[color:"white"][color:"blue"]Now that I had a crazy 2 weeks at work I figured it was time to sit down and think back about the great week I had at SXM. Pictures coming soon. It also helped me recall what I did in order to share it (should start writing it [color:"blue"]down).

[color:"blue"][color:"blue"]10/22-Sat. Morning.[/color] 9:40 am Newark Cont. non-stop to SXM (orig. time was 8:45am, never informed why it changed) Flight was booked, rough ride for most of the flight. I can't recall if the seat belt light ever went off. Made it hard for those who had to make it back to the end of the plane to the loo. The flight crew had to secure the carts and sit it out a few times. Landed on the great island to sunshine <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> I was going to try just carry on this time, but hurt my shoulder the week before so had to get the luggage with the rest of the crowd. Not that long of a wait. Met up outside with a nice young man from Unity who saw that I was struggling with a carry on and a roller. Helped me and my luggage load up, 5 minutes later at Unity. Smiles all around when I met with Mike to pick up the car. I had also made arrangement with Pack Light to drop off chairs and an umbrella. Craig was there to meet me as arranged. Paid up for everything, within 10 minutes was at the Flamingo signing in. I had a little problem at the desk. Since RCI does not notify the resort until the week before check in, I could not get a room number from the Flamingo when I e-mailed them. I had an e-mail from a Res. agent at Flamingo dated not 2 weeks earlier (who was on Vac when I e-mailed her on Oct.17th) that stated I would be booked in building 7. But I would not get the room number until the week before.. So here I am with 2 bad knees and 1 sore shoulder trying to weasel my way into a 1 bedroom in the Main building as I was told I was booked into building 7. No amount of paper work or otherwise would convince them, they were booked up. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" />

So up the hill to the Villas at building 3 I went. The parking area was on 2 levels, so Lugged up the 3 flights of stairs. The view was ok. Full kitchen set-up, with dining/living room area. Bedroom was nice with a terrace that wrapped around to the living room area. Bathroom was spacious. AC worked great. Unpacked and went to the Royal Palm to get my cell from Sharon. Her agent (Doris) showed me how to work the phone and to check to see how much time I have left after use. Then I went to Rams in Cay Hill to get supplies for the next few days. I read on a post just the other day that they recently closed. Now I know why they had barely anything in the store. I could only get diet coke for my Rum Drinks!! Oh well, that meant I could drink more and not worry about the calories . <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/busted.gif" alt="" />
I arrived back at the Flamingo to enjoy a nice sunset while having my first of many rum and cokes from my terrace. Went to Dinner at Lee's, nice welcome from Mrs. Lee, felt like long lost friends. Then back to the Flamingo for an early nights rest.

[color:"blue"][b]10/23-Sun.[/b][/color] Since my guests were on the Cont. fl arriving at 2:20pm, I spent the morning scoping out what to do for the week. I also went to Grand Marche(sp) to get the supplies needed for snacks. The flight arrived on time, they had only carry-on, and we were back at the Flamingo to enjoy a welcome drink to the island. I had picked up a bottle of orange-gingerbre rhum from Ma Doudou and a bottle of vanilla rhum. Both bottle's were hand painted, just as lovely to look as to drink. They make great gifts. After a few drinks and snacks we decided to take the sunset cruise on the Lambada, booked by the Flamingo, $10.00 per person with free drinks. The men helped rig up the sails and we enjoyed it greatly. After a few rum punch rounds I was even able to get up and attempt to [color:"black"]dance a little. The sunset was rainbow of colors. All aboard became silent as the sun touched the horizon. We then turned around and headed back to the dock. There were 2 boats out that night, and the race was on. Our crew taunted the crew on the Tango by dancing on the top deck. We had a few flashers, full moon rising over the side of the boat, which I think broke the timing while the Tango raised the mast. We arrived back a few moments before them. Went to Jimbo's for dinner, Mex-Tex menu, enjoyed shrimp chimachanga(sp),chicken w/mango or some kind of fruit puree. We all enjoyed it. We then stopped at the Buckneer Baech Bar for a night cap. We tried the special of the night. Thank goodness I was not driving that night, because I cannot recall what the drink was, but it was good.

[color:"blue"]10/24-Mon.[/color] We ate in and headed out to Baie Rouge. We packed up the coolers and headed out by 9am. This was the first time there for me, and my friends and I enjoyed it. Thanks so much to all that raved about this beach. The winds picked up in the afternoon. We hunkered down under our umbrellas for awhile then decided to quick pack everything and wait it out at Chez Raymound. We had a plate of chicken and ribs and a few Carib's. The price was reasonable and then the sun came out. We enjoyed the rest of the day and packed up to head back to Simpson Bay around 4pm. I should have taken the warnings posted more seriously. After the airport it took us 40 mins just to get near the Burger King to make the turn up Billy Foy Rd. Any day after that I took the road towards Mary's Boon and snaked around behind Airport rd to the bridge. No problem. After a quick nap, two very sunburned friends decided to eat in and the two who put on sunblock headed out on foot. We stopped at BBB for a cool Carib, it poured for about 5 mins, then we headed to Lee's. Live music and great food. Back at Flamingo before midnite.

