Our daughter Barbara and new hubby, Robert returned from their honeymoon in San Juan PR and St. Martin. They had a really great time! The weather was rainy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" /> at times but fairly decent most of the time. They enjoyed Old San Juan <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pirate.gif" alt="" /> , the forts and the rain forest.They also enjoyed the Bacardi Factory <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" />! They stayed at the Embassy Suites in Dorado Del Mar and were very pleased with the hotel. They wished thay had time to go to the caves (Cumay Caves?) and would have loved to go to a baseball game while there , but not enough time. They arrived in St. Martin on the evening of June 10. They were greeted by a kind gentleman (Bruce?) from Kenny's Car Rental. He gave them some helpful information on car saftey and "not to lock anything in the car or trunk to prevent brake in". He was right on time and the car was in very good condition. I give Kenny's Car Rental two <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> for excellence!! After settling the formalities of the car rental, the kids headed to La Vista Resort. There was a tropical storm in the area, it was dark, the roads pretty rough from the heavy rain storm from the day before, and the street signs were very difficult to find. As they drove down the dark, pot holed road, they were beginning to wonder.."what on earth have dad and mom gotten us into?" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> When they arrived at La Vista resort, they were pleasantly greeted and they were very satisfied with their room. However, the air-conditioner didn't work and the heat and humidity made it difficult to sleep. (The maintenance worked on it for a couple of days but were unable to fix it.) Robert finally asked to be moved to another room and the La Vista staff were very kind and appoligetic. Another <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> ! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/snore.gif" alt="" /> They moved the kids to a suite at no extra cost. Barbara and Robert were thrilled. It rained quite hard on their first full day. Being from Southern California, we are not used to extremely heavy rain (although we have had our share this last year!) ,This gave them an opportunity to rest a little <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/snore.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/snore.gif" alt="" /> , and enjoy the hotel the first day, then they went out and began to explore St. Martin.
They visited many beaches and found them all to be beautiful. They rented chairs and umbrella from Pack Lite. They were right on time with the delivery arrangements made via email. Another two <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> The chairs and umbrella were only used a few times on the days when the weather was perfect, but the kids were really glad to have them ! They tried several restaraunts <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> suggested on TTOL and in response to a post we made for cheap eating places. Thanks especially to <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> Michelle and Louise <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> for your kind responses and emails <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/typing.gif" alt="" /> and useful suggestions! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
Barbara and Robert loved Sunset Beach Bar and found it quite entertaining to watch the large jets land and take off and the people hanging onto the fence when the jets take off. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cool.gif" alt="" /> They went there several times. Robert and Barbara ate at several suggested restraunts <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/chef.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/chef.gif" alt="" /> and managed to stay within their budget. They went on the Pub Crawl on the Celine. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> They had a great time! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/newyears.gif" alt="" /> Fortunately this part was toward the end of their trip because Robert doesn't usually drink much <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pepsi.gif" alt="" /> (especially hard liquor). When he does drink, he usually does not exceed a couple of drinks in an evening. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" /> WELL,...... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />...... that punch Captain Neil serves on the Celine is mighty tasty ! As were the drinks at the pubs they stopped at on the Pub Crawl. Robert pretty much lost count after about two <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" /> Barbara says they had a great time, and met some great people <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />!! Robert, unfortunately, paid <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" /> for a couple of days afterward <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" /> LOL. We now see why it's called a Pub Crawl <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> During their stay at St. Martin, they shopped for a few souveniers in Phillipsburg, visited Marigot and several other spots on the island. They went on the Banana Boats and went snorkeling. They tried to find the "Butterfly Farm", but the people at the hotel didn't know what the Kids were talking about. I think it must be called something different on St. Martin. All in all, their honeymoon report came back a complete success, and a dream come true!! Thanks to all you TTOL'rs, especially my friend and co-worker Kathy H. for all her support, suggestions and encouragement. Kathy and Ron are in St. Martin as I write this post! Did you get Ron that new Speedo yet?? I hope you're having a great time!!
Thanks to All!!
Carole (aka gankles)
.
