TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin We made it……

Nov. 5, 2021

We went to bed Thursday night at 8pm knowing only too well neither of us would catch any sleep. And we were right. Got up at 2:30am, showered and started our day. The limo driver was right in time with a 4am pick-up and off we went to JFK. The only good thing about that timing was at least there is very little other traffic on the road. We made record time going through the madness that is always JFK but I have to admit, the wheelchair service helped tremendously.

As is our custom, John had a window seat and I was on the aisle and in between us was a gentleman with his big old service dog. I was skeptical at first about flying with the dog but he was better behaved than some of the adults I’ve flown with over years. The flight was smooth and no hiccups along the way and we even managed to arrive a bit early. After doing all the airport arrival stuff we headed out and there was LESLEY, awaiting his clients off the flight. He drove us to our home away from home where we picked up our chariot for the next two weeks - just what we asked for - one of his more lovingly used Toyota’s - and are you ready for this - we finally got to be R1. Back in April we had a brand new car and I was a nervous wreck the whole time, fearing we’d earn tge first cent or ding on it.

Anyhow, not sure why JB is doing such an early flight but we arrived at BSV around 12:30 and the maid was just finishing up our room. Jeannie had already been and gone and we thought about making lunch in but decided to go out instead. Fat Tony’s for a chicken Caesar salad - not the best I’ve ever had but a long way from the worse. Hadn’t eaten dinner last night or breakfast this morning so it was about perfect to get us to dinner with friends which was also perfect.

I have communicated with many posters over the years and it’s always a pleasure to meet them face to face. Tonight we had occasion to have dinner with Sue and Jeff Butler - Sue is Mama B on TTOL and like us, a former long-time but now displaced Towers timeshare owner. We had a lovely dinner at El Zafiro before they leave for home this weekend and compared notes and shared our SXM experiences. It’s crazy to travel 15 to 1800 miles to meet someone who lives a half hour ride from you at home but we did it and so happy to have met you both in real time.

Yay! Glad you're there! I have to say, no matter how little sleep I think I will get, the night before we leave, I always eat dinner!

Anyway, time to relax and enjoy!!

Happy you made it. We weren’t as lucky. Our scheduled AA flight was cancelled this morning. We were booked to travel from BWI to Miami and then on to SXM. The first leg was cancelled with no other feasible option to get to Miami in time. Now scheduled for tomorrow. We shall see. 🤞

Enjoy your visit. Can’t wait to get there!

I am so sorry to read this. I can’t imagine what is going on with AA and so many other carriers these days but there really needs to be some accountability for these cancellations and the turmoil they create for travelers. I would have been so irritated and disappointed, not to mention angry at having all my planning been for nought. I will keep my fingers crossed for you for tomorrow. Good luck…….

oldenough--Wow, that is TERRIBLE! Did you try to get them to put you on another airline??? Best wishes tomorrow...

We tried them all. Couldn’t get there in time for a noon departure, at least not without a panic dash from terminal to terminal and baggage transfer. We also lost our business class seats. Trying to take it in stride. Now if they cancel again tomorrow???

Wow, totally sucks..

Hey, we’re retired. At least we didn’t waste a vacation day from work. 😊

Welcome home Pat!

Was great chatting with your other half last night on the plane observation deck! He is a hoot with his stories! As he mentioned, hope we find time to get together.

Enjoy.

Leona,

It feels so good to be here. Loved the big hug from Smarthe and the warm welcome from Lesley and Emmanuel among others.

We will definitely get together - drinks, dinner, whatever. Laying pretty low today after a good nights sleep but still exhausted. At our ages, you just can’t make up a lost nights sleep overnight. May see you at tge pool later.

And yes, my DH really is a dear sweet man and has so many anecdotes from over the years.

You have a very positive attitude! We fly out of Chicago next Sunday on AA thru Miami and pray we aren't cancelled. My husband has to fly in business class because of his back condition and if we lose those seats, we may not be able to fly.

Pat, hope to see you!

Glad you arrived safely. Back in the day, we had R-1 a few times. Hope the trip goes well and looking forward to your updates.

Great to hear you made it Pat, wish we overlapped but I don't think so this trip.

As for AA we have our trip coming up and are hopeful that it is not messed up too much. Portland to Dallas, Dallas to Miami where we spend the night and then off to SXM. At least we have some padding to make it to Miami if something goes wrong but hoping for the best. When you consider all the shortages of staff at the airlines associated with Covid issues it is actually surprising to me that there are not more delays. Hoping for the best.

Enjoy your trip Pat and John!

Welcome our Dear couple and do enjoy your vacation . And we will meet for a drink to chat lol. Blessings .

Hello Pat and John, we are on our way and will see you at Bsv on Tuesday

Pat, our friends Pam and Dwayne had R1 just before you. They actually left for the airport a little earlier after getting a text from Lesley asking for the car a little earlier as he needed it for "someone" arriving early. I immediately thought it would be you and John. The funny thing, they were in 14 as well. So good little R1 is very used to being parked in front of 14.

Welcome to the Island. We arrived Saturday 11/6 also @11:30 JB 1877 Boston to SXM direct. New arrival process went seamless. Quick moving line for ehas checks then immigration. Luggage was circling when we arrive at concourse cAquick Ice Cold Carib from the former Rentel car space for the ride to get Rentel car. Checked into SBR Villas @ 2pm. On the patio with an Adult libation by 2:30. Great start to a week vacation. Hopin for Pinelon Monday for our 46th Anniversary .Thanks to ALL for your Help and input on the EHSS confusion 👍

So glad we found the time to finally connect with you and John. Let's hope it's the first of many. Enjoy your stay!

Thanks Folks very nice of you helping me out.

A hearty welcome to those newly arrived. Isn’t it wonderful to be here?!

Mike, that’s so funny. So we’re ending up with Pam and Dwayne’s left-overs? Their car, their room? Believe me, it’s all good but I do hope wish we could have been exchanged greetings. Next trip, maybe?

I’ve always kidded a Lesley about wanting to be number 1 in his world and finally, it happened. He met us at the airport in a new bright and shiny Audi and all I could think of was, please Lord - I asked for lovingly used and for sure, not new and bright and shiny. And expensive!! Thankfully, he was merely transporting us while waiting for R1 to be readied.

jollymon--looking forward to hearing more about your trip! Sounds like a nice beginning!

Enjoy your stay. Looking forward to reading your trip reports.

Oldenough--Sure hope you made it to the island ok..