[b][color:"blue"][b]10/25[/b-][color:"blue"]Tues.[/color] Another morning eating in. We headed out trying to get to Happy Bay, but the sunburned friend were nervous about staying in the sun too long the second day. We went back to Baie Rouge for a few hours. They made sure to put on #40 this time. Surf was rough that day and it started raining hard in the earlier afternoon. We headed back early but[/color][/color] stopped at Sunset Beach Bar to watch the planes come in and have a few more cool ones. If you are not into planes, this is still something you should not miss. It was so much fun watching the planes. We went back to the room to freshen up and again the two sunburned friends decided to call it an early night. They were on Island time. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> The orange-ginger Rhum had been consumed. The two of us decided to go to Bananas, but first had to stop at BBB, do you see a pattern developing here. I had stayed at Mary's Boon on my first trip, planned to have lunch one day just so I could catch up with Celine. As we were ordering our food who gets in line behind us. Yes it was she. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> We made introductions and enjoyed sitting 2 tables away. It was so crowded, but the food was great. We shared scallops wrapped in bacon and stuffed Mahi-Mahi with shrimp. It turns out that the crowd was from NY. Many laughs and a few drinks later we were all asked to tone it down by the owner. We were not insulted at all, you know us New Yorkers. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Devil.gif" alt="" /> We met a great group of people. I promised Ce Ce that I would be in touch and not miss the Red Piano on Thurdays night. This nite in bed by 1am.

[color:"blue"][b]10/26[/color][color:"blue"]-Wed.[/color]Went to Zee Best, has Banana french toast to dye for. We also had a few pastries and Bloody Mary's. Today it was my turn to be under the weather. My shouder was doing its own dance, so the only thing to do was take a pill and sleep. The rest of the crew drove to Marigot and checked things out and purchased gifts to take home. We went to the Airport Inn to eat at Tasty's, which was great. I had sword fish, others had snapper and they served use a local bread that made me think of the taste of Zepole's that I have in NY. The staff was attentive and so sweet. We stayed for hours talking with them. This is on the road going toward Mary's Boon. It looks like they recently remodeled it. I can't recall being attracted to it when I was staying at Mary's Boon. But now that I found it I will be back again.

[color:"blue"][b]10/27-Thurs.[/color]-Eating in again. Packed the coolers with fruit,crackers, cheese, water and Carib's. This trip we were going to try Happy Bay. We got a late start and arrived at Frairs Bay around noon. It was so hot, no wind as we started our hike. Well don't you know it, the sunburned blond took a spill and landed on the beach chair she was carting. Foot swelled up and the eyes swelled with tears. No Happy Bay for us that day. Back to the Flamingo to ice the foot, finished the bottle of Vanilla Rhum. I made an Emergency trip to the nearest Liquor Store to pick up Bacardi and more coke and searched for the fixes for a meal. We had alot of laughs that nite. The honey stayed in that night with her Knight in shining armour(carried her to the car that day). Thank goodness it was only a sprain. The two surviors headed down the hill to the Red Piano and had a ball. Great singers, Claude sang some Rat Pack songs, a man who did Roy Oberson(sp)songs that gave me chills. We met up with our sweet friend from Mary's Boon, CC, the NY crowd (43 of them). I did my warped Tina Turner (too much Rum.) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> Closed the nite of singing with the NY version of Proud Mary with the New York dancers and back up singers. Stayed at the bar talking with some fun people, I think we closed the place <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" />
[color:"blue"]10/28-Fri.-[/color] Ok, we did close the bar, as I work up after 9am with a smile. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/busted.gif" alt="" /> Since we now had a late start we went to Zee Best to recharge our batteries with their great food. This being our last full day we decided to go back to a beach that made us all very happy , Baie Rouge. We did not make a wrong choose. It was the best day we had, even battered knees, spraided ankle, sore shoulder and sunburned we all enyoyed it. The last nite of dinner we treated ourselves to Peg Legs, what a treat to the taste buds. We stopped at BBB for our last round and again met up with some of the NY people. What a way to end the nite.

[color:"blue"][b]10/29-Sat[/color] All packed and ready to go by 10am. Dropped off the cell at the Royal, had another Zee's Best morning, then dropped the car at Unity. Our flight was to leave at 240pm, I guess that was Island time. We did not leave till after 400pm. I was wishing they would announce they had overbooked, I would not have minded staying another nite. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Devil.gif" alt="" /> Arrived home to the cold nite in NY. My cat Sunny kept me warm that nite.

I want to let you all know that I now have 3 more newbee's who love this Island after the first trip. We are already planning another trip in March with the 3 of us birthday girls.

Thanks for all of your advice and for sharing it here for those of us who do not have a clue on where to start when first coming to the Island. You have made our trip so much easier to plan.

Eileen


PS:I found out last week after seeing the doctor that I have some damage in my right shoulder (rotator cuff(sp) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" /> Its not torn or ripped, 6 weeks of PT to look forward too.


I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I DID TO CHANGE THE BOLD AND COLORS TO LOOK LIKE THIS. SORRY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE STAYED UP THIS LATE <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/typing.gif" alt="" />. PT IN THE MORNING. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> THEN WORK ALL DAY TO PAY FOR THAT NEXT TRIP. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />


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