Where do I begin.

We flew from Boston to Newark on Wed evening, 11/26. Moved us to an earlier flight and there were no problems, the evening before Thanksgiving. Continental had agreed to give us a room, when we arrived. They gave us a room at Grand Plaza and told us to go downstairs and get the shuttle. Well, no such hotel and no shuttle. Long story short, we booked a room at the Marriott. We met many people who were marching in the NY parade on Thursday. Had a great night with all of them in the bar, our vacation had started. The hotel was very nice!

First time we flew out of Newark and heard horror stories. We had a 7:45 flight and off we went. We picked up our car with Alain, at Triple A. Took a Nissan Extreme. Small SUV, but hubby is a big guy and does not ask for much. So, off we went. Yes, we took the extra insurance, our agent at home advised us to do it. Now the beginning of a 2 week stay (we have never stayed that long)!

First stop at LeBounty to have them make us a sandwich. Doesn't get any better than that! Off to Alamanda. Thank you to Sandy Molloy for our spectacular accommodations. It was great to be back since May, and all the staff treated us like we were their family. Unpacked and at the pool. Life is good!

Thanksgiving night, never have been away at that time, and what a perfect start. Had dinner reservations at Bikini for our Turkey away from home. They had a choice of light or dark turkey meat or a piece of ham. It came with a salad, mashed potatoes, sweat potatoes, cranberry sauce and choice of pie. Live music and just paradise. We never wanted to get up from our table. Next to us was a large group and yes, they were from TTOL. Everyone was so friendly.

First day at the beach on Friday morning. Breakfast is not included but we ate at Alamanda many mornings. We also ate breakfasts at the Esmeralda, Bikini, Baywatch, Safari Grill, Holland House and Mr. Busby's. Each breakfast was more wonderful than the one before.

We took rides to Marigot and Phillipsburg, but always rushed back to the beach! It was just magnificent weather the first 11 days, we just sat under the blue umbrellas! We had many lunches at the beach bars in Orient. We did have a little rain that made us leave the beach a couple of times, and lots of sun. Read many books and met great people from all over the US!

Our dinners consisted of going to Spicey's. First time and will not be the last. Met Sophie & Oliver and they were a delight. I will say when we ate any place, we did tip, French side, Dutch side, Beach Bars. That is just us, excellent service everywhere and we appreciated it always! Also ate at Calmos Cafe and listened to their live music on Sunday night. For the first time we tried the TaiChi in Orient Village. Lots of good food and company.

On Tuesday we did something we have never done. We drove over to pick up a phone from Sharon. We usually rent it before we drive over to Orient, but this time we did not think. Anyway, hubby decided to take the scenic route and go thru Mullet Bay. Yes, we hit the bridge opening. No problem, put the window down, turn off the car and talked to anyone in the street! Picked up the phone from Doris. Always a pleasure. Then decided to eat in Marigot. Wrong again. There was a protest in the street, because they let out a prisoner on the Dutch side and the family was devastated on the French side, so they decided to block the roads. After being in the car for 3, yes 3 hrs, we opted to go to Grand Case and picked LePressoir. Over the top meal. We also tried for the first time LaTatu in the CuldeSac, and were very pleasantly pleased. Met a nice couple from NY and enjoyed our dinner with them. We went to Dinghy Dock with friends and had never been over there. Great time. We toured Capt Olivers and met Philippe. What a gem. We went back one night and had drinks at the Iguana Bar. Beautiful view and met a very nice couple from Quebec City.

Our dinners continued and we ate at Safari Grill in Orient Village. They had live music also in the square. We had drinks at the Sunset Beach Bar and met a couple from Iowa. Had a nice chat and yes. they are TTOL members. We ate at Spigas and had a great evening. Enjoyed talking to another TTOL Couple from NC. Told us of their horrendous flight down. Heard from several people how long it took to get to the island. Back to eating. Never have been to Oyster Pond and fell in love with Big Fish. Actually went back 2X which we never have done, but with all the time we had, it was not a problem at all! We tried Daniels by the Sea and had a great dinner and time, meeting people from our home state. Another fine dinner was at L'Auberge Gourmande and also at Il Nettuno. We just love dining in Grand Case.

We went to the TTOL party that Kathy put together at Bikini. It is so much fun meeting all the people we read about all yr long! Great appetizers were put out and it was just a great time!

We had many lunches at the beach bars in Orient. I don't think we have ever eaten so much as we did this time! 14 breakfasts out, 14 lunches (some small, some larger) out, and 14 wonderful dinners out! Yikes!!!

Our only problem was coming home. Nothing happened at SXM, it was when we landed in Newark. After clearing customs, the dreaded word, your flight has been canceled to Boston. Panic set in. They sent us to a transfer line with many others. Tears in my eyes, we just want to go home after being away for 15 nights! Great agent from Continental put us on a later flight and we ended up in Boston, just about 1 hr after our due date. Horrendous weather and bumpy flight, but we landed safely and can now dream about going back.

It truly was a perfect 2 wk stay. We have never seen so much traffic and it was not even high season. We never went to Oyster Pond area before and fell in love with it. We toured the Westin, which was a magnificent property, but again, our love is at the Alamanda.

We ended many evenings with Curtis at the little bar on the property. What a pure gem ending our day with him. He asked after many TTOL people and the one special person he asked after was Louise (I think Fabila). We cannot wait to go back, but after being there in May and Dec, I have to work and accumulate more vacation time!!!!

So everyone that is looking at their countdown clock, have a great time!