Trip Report – Club Orient – Oct. 27th to Nov 3rd <br><br>This was our fourth visit to St. Martin and our third one-week stay. Once again we stayed at Club Orient in a mini-suite. The unit was clean, comfortable, and met our needs completely. The weather was perfect all week. The only rain we had was at night, (shades of Camelot!) with the exception of a 10-minute shower at lunchtime on Nov. 3rd. We met a lot of wonderful new friends; saw some great friends from past trips again, and thoroughly enjoyed our vacation! There were no indications of crime while we were there and in fact we saw Gendarmes each day we drove around the island. The island was clean and green. Here’s the day-by-day:<br><br>Saturday Oct. 26th we drove up to Philadelphia from our home in southern Maryland. We checked into the Sheraton 4-Points hotel just north of the airport and arranged to leave our car there all week. Then on into Philly to pick up our younger daughter at Amtrak’s 30th street station for a little “retail therapy” with Linda followed by a great meal at McCormick & Schmick’s across from city hall. We dropped her back at the train station and returned to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.<br><br>Sunday: The transition to standard time occurred Oct. 27th, but we just left our watches on EDST which is the same as SXM’s Atlantic Standard Time. We arrived at the US Airways check-in counter just as the Caribbean positions (at the far right end) opened at 6 AM EST. Documents checked and boarding passes in hand we went through security and out to gate C29 for our 8:10 AM departure. <br><br>Boarding went smoothly and the 757 was about 2/3 full for the flight down. We had good tailwinds, and we arrived 45 minutes early. A full breakfast was served on the flight. The line for immigration took about 15 minutes and then we were out! On the way through the baggage claim area I picked up a couple of those great photo road maps and a coupon book from the information booth before we took turns for the traditional post-flight rest room stop. When I reemerged Linda had the coupon book open was tearing out a 15% off coupon for Dollar rental car, which is who we were using this trip.<br><br>Out to the curb, onto the shuttle car to Dollar’s office in Simpson Bay. Yes, they honored the coupon. While waiting in the short line I helped an obvious newcomer with directions to Grand Case and the GCBC. When I went back downstairs to load our stuff into the white (surprise!) Hyundae Atos, Linda said she had been passing the time talking with a nice woman who was on the island for the first time. As we drove off we decided we were hungry just as I spotted Peg Leg Pub off the port bow of the rental car. A quick turn into the lot and a walk to the door found it to be chained and padlocked. As we left another car with three young women pulled up and also drove away after seeing the door. We never did make it back later in the week.<br><br>We made a quick stop at Burger King (I know, I KNOW!) for something to stave off the hungries, and ate in the car as we drove to Club O.<br><br>Check-in went smoothly until we went to Mini-suite 147…which had not seen the maid that day….back to the office for a quick switch to 143 and all was again right with the world. We also were nicely surprised to find a gift certificate for dinner at Papagayo awaiting us – a thoughtful gift from our Avalon friends Larry & Leah (thanks!).<br><br>We were on the beach by 3:00, beginning to relax. As darkness fell we checked for specials at Papagayo, found none that evening, so decided to eat elsewhere. Since it was Sunday we didn’t expect to find a lot open. We guessed (correctly) that restaurants affiliated with resorts would be our best bet so we drove over to Esmiralda Resort and found L’Astrolabe open for business…and empty. (Well, it WAS only 6:30 PM). We had a great meal with excellent service, with just one family of four arriving halfway through our meal. Back to the mini-suite for a much needed night’s sleep.<br><br>Monday: Got up with sunlight pouring in the window, set up our towels on a pair of beach chairs just north of the volleyball net, and had a nice American breakfast at Papagayo. We were “walking off” breakfast on the beach when who should we meet coming down from the lot near Pedros? RIGHT! The couple we had met at the rental car office! They had come down to “check out this nude beach thing before there were a lot of people around”! Well, when in Rome…. We invited them to sit near us and offered to answer any questions. Turns out they were on their honeymoon and were the first of several couples we met and made friends with that week. You can read their trip report here as well, look for posts from “felix”. Mike_STL saw the TTOL flag and stopped by to introduce himself that afternoon.