollar was down while there ours 1.15 to their 1, only one that matched was baywatch, water was 84 degrees and day we left was 82, we enjoyed Oct. better than April, water warmer, calmer, no crowds, better prices and bargains......now trying to get back to paradise <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/typing.gif" alt="" /> cuz the water here in florida just isn't as blue or as warm.....but I'll take 85 degrees today anyway.....all of you that are heading down ENJOY !! cuz we sure did~