Well, it's over! Tough to get out of the water for the last time this year. Talked and talked about forgetting to go to the airport and just coming back to the beach one more time, but then we heard our cat Creamsicle purring in our ear we knew it was time to pack it in.

Started vacation knowing that my wife had just been diagnosed with acute appendicitis 5 days before we were to leave. The surgeon said he was going to treat it with antibiotics instead of taking it out. She spent a night in the hospital with an IV drip and then a 10 day prescription for two meds to take everyday. Surgeon said many European countries have been treating appendicitis for years with antibiotics. Said we could go to the French hospital if necessary. So, Carol thought she would see how it goes. Everyone we talked to on the island had never heard of not taking out the appendix, many of those from European countries. Then, wouldn't you know it that the hospital on the French side where we were staying caught fire. She did survive and we had a great three weeks of fun in the sun.

Made our mandatory two trips to Marigot and two trips to Philipsburg and bought the traditional piece of jewelry in Philipsburg for Carol and the traditional t-shirt at Secret Spot in Marigot for me. She keeps telling me that some year I should buy more t-shirts to make up for her jewels, but I already have over a dozen t-shirts and can't wear them all now.

We stayed at a villa above Orient once again and had a great view. Even saw the huge fire on Orient Beach one day. The water sports shop that is near the old site of the old Boo Boo Jam that burned down years ago caught fire and really put on a show for the beach crowd.

We had a few days of rain off an on, but that gave our tan a chance to settle in without the red burnie look that many have when they first get there. Made visits to the Butterfly farm and Sunset Bar and Grill to see the planes. We chose a day when there were zero cruise ships and found SSBG to be nearly empty.

Many meals were in Orient Village with a few in Grand Case and one trip to the Greenhouse in Philipsburg. While on the island I wrote a daily addition to my blog, but did not begin to publish the stories until the day we left. Carol believes our house and pet sitter won't be bothered by strangers by doing it that way. Might be true since the sitter has never reported anyone trying to break in our house during the past 15 years.

If you care to read a few of my blog postings, click on the link directly under my story. I have perhaps 25 stories and you'll have to check daily to read all of them. We have already planned our vacation for next year and will be counting the days as soon as our trip to the Jersey shore with the family and trip to Provo with friends are over.

As usual, we used some of the info from this site during our trip and found our experience was enhanced by all the knowledge and nonsense that is part of TTOL. Thanks for helping make our vacation one to remember!

I enjoyed reading your report and will get to the blog later.Did the antibiotics work for Carol and is all well now?I have never heard of that treatment for appendicitis, but it could work as they always operated for stomach ulcers and now treat that condition with antibiotics since they have proven it is caused by a bacteria in the stomach.There have been lots of medical changes over the years.

Glad things worked out for you.

She had just had her gall bladder out a few weeks before and with the two operations the surgeon feared the plane ride might be a problem because of blood clots, so he opted for the medicine. Carol had him operate on her a few years ago and really trusted him. He told us that all of the patients whom he had put on drugs had never come back to him later. He said her white blood count was good, hence his suggestion and Carol's decision. He even told her that in Europe if a person had their appendix burst, they place a drain into the area to drain the liquid and still treat it with antibiotics. I also had never heard of that. All is well now and she only has a tinkling of pain when she sits and thinks about it for a few hours. Heavens, I have pain everywhere when I sit and think about it.

Hi. Glad everything turned out OK. I edited your post to put some more returns in it, to make it easier to read. Will make time to sit down to read your blog soon..

Glad to hear that Carol is doing well and the trip was what you hoped and planned for.

I have to tell you, while I haven't read all of it, your writing is awesome. Very impressive stuff and I'm sure others are as moved and inspired by your words as I am. Thank you for sharing it here for all our enjoyment. It isn't every ordinary guy who can move people with words but you sure have captured the art.

Thanks for the report. It wouldn't be a visit to SXM for you guys without some kind of medical issue for at least one of you. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Looking forward to reading your blogs.

Pat ….. Thank you Pat for the nice remarks. In 2009 I went to the movie Julie and Julia with my wife. The movie was about a food blogger who wanted to cook all the recipes in Julia Childs cookbook and then blog about them. On the way out of the theater I told Carol I was going to write a blog. "About what?" she asked. "About my life," was my answer. Well, soon will be the beginning of my 8th year with a story almost every day. Fun experience. I taught school for 35 years, but not English. So, I may get a few extra commas where they shouldn't be or I may butcher the English language from time to time, but what the heck, I love writing about life and SXM and get many of my ideas on TTOL. Have met many TTOL members over the past years and enjoy talking with them. Would love to meet you sometime. I enjoy your posts as well and love the way you sign off!
Norm …. Sorry we missed you this year. Did celebrate your birthday with a big party by the pool at our villa above Orient. Had plenty of desserts. You would have loved them, especially the cake with the candles. Maybe next year.
Carol seems to be recovered, at least for now. I developed Plantar Fasciitis while in SXM and am now on a few days of steroids. It was very hard to walk on the beach. So …. I sat and watched everyone else walk.
Life goes on …. with plenty of time to think about our next trip which I will book in another week. And, I'm finding I have more and more stories to tell about life and traveling to our favorite islands, St. Martin being on the top of the list.

biglar--I have been reading and enjoying your daily stories. I was wondering about the villa where you stayed. I think that I know where it is. Is it on the hill just above Green Cay Villas? It was a long time ago, but I toured that villa at one time. Not sure if it's still owned by the same people or not. Don't want to put words in your mouth, but it seemed that overall you weren't that happy with it??

Thank you and perhaps someday our trips will overlap. I, too, enjoy writing just for the fun of it so I get your reasons absolutely. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />