Was searching for a really great deal on airfare to any number of places and found Delta RT SEA to SXM, only $458pp incl taxes, so now I knew where we were going on vacation!

Due to many extreme circumstances, we were beyond exhausted and when we finally arrived, got the car, went to the grocery store, got the phone, we went back & put everything away and slept for 17 hours (I am not kidding!!).

We rented the car from Kenny's and Lesley was waiting for us as promised. We did have some trouble with the AC in this one, and it gradually got to where it was hardly working at all. With the MS I have to have a place to cool off so it was more than just a luxury for us to have it. We called Lesley and within a few hours he met us with another one. SO nice to deal with someone so reliable!

We got the phone from Sharon who graciously rented to me last minute as I had forgotten to make arrangements. It turns out the villa had SKYPE, which meant it had internet, which meant I kept in contact with my kids via e-mail or Facebook and rarely used the phone. Very nice, but I would still always rent a phone, you never know when you are going to need it!

We loved staying in Terres Basses years ago, and were not disappointed again. This time we stayed at Villa Harmony.We did a rental direct from the owner and with taxes and it being on sale, it came to $262 per day.Sounds like a lot, but having a villa enables you to have your own pool, privacy, and the ability to cook many meals at home if you choose, so in the end we really spent less this time than we ever had.

The villa was nice, and I would recommend it to others, but there are a few things that were a bit of a surprise. You are told there is a caretaker living on site, which actually made us feel safer, but I thought the other house would be farther away - it was right on the other side of the driveway. If I were any good at estimating distance, I could have figured it out from the Google earth shot. That was ok enough to get used to, but then the caretakers young child would, as any child does, start screaming. I have 4 kids, I have been there and done that and do not wish to hear it when I am paying for privacy if at all possible. The serenity of a private villa is what we prefer and it was just a little annoying. Honestly it just never occurred to me that the caretaker may have children- I don't know why I just didn't think about it. Several times they had people over to celebrate or watch the soccer game (my best guess), and were a bit loud. On the other side of the property someone was using a jackhammer, all day, M-F. Obviously the owner cannot control what the neighbors do and when they choose to remodel, unless of course they are the owners which I think they were. We also had a construction team come to the villa and start working on the new addition (another bedroom and an outdoor shower), however when Andy went and talked to them, at 7am, they were very nice and finished measuring quickly and left. So really it was all stuff you could get used to, but just rather unexpected. The villa is older, but full of beautiful antique furniture and really just a spectacular pool and view. They have a rooftop deck that you can see almost the whole island from- very, very cool.

The island was very green and flowery which also meant lots of rain which also meant lots of bugs. Bugs inside the house in the kitchen - Andy was very nice and did the cooking so not only did I not have to see the bugs, but I was kept quite ignorant on the subject. I just kept reminding myself that I drank a daiquiri in Mexico that was served to me with the mans thumb inside the drink and I did not die, therefore if any inadvertent crawling thing happened to go across my plate/silverware/glass, etc., another dose of alcohol would make it all better.
The mosquito's dined ferociously on Andy- usually its always me, but I must have just been the appetizer. Again I'm sure the rain was the evildoer there.

As I mentioned before we did not eat out a lot, I think only three times. The weirdest thing to me was the absence of lolo's.I am sure if we went to Grand Case we would have found some, but we didn't do a lot of driving this time.We had stopped into Cupecoy Market twice for ribs, and they said they just aren't making them because things were so slow. So we asked them if they could make us some for the next day and they did. They were quite good, and you got the whole ribs, salad, rice & peas for $8- so much food we got two meals from it, and the people there were very nice!

We went to Zee Best for breakfast once, and really, mine was ok, Andy's was awful. I had the "worlds best" ham & cheese croissant which was good but just so heavy- the yummiest kind of cheese was in there brie maybe-anyway it made the inside kind of doughy which was not for me. Andy had the banana french toast; he didn't even eat half.

