This was our 10th year in St Martin and our 13th trip. Needless to say we had a marvelous time and I will try to write a brief report – but then I say that every year and fail.

Travel – Came and went on Delta. Just beat the thunderstorms/tornados on the way down and just missed the snow and ice on the way home. Used FF miles and had to burn miles and book in First as no FF tickets in Coach were ever released. New SXM airport is really nice and I for one do not miss the old one at all. My one comment is that when you sit in the terminal and look out the window, the window grids are right in you line of sight so you are either ducking down or craning your neck to see what’s going on the tarmac. Airport was a disaster the day we left due to all the flight cancellations. Folks for US Air were actually lining up outside the terminal it was so packed inside. Delta counter was open at 10 if you drop luggage off early as we do. They still inspect luggage at the gate as you are boarding and from what I could see, security paid no attention to the quart bags. Never took mine out. Speaking of security, not that I want to start a major discussion, but we met my Mother and Martha in ATL on the way down, I asked my Mother for a safety pin and she pulls out her toothpaste, Fixodent, lotion. No baggies and way bigger than 3 oz. but she made it thru the security at Logan without any problems.

Rental Car – First time with Unity for us and I couldn’t be happier. Will definitely use them for our future trips.

Traffic – OK, so I am directionally challenged – but I absolutely don’t get the traffic redirection. You still have to deal with the bottom of the hill which continues to back traffic up into Simpson Bay. For the most part, I thought the traffic wasn’t too bad except for the few days around the Regatta. You learn when to avoid Simpson Bay and P’burg. Roads in decent shape, drivers crazy but polite, and every motorcycle should be banned from the island. I have never seen so many lunatics on 2 wheels – we almost clipped a couple of them coming up and passing us. Marigot also presents its unique traffic woes.

Beaches – Mullet Bay and Orient are the 2 we travel to plus we stayed around the Flamingo pool for a few days when my Mother was with us – she is 80 and found it much easier to walk into the pool rather than the ocean. Mullet was very calm, Daleo has new chairs and umbrellas and Rosie’s ribs are as good as ever. Road to OB was good the first week, and then got a bit potholed after all the rain the second week. OB also eroded a bit the second week with the waves, wind and rain action. Flamingo pool was delightful; it really is a very pretty setting.

Weather – Very atypical the second week there – 3 days straight of rain/showers. We’ve had 1 day, and on a rare occasion 2 straight days of rain, but never 3 days in a row. And it wasn’t the gentle shower that ends and the sun comes back out – nope it was solid clouds with wet stuff dropping. We actually drove around the island one day thinking that it might be sunny on the other side, but no such luck. It was finally clearing up on Friday, just in time to spend our last day on OB.

Flamingo Beach Resort – We own 2 weeks in the Ocean villas and we happy to find the resort was thriving. Jules James the manager seems to be a pretty decent guy. While there are some minor maintenance issues, all were fixed with a phone call. We stayed 2 extra nights at the beginning of the trip and had 2 studios. Both had been redecorated and I was way impressed with all that had been upgraded – absolutely everything in the unit except for the vacuum toilet system. Yes, we had views of the laundry, but the price was right and they move our luggage for us on the day our timeshare week starts so we can go to the beach without any worries. Housekeeping and food services have been outsourced and I noticed an improvement in both. We ate lunch at the Palapa Restaurant on the beach a few days and while the lunches did not compare to Baywatch, they were decent. New umbrellas for the beach – larger and more substantial than the older ones. Still fries me the way some people think they have ownership of certain areas of the beach or the palapalas – but from what I understand that is pretty typical behavior. Jules addresses it in a variety of different ways but no real change that I can see.

Shopping – We spent 2 days in P’burg and Marigot. Major damage at DK Gems but I was a woman on a mission. Martha (sister in law) is no slouch when it comes to diamond buying. She upgraded her diamond and Jeff convinced her that a tennis bracelet was necessary to complete the look! Mother also bought a diamond slider. Can’t say enough about all the fine folks at DK Gems. Raj had his baby – a boy – and a real cutie, so Deepti was over the moon. Rest of the shopping was trinkets and souvenirs. Went to Rimas and was disappointed – there was more selection (I know, hard to believe) at the street vendor stalls. I was looking for 2 specific patterns so that might have been part of the problem. Parking in P’burg is a real problem with all the construction along the salt pond. When finished, there will be net gain of spaces but right now in the middle of the day it is near impossible. Pay lot is always full; they are upgrading Back Street to mimic Front Street and cars everywhere.

