Good flight on AA with exit rows for legroom sans meals. Traffic to Orient Beach via Marigot was not bad considering the ongoing Dutch-side carnival. The gravel road to the Club Orient was in fine shape, but the first section from the highway was the worst ever with chuckholes to swallow up a minimoke. To avoid, take the route through the Village behind Kontiki that is open until 7 p.m. Island very dry, but our weather was perfect no daytime showers.

Orient Bay… Beach wide, the water the clearest we have ever experienced in some 50 trips with many angelfish near the shore. Lots of day visitors owing to the 3-day holiday. Village d’Orient was busting with activity along with a Friday night craft fair. Beach nudity beyond Club Orient seemed, as it has always been with morning participants and a few others during mid-day. No signs or police presence to the contrary. TTOL flags were prominent; we were delighted to meet Contessa and other enthusiasts.

Club Orient… Nice stay with excellent service that included good dining at the Papagayo. There was no indication that the 2-day employee work stoppage that preceded our visit was affecting resort operations in anyway. We were impressed by the 3-bedroom villa that is now available for rental an includes a private pool, satellite TV and hi-speed internet connections. Completion of internet and phone connections at other units is still in progress but should be completed within the next couple of months. Renovation of the Papagayo dinning area and kitchen are scheduled for this September when the resort is closed.

Other hotels and villas updates… New summer promotions at Green Cay Village and Palm Court <contact for details>, plus others under consideration beyond those already announced at Orient Bay properties. All of our hotels re-inspected along with several new villas; all in good condition with ongoing renovations or plans for upgrading features this fall. La Plantation now has hi-speed internet for guests; Wi-Fi available at L’Hoste and most other hotels. For those needing 4 to 6 bedroom accommodations, Villa Fantastico, formerly known as La Rose de Vent, should be considered.

Restaurants… Particularly enjoyed dinner at La Plantation, Coco Beach and Sol-e-Luna, and noted above, the Papagayo {for dinner, only guests staying at Club Orient}. None of those were accepting the dollar at par with the euro. Gasoline tip… Cadisco is the least expensive on island and accepts one dollar per euro. Station located between Orient Beach and Grand-Case, also at Sandy Ground.

For the bird watchers… I was surprised by the abundance of a dove that was formally not seen or at least unrecognized. It is possible that this is the Eurasian Collared-Dove that is rapidly expanding its range into the Lesser Antilles. If anyone can confirm, let me know.

-- Jim