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And so it begins..... #252846
04/14/2021 08:54 PM
04/14/2021 08:54 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline OP
Traveler
pat  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
And so it begins.......

The past two months have been very stressful for my family - all the typical things that can come up and all of them well resolved - but our SXM vacation came very close to a last minute cancellation because of DH’s need for surgery and the uncertainty as to how it would go. Not life threatening surgery but surgery none the less and all surgery becomes major when it’s yours. He had his two week post surgical check-up last week and the doctor saw no reason he couldn’t benefit from recuperating on a warm sunny beach so we were good to go as long as he promised to rest up and take it easy.

We had reserved a unit at BSV at least a year ago and after JB cancelled our original flights we rebooked with AA and were able to get good flights from our regional airport and in First Class no less.

All that stood in our way was wading through the currently required testing protocols and we knew we should be Golden since we had both completed our Covid vaccinations as well as the waiting period for maximum benefit. So we made our appointments for and got our PCR tests done and we thought we were home free.

As instructed by the local hospital lab who did them, I went Monday morning to pick up the hard copies and they had no record of us having been tested and no idea why. My heart dropped into my shoes because we had problems last November with the testing and approvals and this was deja vu. After much ado and a few tears on my part, daughter Kimby to the rescue once again. She found a local lab that would allow us to do walk-in antigen testing that was acceptable to EHAS and would allow us to walk out with the paperwork fifteen minutes later. She even picked us up and drove us there advocating on our behalf every inch of the way. She submitted the paperwork to SXM and we both had our approvals within two hours. There is a God in heaven, for sure.

So here we are, happily ensconced in our favorite BSV unit. No sleep last night since we had early flights and our driver was picking us up at 4 a.m. but all things in consideration, it was worth the tears, stress and added anxiety just to be here. The property looks lovely and even having been here last November I can still see signs of the constant up-grading and improvements the owners make.

We flew AA from White Plains to Charlotte and then into SXM. First Class and Business were full on both flights but the rest of the plane was pretty much empty - I think they said the total flight load was only 55 people. For reasons that aren’t worth going into, I did wheelchair service in Charlotte and SXM. We actually landed about five minutes early and they whisked us off the plane and through the airport including claiming our checked luggage and we were met by Lesley Bruce of Kenny’s Car Rentals and in our rental car in about a half an hour and we were on our way to sixteen days of ilon bliss.

Our unit had already been efficiently stocked by Jeannie of Shopndrop grocery provisioning service. We unpacked our luggage and put everything away and headed out to Mark’s Place for lunch. I had the chicken Caesar salad and John had their yummy steamed mussels which, with a few glasses of iced tea, came to a whopping $40.00. They do NOT include the service as so many places do these days and they DO allow you to include as much of a gratuity as you choose on your charge card.

After lunch we picked up a few items at Carrefour I had forgotten to order and took a short ride before calling it a day. Off to lalaland to hopefully find some of the sleep we misplaced yesterday.

And so it has begun...........


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
SXM Sponsors
Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252847
04/14/2021 09:08 PM
04/14/2021 09:08 PM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146
Louisiana
o2bnsxm Offline
Traveler
o2bnsxm  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146
Louisiana
Sounds like you had a few bumps in the road, but it's great you finally made it. Enjoy !!! Sounds like you earned it !!

Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252855
04/14/2021 11:20 PM
04/14/2021 11:20 PM
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
S
SammyM Offline
Traveler
SammyM  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
The important thing is that you made it! What trip or vacation ever goes smoothly without a few 'hitches' along the way? Now you can enjoy the weather and relax for the next two weeks.

Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252856
04/15/2021 12:15 AM
04/15/2021 12:15 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,253
Boynton Beach, FL
EdB Offline
Traveler
EdB  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,253
Boynton Beach, FL
Enjoy every minute of your much needed vacation. Hope the ''time bandit'' doesn't rob you of the time spent there. I swear i never had a faster three weeks in my life. wink

Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252857
04/15/2021 01:08 AM
04/15/2021 01:08 AM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 480
Northern California
T
thesimpsons Offline
Traveler
thesimpsons  Offline
Traveler
T
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 480
Northern California
I hope you and your husband have a wonderful, restful and stress free visit!

Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252858
04/15/2021 05:12 AM
04/15/2021 05:12 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
Traveler
ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Thanks for checking in. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures.


J.D.
Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252860
04/15/2021 05:27 AM
04/15/2021 05:27 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,561
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
Traveler
BillandElaine  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,561
St Maarten
Welcome back Pat and John!