<br><br>Lunch at Baywatch was great, and later that day the four of us signed up for Tiko Tiko’s first available trip of the season on Thursday. Dinner that night was at Le’Tastevin in Grand Case. Partway through the meal the couple at the next table said “didn’t we see you on the beach this afternoon?” and a great cross-table conversation ensued. New friends #2. <br><br>Tuesday: Breakfast at Papagayo, morning on beach, and lunch at Bikini Beach Bar. Great appetizer menu! (Tapas). Afternoon shopping on front street, despite two cruise ships in port. Jackie at Touch of Gold was great in helping us find the chains, necklace, bracelet, and anklet we (she) wanted. Raj at Shiva’s was highly recommended by Cheryl at Baywatch and lived up to his advanced billing, helping Linda find the perfect earrings and a pendant to match a ring she had purchased last year on St. Thomas. While walking along front street I heard a strangely familiar voice behind me say “Bill…?” Turns out to be a couple we knew from church back home who had moved to Iowa last summer! They were on island for the day while cruising on Princess! Truly a small world!<br><br>Wednesday: Breakfast in the mini-suite, morning on the beach, and lunch again at Bikini Beach (great Tapas! Especially the Thai selections!). Back to the beach for the afternoon and then we drove to the GCBC to pick up the honeymooners. Almost didn’t make it due to a weak battery on the rental car, but Club O security jump started it from their golf cart. Dinner that night was at Repaire du Pirate just behind the Police Station in Grand Case. Wonderful experience!<br><br>Thursday: Tiko Tiko! Four couples this trip, so we and the “felix”-es met couples from Massachusetts and California. The ride over was great and we explored the island, swam at a hidden cove beach, snorkeled off the main beach, and had a wonderful lunch onboard. Back to the beach for the afternoon, including the mud bath! What a great day! We arrived back at Club Orient around 5pm, just in time to get “dressed” for the Halloween party. Great costumes! I went as a “cruise ship beach gawker” – complete with loud shirt, black socks, leather loafers, and exposed film streaming from two cameras! Emily and Bob (TTOL “Emily”) were great as “alien astronauts”! Sal_Pettinga and his lady were also great as Indians, and Mike & Tracy were a perfect devil & angel (you can guess who was who).<br><br>Friday: Breakfast in the mini-suite, morning on the beach, and back to Front street where Linda parlayed a “pick up the bracelet” trip into a new watch as well! We had a quick Gyro at a little lunch place on front street and then back to the beach! Linda and one of our new friends went parasailing – nude – while we two husbands watched from the boat! Friday dinner was at Il Nettuno. When we stopped to pay proper homage at the Washington Redskins shrine in the entry way we won our way immediately into the owner’s heart…and a free drink to start the evening. Great meal!<br><br>Saturday: Breakfast in the mini-suite, beach, lunch at Baywatch, afternoon on the beach… do we HAVE to go home? Lined up at 4:00 pm for the annual “Buns shot” photo (70+, a new record!) Dinner at Papagayo (some great prime rib!), consumed in honor of Larry & Leah (and their thoughtful gift certificate!). Then dancing ‘till the band gave up.<br><br>Sunday: Pack and check out (sob!)…drive to Juliana and in line at 10:45. Counter opened at 11:00 and by 11:30 we are headed back to Club O, luggage checked, boarding passes and departure tax receipts in hand. On the beach by 12:10…lunch at Baywatch while a passing storm goes by….back on the beach to say farewells to a LOT of great friends. Left Club O at 3, back at Juliana at 3:35 (NO LINES at the US Air ways counter)! Nice air-conditioned wait for the flight and then off to Philly…with two choices for dinner entrée! Arrived on time and then SAT ON THE RAMP for 45 minutes waiting for a gate to open. Through customs with no hassle, paying $79 duty with a smile. Shuttle back to the waiting car at the Sheraton and then a 3 hour drive home (including 40 minutes getting around a wreck on I-95 in Delaware).<br><br>Bottom Line: The weather was Paradise, the food was wonderful, but the best part of the trip was meeting so many old & new friends! From TTOL we met Emily, Mike_STL, felix, Mike_n_Tracy, and Sal_Pettinga. (I think I have the screen names correct and hope I didn’t miss anyone). We also met and made new friends with folks from South Dakota, Ontario, California, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, St. Thomas U.S.V.I., Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey and a few other places (names withheld to respect privacy). We passed out cards with our e-mail address and hope to have many (or all) of you show up at Bastille Day 2003!<br><br>Thanks to everyone we met for making this the “best trip yet”!<br><br>Bill & Linda<br>[Linked Image][Linked Image][Linked Image]

Bill