Highlights... No flight problems with AA - alias with repetition of shoe inspections, but an extraordinarily slow return flight check in at SXM. On the return through San Juan, immigration and customs are faster than Miami. With a pick up of Hertz car, headed to Club Orient. A deluge of rain greeted us as we hit the road to the resort with more potholes than I’ve seen in years – a benefit perhaps, as it was no longer suitable for the local hotrods without a Hummer. Brief tropical showers followed as typical for October making for lush vegetation. With the threat of a hurricane no longer likely this season, St. Martin has escaped without damage.

Club-O is in fine condition with no apparent change as the result of new ownership, and no significant change expected in the foreseeable future. At the Papagayo, a new chef will be on board November 1. The palms are producing good crop of coconuts, so avoid placing your body on a lounge or park a car below the target area!

Inspections of the other hotels in the Orient Bay area we represent were also in good condition. Some of the most notable improvements... La Plantation, the units being upgraded - suites with new kitchen appliances, attractive color enhancements and new furnishings. Overdue progress has been made to trim vegetation that previously blocked water views. At the Esmeralda, a number of superior-category rooms have been upgraded to deluxe-status with attractive furnishings. Several of the newer villas and condos were also inspected -- 9 villas near the beach are still available for the Christmas-New Year holidays.

Active construction continues from just beyond the Alamanda Resort towards Club Orient. That is the last major section to be developed at Orient Beach... with the low-marsh area behind Baywatch reserved for environmental protection... surely hope so!

Our best new restaurant on this trip was the Pizzeria across from the pharmacy at French Cul-de-Sac. Not only excellent pizzas, but also a comprehensive dinner menu and fine wine list... and quite reasonable. It was also our first dining at Planet Orient Beach with nice ambiance, acceptable entrées, pleasant service, and big screen music on DVD.

Jim