We tried Mark's place for all you can eat ribs, and let me tell you, we have gone to the grocery store next to it, Grand Marche ?, and I remember thinking ooh that place looks scary. It is very deceiving as when you do walk in it is a very large restaurant, great service, and kind people. The ribs were very good, and really one plateful was all I could do-Andy had more- the meat literally fell off the bone and the sauce was almost cinnamony but they had scalloped potato's that were NUMMY, and a nice green salad all for $14.95. Andy said his Presidente was the coldest beer he had on the island yet, which I am sure is an important fact some would want to know. It is sure worth putting on the list for good ribs.

The best however was Andy & Cheryl's Margarita Shrimp. Normally I would be writing Muscles ala Andy but apparently they are world famous now, and he was out. I say that because I over heard several groups of people off the cruise ship talking about this being the place for the muscles. The shrimp were fantastic and really it's almost a tie. Adrian remembered Andy - I think it had something to do with the shark story from a few years back- how there had been one spotted going after a manta ray(NOT A PERSON) in GC where we were staying, and how Adrian had wanted all the info because he actually wanted to go fishing for it! Anyway we got all the info on how he has been (three kids now!) and honestly, I think he may be the nicest person we have ever met on island.

Orient beach was beautiful as always but we did happen to go on a cruise ship day and to say they were swamped was an understatement! We had a great day, but I have to say preferred being back at the gorgeous pool! We also went to Plum Bay twice and well, it's just a wonderful quiet beach.

A few things we noticed:

Traffic - only ONE traffic jam in Simpson Bay which we really think must have been an accident as people were just turning around instead of waiting- we really couldn't see. LOVE the roundabouts!!! Really it just seemed like there weren't as many cars as last time.

People- Not very many! I kept marveling at not seeing people in restaurants- it didn't seem to matter what time of day- it felt like Cupecoy was practically deserted- and did not see one person in Cheri's - ever!It was weird.

Phillipsburg- We went not on a cruise ship day and place after place was closed up, and there was hardly anyone around! Finally found the T-shirt shop I wanted to go to which was now a sun glass hut. By the way why are three so many Sun glass huts- we saw three just in P-burg?? No diamonds for Deekerlee this time, so did not stop in to see Deepti- not even sure she is still there??

Weather- HOT. I mean the hottest it has been ever for us. And rain - much more than we expected, but not a bother - I am from Seattle you know (I think it was a record 296 days this year with temps not going over 75?? totally sucked). Scary blowing winds at night- loud enough to wake you up. Scary.

Flight- I have to give it up for Delta. I know lots of people have lots of trouble with arlines, but this trip they really were wonderful. I had some blood pressure/pain "issues" while on board, and was contemplating if this was a big H or not. I asked Andy to ask the attendants if Paramedics could meet me in Atlanta - we were about an hour away at this point. They put us in empty seats in first class, which was very kind however I was SO embarrased as the whole entire plane could view my ordeal - SHEESH!! There was a nurse on board who helped out, and they even sped the plane up by 30 minutes to help me out. When the plane stopped the pilot announced "We have a medical emergency on board" as I looked around for a rock to crawl under, and they met me at the door with a wheelchair. EKG ruled no big H, but blood pressure was way high for me, and we chalked it up to a "perfect storm" of circumstances/medication/ and exhaustion. The flight from ATL to SXM was not an issue and I was able to rest.

The flight home was a bit scary as well. Right before we left they closed St Bart's due to weather, and about two minutes later the storm hit SXM. Blinding sideways rain and little visibility, it passed as quickly as it came, but I had been watching the east coast weather and knew we may be in for a bumpy ride.
About ten minutes out of ATL we went through a thunderstorm, just like you see in the movies, and pretty much thought we were goners. Of course a plane is made to take lightening strikes but that is little comfort when you are in the plane getting thunderstruck and are at any time expecting to see the little demon monster from the Twilight Zone sitting on the wing!
It was all over very quickly - like two minutes that felt like two hours- and we just dealt with lots of turbulence after that.

Overall - Still think this is a wicked awesome place to vacation with something for everyone. Not sure if it is worth the long plane ride anymore though. Maybe next time we will have to break it up with a weekend in the French Quarter on the way!

Thanks again to all the people who have answered all my questions and those who were of great help while on Island- I really appreciated it!

All in all another great vacation! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Leighanna


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