Began our 8th trip to the island on 7/10 by staying at the Mariott Courtyard O'Hare. United/US Airways flight to Charlotte and then on to SXM. Flights all on time and arrived a tad early. Michael was waiting for us at Unity, got our car asap and then headed to see Sharon to get our phone. We stopped in Cole Bay at the store and loaded up. Made our way to Club O for our room. We had requested #17, #18, or #1 as was suggested by others. We got #1, loved it...nicely decorated and can see some of the ocean from the unit. Talked with the owner in 17 who happened to be there with his family in #17 and #18. He only rents one of his units, his personal one he does not rent out and I get why. What a beautiful unit he has. Dinner that night was wine, cheese and crackers, fell into bed!
OUr mornings consisted of the same schedule. We got up, put on our running shoes and ran the beach to Tap 5 to get pasties...yum!! Then ran back, made us not feel as guilty getting in some exercise!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Lunch was always on the beach. Sandwiches, Amstel Bright, what could be better? Oh and our day was the same...beach, beach, beach...didn't get very excited about anything..hubby needed some true R and R. Dinners and observations to follow;

7/12-Safari Grill, Jeff and I each got a pizza but you could split, they are big. Had leftovers for the room

7/13-Planet OrientB-great meal but a little on the expensive side. Lots of great options though

7/14-Stayed in with friends and had wine and cheese party

7/15-Rimas for shopping in the AM, dinner at Rancho Del Sol-great prices and good food

7/16-Spiga-this is without a doubt one of the best places I have ever been to, AWESOME food and $1-1E, even if you use your CC. We went back another night

7/17-Had to head to Simpson Bay to pick something up FEd EX so went to Lee's, hubby had ribs and I had Tuna Steak, very good and reasonable!

7/18-Last night, went back to Spiga..again..LOVED IT!!

7/19-hung on the beach until noon, said our goodbyes until next year. Flights home on United were on time!

Observations/Other:
Got groceries in Cole Bay-groceries seemed to be MUCH higher even on the Dutch side than in Jan. when we were there. A bit of an ouch!

No crime was witnessed, heard of, etc. but then again we are not late nighters, back at Club O by 9ish

The manager's breakfast/wine cheese parties at Papagayo are weak. They could step it up a little in our opinion. We did venture there some evenings for the music. Loved the Club O staff, they are all so nice. Tony, you are the best, always good to chat with you.

Traffic was not an issue at all.

Got to see Scuba Deb who so graciously offered us her noodles for the ocean as she was leaving. Great to catch up with her again. Saw some familiar faces at Club O and caught up. Good to see Larry and Jane again from San Diego, we usually end up there at the same time, by accident!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

That pretty much sums it up, heavy sigh, cannot believe another year has come and gone. We are headed to Paris the 30th of this month for a very different vacation with our kids. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

Where or where does the time go? See you next year! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

Jeff and Vicki