TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Let the trip begin.....

So here we are. Months of anticipating and planning and the much awaited trip date is here. This one is particularly exciting for us because our beautiful seventeen year old granddaughter has come along for a part of our trip and on Thursday we will be joined by our daughter and our other adult granddaughter for a long weekend. We truly are so very blessed.

But anyway, our trip so far......

We headed to bed at seven-thirty last night, like we're really going to get any sleep, right?! Surprisingly enough, we did fall off but then we kept waking up every hour to check the time and finally, at 2:30 a.m. we got up for good and turned the coffee on while we showered and dressed. Our 'driver' aka our younger daughter - arrived pretty much on the money and at 4:15 we left for the ride into JFK. All the talk about increased security, etc., etc., coupled with the AA email advising us to be there the full two hours before departure were for naught. We had already checked in on line and once our feet hit the curb, we were all set with bags checked and done, putting us at our gate with a full hour and forty-five minutes to wait. They started the boarding process on time and even with a full flight we were able to actually push back from the gate a couple of minutes early and we were on our way. It was a picture perfect flight in every way. Thank you for, AA, for a perfect flight.

This trip is a high school graduation gift for our Granddaughter since she hasn't been back to the island since she was in the fifth grade so we booked up-front seats as a bit of an added surprise for her and treat for all of us. Don't know why we bothered since once she finished her breakfast, sitting in that great big seat that stretched out almost as good as a bed, she curled herself up into a pretzel-like shape on the seat and slept almost all the way down. Oh well, we enjoyed her treat even if it meant little to her.

We were the fifth big plane in which meant we didn't get a jetway but the good news was we were close enough to the terminal so they didn't make us ride that hokey bus and our walk to immigration seemed shorter than when we come in upstairs via the jetways. There were lines but nothing traumatic and by the time we got through immigration the bags were already coming off the carousel. Grabbed our luggage and hailed the first cab we could get and we were checked into our room by twelve fifteen. We called the car rental agency and they immediately sent someone to pick us up to get our car. We typically get our car at the airport but this trip we're changing things up a bit.........by 1 pm DH was back with our chariot and most all the chores are done.

Jeannie had done her usual magic and our food was already in the kitchen of our unit at the Towers and the brewskis in the fridge along with the Etna ice cream in the freezer. And let me tell you, Jeannie never gives up on her clients. We also usually ask for just a six of Becks NA beer and as of Thursday she still hadn't been able to locate it. Not the end of the world.....but when we opened the door of the fridge, there it was along with a six of Caribe that I had intended to order but had forgotten on my list. So now she's not only great at what she does, but psychic, too? Thank you, Jeannie, for all your thoughtful and great service. You are the very BEST in my book. But then I've always thought so.......

We had a quick burger lunch at the Towers pool bar and were warmly 'welcomed home' by many of the staff before we headed back to the room to do a bunch of minor organizational things and now everyone is napping and trying to make up for the lost hours of sleep that early JFK departure causes.

I suspect this will be an early night for everyone, assuming they wake up long enough to go back to bed. Dinner? Really? You guys are kidding, right? I haven't even napped yet. TBC.....

Welcome Pat and family!
Nice that everything went so smoothly today for you.

We were a bit late arriving and then getting our car, on Tuesday, so we lost some precious hours---BUT we are here and hoping to share a lunch at Mullet.
We did go Thursday and it was mobbed with 5 ships in!!! We didn't even get lunch.

Then as you know we went to Anes Marcel. It is everything you said it would be!!!

Did you come in on AA or JB? I'm sure our paths will cross at Mullet. We're already looking forward to at least one or two perfect Mullet kind of days, complete with Rosies ribs! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Sounds like a wonderful beginning to the trip! Hope the rest is as trouble-free!!

Glad you are there without issues. Looking forward to your updates when you can do them.

Enjoy!

Sounds like a great beginning! I'll bet your granddaughter appreciated that extra space up front more than you realize! Looking forward to your daily reports, as always!!

What a lucky granddaughter!

Great posting Pat!! And I have to agree that your granddaughter IS very lucky!! Our order is in to Jeannie and so looking forward to having everything we need when we arrive! Keep us posted on your experiences!

Without the up-front seat I doubt that your grandaughter would have been able to sleep on the plane. So in a silent way she ddid thank you for the extra room.

Funny but you nailed it. This afternoon, while sitting on the beach, she told me she loved the experience of those great big up front seats and even though she curled up like a pretzel, she loved the whole deal. Kids are so funny - you never know what they're thinking, regardless of how well you know them! Or think you do...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

OK, Pat, so what else has been happening since you arrived??? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/impatient.gif" alt="" /> Inquiring minds!!!

I know you will have a wonderful trip, and I look forward to your eloquent periodic reports.

Just get rested. Cause the party starts Thursday and we don't take afternoon naps!

You may have to take that up with Sarah as she's enjoyed her afternoon naps, too. But we're still anticipating your arrival..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Now, that is a good one!!

Have fun!

She's such a brat!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />