There’s something about St. Martin and there’s something about Club Orient.<br><br>This was our first trip to both places and we were and very favorably affected by our experience – far more than we thought. For several months prior to our departure I had been reading the comments on the TTOL forum and elsewhere for information on what to do, where to eat, places to see & shop, etc. By the time we left on April 27, I had about 40 pages of information in my briefcase and on each page I had marked at least one paragraph of something that might be fun or enjoyable to do. However, when we checked in to Club Orient, something overcame us that was far more satisfying than the items listed on those pages. I guess that some of you long time SXM’ers know the feeling that when you get to someplace special, you just don’t want to leave. That’s what happened to us.<br><br>Although we had seen all of the brochures & websites about Club Orient neither Karolee nor I were prepared for what we considered first rate accommodations and facilities there nor the experience of Club Orient itself. We were not expecting something quite as nice as what we found. We had a garden chalet (#38) which was toward the back of the property. When we checked in we considered moving to other facilities closer to the water, but after we got settled, we decided that it was perfect for us – somewhat out of the way and in a smaller group of chalets.<br><br>Our purpose for the trip was for a chance to decompress from the long winter of New York State and for us to spend some quality time together without kids, clothes, and other cares of the working world. We found it there at Club O. After unpacking and setting up, we threw on the sun block and headed for the beach. Oh, the joys of sunbathing in the buff on a Caribbean island with hundreds of other like-minded couples, and to be able to jump up from our beach chairs and run into the surf whenever we needed to cool off or get wet. The de-compression and the sun effect acted together and we were in bed asleep by 7:30 the first two nights we were there.<br><br>During our nine days there, we found that neither one of us had a strong desire to put our clothes on and venture out too often. From the early morning walks the length of Orient Beach to Happy Hour at Pappagayo’s, Club O seemed to put us in the mood to do whatever we wanted to do with no guilt or regret. When I’m visiting a city like Chicago, San Francisco or Paris, I’m on the go all the time – from sun-up to the wee hours of the morning. I have to see everything and experience everything because I might not be there again. Here at Club O, we just relaxed and did whatever our hearts, minds and bodies desired. It’s difficult to describe the feeling of being able to get out of bed in the morning, walk to the beach, jump in the ocean for a quick dip, comeback to your accommodations, eat a light breakfast and drink coffee and/or juice and all of it in the buff. <br><br>That’s not to say we didn’t venture out from time to time. We did Phillipsburg on the day of their carnival and parade and Marigot a couple of days later. In both towns we did the shops and the local tourist attractions and ate lunch at some of the recommended restaurants and explored the surrounding areas as well.. In Marigot, La Vie En Rose restaurant put me right back to my college days when I spent a half-year in Caen, France when I was a mere 19 years old. Then, it was back to Club O, off with our clothes, and back to the beach & ocean. <br><br>On one of our first nights we ate at Pappagayo’s and stayed for the dance. In between bites, we would get up and dance a rumba, a meringue, or a cha-cha to the band. Although the music sounded pretty much the same, we were able to mix up our dance routines with a variety of steps. On the way back to our table after one dance, one couple complimented us on our dancing. Well, that comment was just enough to start a delightful conversation with total strangers and we soon joined them for the rest of our meal. When we asked the usual question of “where are y’all from?”, he said a small town in upstate New York. I said “Where”. When he told me, I told him that his house was 2 miles from my house and were practically neighbors. Small world!!! A couple of nights later we all went into Grand Case for dinner at the Rainbow restaurant. Just a hint – the Rainbow restaurants is an excellent restaurant, but if you go, check out their upstairs area. Some other friends were eating their dinner in the main area and then went upstairs for dessert & coffee. What a hidden treasure. Absolutely delightful, a little bit cooler, and more romantic.<br><br>The next day, on the Tiko Tiko, one of the women there commented that she worked for a bank in Maine. Despite my desire not to talk about business for nine days, I asked her which one. When she told me, I said that her bank was the bank that bought out my bank where I worked in for four and a half years and subsequently got laid off after the acquisition. Another small world occurrence.<br><br>Speaking of the Tiko Tiko, we signed up for the Wednesday cruise and thoroughly enjoyed it – however, the next time I would definitely not drink as much as I did. For me, soda, rum punch, beer, champagne & wine just don’t mix well. Stick with one or the other and I’ll be fine. For those who have not done the Tiko Tiko, it is a thoroughly enjoyable, but unusual, adventure. We’ll definitely do it again the next time and sign up the day that we get there. After spending a day on that trip with the people, you can’t help becoming fast friends with your crewmates for the rest of your stay. I’m not sure I can adequately describe it to our friends back home. About half of us did the mud bath thing, but I was the only one who did it from head to toe. The others didn’t do their upper face and hair. Bunch of loveable wimps! Emmanuelle was a delight as the cruise director. Jean-Claude was filling in that day for her regular partner. The food for lunch was excellent, although I think if I was served a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, I would have thought that was superb also. I also thought that when I go to work in the morning, I put on one type of suit – a three piece worsted wool suit. When Emmanuelle & Jean-Claude go to work, they wear a different type of suit – a no-piece birthday suit. I began to think that something was seriously wrong with my picture. I’d love to set up a Tiko-Tiko-type cruise schedule up on Lake George, NY or Lake Champlain, NY. Somehow, I just don’t see the local folks going for that up here. Rats.<br><br>Karolee & I also had a full body massage one afternoon, which was a first time experience for me. Nathalie was our masseuse and she was very good, however, we heard excellent reports about her two colleagues. It was sooo relaxing. When I came out of my massage, Karolee was waiting for me. I said to her “hellllllllooooooo, honnnnnnneeeeeee”. Everything seemed to be in slow motion – or I was having a delightful flashback to my younger college days. It was wonderful.<br><br>Our time went fast, but even so, it didn’t seem to race by for me. We hated to leave. We had had such a good time and really got to explore our relationship in a very healthy and positive way. On our last day, we savored our last walk down the beach, the last hour sunbathing, and the last swim in the ocean, saying good-by to friends and acquaintances that made the trip so memorable and pleasant. We were envious that they had one more day or another week in paradise. Karolee was upset by the realization that in 24 hours, she was going to be putting on pantyhose. Suitcases were packed and stowed in the car, final bills paid, we reluctantly put on our travel clothes, looked around the chalet, hugged each other, got into the car and headed to the airport. <br><br>We didn’t get to Neil Rooney’s Sunset Beach Bar this trip, but as our plane was taxing out to the end of the runway, I saw the bar and it looked like it was packed with people and their cameras watching us take off. <br><br>For us, St. Martin was a frame of mind experience. We didn’t regret not doing the touristy things that others might have done. Nor were we sorry that we didn’t get to dine at some of the more recommended restaurants on the island. Maybe we’ll do some more on another trip. We were at peace with ourselves, rested and rejuvenated. For us, that’s what vacations are all about. We’ll be back soon and experience again that ‘something about St. Martin’ feeling.<br><br><br><br>
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