Gambling – Don and I play blackjack and did very well this trip. Not at the Hollywood Casino (which we only go to cuz we can walk up the hill) but both the Atlantis and Princess added significant dollars to my shopping budget.

Restaurants – We eat breakfast in the room, and then lunch or dinner out – usually not both. Had several meals of cheese, fruit and bread along with wine and beer on our rooftop terrace – life is good. Quick summary:

Baywatch – What can I say that hasn’t been said before? Excellent food and fabulous staff. Didn’t see much of Andy, but Cheryl and Adrian were their usual charming selves. Mussels, shrimp ceaser salads, hamburgers, scallops are why this is the only place we go on OB

Taloula Mangos – went twice for lunch and disappointed both times. Food was OK but the service was indifferent at best. I am surprised more people don’t just up and leave.

Buccaneer Beach Bar – 4 of us had hamburgers and fries the first night on the island and they were wonderful – never made it back but wanted to!

Pizza Pasta – really a down home kind of place. Do need reservations and food was great – ravioli, lasagna, salmon, veal piccata. Love it – went twice.

Rosie’s – on Mullet Bay – great ribs, good pina coladas

Pineapple Pete’s – Just OK this year. Never saw Pete so not sure if they slack off if he is not there. 4 dinner meals were OK, service was marginal, but we have had much better on other trips.

Toppers – lots of folks we talked to weren’t real pleased with Toppers but we were real happy with the Prime Rib special. Service was personable, drinks were good. We would return.

Mark’s Place – 2 of us were happy, 2 were not, with our dinners. I would go back, the ribs were falling off the bone.

Peg Leg Pub – I am happy to say Peg Leg’s has returned to its former glory. The filets were done perfectly, service was good, Sean the master of all. I swore I wouldn’t go back after last year, but Don convinced me to give it another try and I am glad we did.

Rics – Lunch is just good basic tex-mex. We like this place, we can sit out the back and enjoy the breeze and the lagoon view.

Lady C – met Sheila, Sue, Andrea, Karen and Deb here the night of the big fire in Cole Bay despite the massive traffic jam. Pizza, ribs and salad hit the spot. A must if you want something light and easy.

Bajatzu – my very favorite restaurant on this trip – ate there twice – once with Ted and Cheryl and then again our last night with just Don & me. The filets were so tender you could cut them with your fork, the breast of duck was deemed elegantly delicious by Cheryl (or words to that effect) and the salmon nicely prepared. Wine the first time and martini’s the second, I had gotten real tired of beer and wine by our last night. Only sour note was the crème brulee, cold and not creamy. On the other hand, Don’s chocolate cake was scrumptious.

Misc Stuff
Went on 2 sunset cruises – the Celine which takes you thru the lagoon and the Lambada which takes you out in the ocean. The Celine cruise was pretty lame as you really couldn’t see the sunset and all you really see are expensive houses. We like the Lambada as they make sure you have a good time.

Grocery stores – went to Food Center in Cole Bay which was clean and very well stocked, along with the new Grand Marche in Cole Bay which was very clean and very well stocked with a wide product line. Also the Grand Marche at the roundabout was well stocked despite reports to the contrary in previous posts. The Peli Deli at the Pelican has everything you need at the start of your trip.

L’Esplanade is continuing the remodel of their rooms – we went on one of the rainy days to book for November and they already had many reservations. Not surprised as this is such a lovely hotel.

The fire in Cole Bay was very impressive; we were coming down the hill just as it really ramped up. I can see why traffic was stopped for 5 hours – folks were just getting out of their cars to watch and totally blocking up the hill. Thank God we made it down before the major jam up.

TTOL – Party was fun and we even won a raffle prize! Met lots of TTOL’ers on the beach and at Baywatch. I love the sense of community TTOL gives you on the island.

We were sad to leave but already looking forward to our next trip.