This was our 15th trip – 10 of them over the Regatta and the rest in November. Every year we talk about perhaps trying another island, but keep on coming back. So here’s a summary of what we did – I make no promises as to length. I’ll do a separate report on the dining scene. Our days were remarkably boring just the way we like it.

TRAVEL: Used Frequent Flyer tickets on Delta out of Hartford. We live in RI but continue to find the availability of FF tickets to be greater out of BDL than either Boston or Providence. We overnight in Windsor Locks at the Fairfield Inn at the airport the night before as it is a 6 AM flight. Trip down was smooth as silk, with all flights on time. Coming back was a totally different story but that was all weather related. There were hideous thunderstorms and tornados in the ATL area. We missed all our connections, sat forever on the tarmac waiting for a gate to open, and then waited over 1 hour for our luggage. Overnighted in ATL at a Hampton Inn that was just fine for the 4 hours we were there. We did get the 1st flight out the next morning. Delta counter in SXM opens at 1000 now.

FLAMINGO BEACH RESORT: We own 2 weeks in a 2 bedroom villa and are still happy with our decision to buy. For those of you who care, the resort looked pretty good to me. The sale to Diamond Resorts resulted in higher maintenance fees but it will be worth it if they spruce the pace up and keep it up. We did see lots of activity and painting and cleaning up all around the property. If anyone wants more info re: what Jules reported at the owners meeting or anything else about the resort, just PM me.

WEATHER: Another weird year for weather. Lost of wind and rainy periods with high seas the first week. Second week was much improved.

REGATTA WEEKEND: Continued to be lots of fun even though the traffic is basically horrific thru Simpson Bay. We went out on the Tango on Saturday (thanks Andrea for setting that all up!) for the first time and absolutely loved it. We had gone out on the Random Wind in past years, but on the Tango we got up close and personal with the racing yachts – got some great pictures. Seas were a bit high which limited my drinking – pretty hard to keep track of a drink when you had trouble lurching from one spot to another. We would do this again in a heartbeat. Of interest to some, I always thought the Tango and Lambada were identical cats, but that’s not the case. The Tango somehow had more seating and is more comfortable. Went to the party on Kim Sha with some friends.

BEACHES: Tried to go to Orient Beach the first week but failed 3 times due to the winds and waves. I really missed the time we spent on that beach but a free dermabrasion from the sands of Orient is not my idea of a good time. I heard the winds died down the second week but by then we defaulted to our lazy mode and couldn’t be bothered driving over there. Mullet became our beach of choice for this trip. Rented chairs from Deleo (newer and better umbrellas than Rosie’s), waves were not a problem and the sand bank getting down to the water was just not an issue this year. Flamingo Beach Resort also has 2 beaches – a main beach shared with the Pelican and a smaller beach area by the pool. The pool at the resort is really pretty and for the most part quiet.

TRAFFIC: This is the first year I will actually say the traffic stopped me from doing stuff I wanted to do, when I wanted to do it. The week before the regatta the bridge opened and closed at will so you never knew when you were going to get stuck. One day it took us 50 minutes to get from where Lynette’s used to be at the end of the runway to the Flamingo Beach.

TTOL PARTIES: Both parties at La Vista and SSBB were excellent. A little easier to find and talk to folks at La Vista. I got eaten alive by the mosquitoes at SSBB after dusk, so we didn’t stay as long as I would have liked. Sheila did a great job with the nametags and ½ priced drinks at SSBB.

SHOPPING: Groceries at the Grand Marche (both locations). Had just about everything I wanted except for ½ & ½ for my coffee (and I never did find it the entire trip). Peli Deli at the Pelican/Flamingo resorts filled in all the gaps. They have just about everything you need (if you don’t cook like I don’t cook). Did the obligatory trip to Phillipsburg. Didn’t buy much – a little bauble from Jeff at DK Gems – Deepti wasn’t there – and that was it. Stopped at Rima’s cuz I like their cheap T-shirts for exercise, but they did not have 1 T-shirt in the place. Stocked up on some drugs at the Maho and Simpson Bay pharmacy – OTC stuff, not prescription.

GAMBLING: Don and I play blackjack and on the average do OK but rarely great. This trip we went to the Atlantis, where I have always enjoyed gambling, but alas, it was not the case this year. They only had $10 tables, I didn’t like where they were located, and the place was so full of smoke my eyes watered. Stayed 30 minutes and left. Did the rest of our gambling at the Hollywood Casino which is a place I usually do not enjoy. To say we did well is an understatement. Most nights we broke even – if Don wins I lose and vice versa. This one night the house could not break the table. They threw 8 dealers at us and still practically everyone was winning – and we were all betting pretty healthy amounts. I enjoyed myself immensely and walked away with a considerable increase in my cash flow. Another night I was wandering (I was losing and left the table while Don still played) and I saw a gal win $880 on a slot machine.

MISC STUFF:
1. The Marina building at the Pelican is huge but more attractive than I was expecting. When it is finished you will be able to walk along the waterfront down to BBB.
2. Used Unity again – about the 5th time – think we pay a bit more than some of the other local car rental places but I have no worries with Unity so I keep going back. Got a used green Corolla with lumps and bumps and scratches. Worked great!
3. Cell phone from Sharon Harris. I just don’t get why some people haven’t figured out she is the best and easiest deal in town. Met Sharon for the second time and she is warm and friendly.
4. Used the Internet café at the Royal Palm. Mailboxes is less expensive and more comfortable, but this was one of those decisions I made so I didn’t have to deal with either the parking or the traffic over the bridge. Staying at the Flamingo allows us access to parking at the RP as they are sister units.
5. You have to pay for any airport parking in the terminal, not in the lot even if you don’t have to pay cuz you were there for less than 30 minutes. At the very end of the terminal there is 1 machine that is finicky, only accepts certain coins and bills, and usually has a line. I can’t tell you how many people were wandering around the parking lot on Saturday looking for where to pay.
6. Seeing friends year after year is really special – I was so glad to see Gretchen again (even if we didn’t have much time to chat!) and running into Shelby and Deb at Pizza Galley was fabulous! And Buzz and Mary Lou looked as happy as ever.

All in all a great trip. We may try for a little longer next year!