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252862
04/15/2021 06:49 AM
04/15/2021 06:49 AM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 389
East Haven, CT
Wingman Offline
Traveler
Wingman  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 389
East Haven, CT
I'm so happy to see you are finally there Pat. I'll be thinking of you and John and what a wonderful time you'll be having over the next couple of weeks. Enjoy every minute of it. Looking forward to hearing about your days.

Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252863
04/15/2021 07:01 AM
04/15/2021 07:01 AM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 419
Beverly MA (Boston's North Sho...
timnboston Online content
Traveler
timnboston  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 419
Beverly MA (Boston's North Sho...
Always great to hear someone has persevered and arrived safely for a fabulous vacation in Paradise - ENJOY! And we can all share vicariously

Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252864
04/15/2021 07:07 AM
04/15/2021 07:07 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 825
Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Leagle49 Offline
Traveler
Leagle49  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 825
Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Welcome home Pat! So happy you made it. Enjoy! We certainly did!

Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252867
04/15/2021 07:24 AM
04/15/2021 07:24 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline OP
Traveler
pat  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
Thank you all for your thoughts and good wishes. I’m sure our time here will be wonderful as it always is. And it’s amazing how a good nights sleep can make all things seem better and better things even better yet, even being in St. Maarten.

As quiet as our trips generally are, I’m thinking this one will be even moreso and I hope you aren’t bored to tears but it will be what it will be.

This morning there is almost no seaweed along the stretch of our beach and I see one working ship and one cruise ship in the near waters. What lovely sights and sounds to awake to. But the mere fact of being here is wonderful.


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252869
04/15/2021 07:58 AM
04/15/2021 07:58 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 225
Michigan
cathym Offline
Traveler
cathym  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 225
Michigan
Hi Pat,

I hope you enjoy a relaxing and zero-stress vacation. We’re heading down next Friday - it’s supposed to snow here today so that makes the upcoming trip that much better.

Glad the seaweed has subsided!

Kind regards,

Cathy

Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252870
04/15/2021 08:02 AM
04/15/2021 08:02 AM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
fabila Offline
Traveler
fabila  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
Pat & John have a wonderful vacation. Looking forward to hearing about your trip as you see fit.

Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252872
04/15/2021 08:22 AM
04/15/2021 08:22 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
Traveler
GaKaye  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
Wow Pat! What would you do without Kim?? Rhetorical question, of course....crazy that you had testing problems again! I'm so happy you and John are back in your happy place; give my traveling buddies a big hug from me and "Richard".

Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252875
04/15/2021 08:40 AM
04/15/2021 08:40 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Wow, lady, you sure have had more than your fair share of problems with all this testing stuff!!! dragon

16 days???????? How did you talk John into that?? grin

Enjoy!!


Carol Hill
Re: And so it begins..... [Re: GaKaye] #252881
04/15/2021 09:04 AM
04/15/2021 09:04 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline OP
Traveler
pat  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
Georgia,

Re Kim - I might not be here in SXM for starters, and re your good buds - Will do when I see them.

Carol,

For once I just did it with no discussion first but since he’s still recuperating he hasn’t given me any argument. However, we’ll see what happens around about day ten since that’s about when he usually gets antsy. Funny thing though about this trip - he was actually more determined we make it than I was and that’s a huge switch. 😊😊


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252882
04/15/2021 09:12 AM
04/15/2021 09:12 AM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,093
CaribLee Offline
Traveler
CaribLee  Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,093
Welcome to the island Pat. Hope you and John have as much fun and relaxation as we are having. Maybe our paths will cross.

Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252885
04/15/2021 09:39 AM
04/15/2021 09:39 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Pat--no place better on earth to recover than at BSV!!


Carol Hill
Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252890
04/15/2021 09:55 AM
04/15/2021 09:55 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
Glad you were able to negotiate all those hoops. Enjoy your trip.

Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252894
04/15/2021 10:15 AM
04/15/2021 10:15 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,259
Kennys Offline
Traveler
Kennys  Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,259
Welcome back Dear Folks and just enjoy your vacation by just chilling and taking it easy.

Re: And so it begins..... [Re: pat] #252913
04/15/2021 02:06 PM
04/15/2021 02:06 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 367
CT
MamaB Offline
Traveler
MamaB  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 367
CT
Hope you and John relax and have a fabulous "boring" 16 day vacation like we did in March. Love "boring" vacations!!!


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