Flights Philadelphia AA nonstop to SXM going down no problems, returning sat on SXM airport runway for 45 minutes to obtain take-off clearance from air traffic controller. Took –off over the ocean on flight. Then we were in holding pattern in Philadelphia and landed and hour late. Sometimes I used to fly Harrisburg to Philadelphia to connect to the direct flight out of Philadelphia to SXM. But I had too many problems with connecting flights. So I drive to Philadelphia for the direct flight.


Stayed at La Plantation made my reservations thru Jim Rous. Rented a Jeep form Patrick at Affordable Car Rentals.

Do not know how I did it but lost my room keys in Maho late Sunday night. I knew that the hotel had a phone outside the office at La Plantation. Wrong, someone stole the phone outside the office and the office was closed. Now what do I do!!! Went to the security office at entrance to Orient Bay, the security officer tried to call security at La plantation but no one answered the first and second time they called. Finally got a hold of La Plantation security and the security agent at the entrance to Orient Bay drove up with me and found the La plantation security agent to let me in the room. The La Plantation security remembered from the last vacation when my car broke down in Philipsburg late one night at 1:00 AM. (Another story) Now in my room I am thinking how much will La Plantation charge me for my room key, safe key ( which I did not use the safe) and the key to the balcony door? The next day I went to the front office and since I am a repeat costumer I was charged 75 Euros for the keys, which I could live with.

Traffic in Simpson Bay was terrible!

The weather was GREAT, I always go to Coco Beach at Orient. I thought that Orient was the most crowded that I have seen in February. I probably have been at Orient at the same time every year for the last 7 years. Coco had much sand in front of the bar, but as you walk to Club O the beach narrowed. The weather was great, I packed an umbrella for the first time and it only rained the last day of the vacation.

Note to self – rent a phone and have the security guard cell phone number at La Plantation if needed since now I am on first name bases with La Planation security officer because of my last two trips.

My vacations are restful; I eat at the same Restaurants’ in Orient Village, I always eat at Marks Place, and Chesterfield’s . Lunch somewhere on Orient, La Plantation has free breakfast for its guests.
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