[color:"red"] [/color]
Okay, here goes……………….

THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN MORGAN & STRAWBERRY SAUCE…. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pirate.gif" alt="" />



Saturday June 19th…9:30 PM…SXM…last woke up at 5:30 AM Friday …..awake for 40 hours …somebody shoot me now !

Started off watching the sunset in Washington state, and saw it rising in Washington D.C., the flight from hell was in between. The plane was 100% full and we had no more than an inch to try to wiggle around in our seats. Never seen anything quite like it. Andy was getting cramps in his legs and his neck & back were killing him. Of course the aisle guy slept soundly the whole flight…….

D.C. to SJU was like flying first class compared to what we had just been through. I could actually CROSS my legs!! Joy of Joys ! Still we could only doze off for a few moments at a time. This plane also was 100% full.

SJU – We didn’t find this a very traveler friendly airport, quite confusing, but I think that is the fault of United/US Airways/Caribbean Sun. Check in on US Airways, but you’ll really be on a united flight…….
They had SIX flights leaving from the same gate??? The poor gals at the check in desk…I would NOT want that job! We felt very bad for several people who had misunderstood, waited in the wrong lines, and were then told to go back to get tickets issued. At Dulles, we also saw many people miss their plane – at least 5 – that had been held up in the long security lines. One poor woman reduced to tears had missed the flight to make it to her friends wedding, bridesmaid dress in tow…………

We both looked outside to see this rustbuckety old plane on the runway, and said we hoped we didn’t get put on that thing! An hour later we were ushered on to exactly that.
Very nice stewardess on this flight, and really for such a scary looking plane, a very nice ride!

PJA- Okay, so we are seriously tired at this point! Waited for our one checked bag to arrive. Andy insisted on checking a bag- he bet me $5 it would arrive. I am now $5 richer.
The friendliest person in the whole airport, the lost baggage lady, JESSICA!!! I stayed with her filling out forms, while Andy went out to meet the phone, car, and villa people. Lesley Bruce from Kenny’s car rental was there, as was our villa representative, who we never did get his name, but a very nice guy, but no phone person. We had to take much longer than we thought to get the whole bag thing straightened out, so they all had been waiting and it was REALLY hot that day, like in the 90’s I think .so we followed Nice villa guy to the villa and it was lovely. We were way to tire to question the green pool at this point. As soon as he left we rushed over to the Royal Palm to get a hold of Sharon, or Michael. The front desk called Michael, and I tried to explain the situation, he was very rude and kept saying to me that “you were supposed to be there at 3:00”, I apologized again, and he finally agreed to meet us t the Royal Palm to give us the phone. When he got there – we only waited about 15 minutes- I again tried to apologize and he would have none of it. He was just not happy with us, and we could not change it. I was about in tears at this point, Andy was not happy wither, and then he told us there was a problem with the phone, that Sharon had given out the number she gave me over e-mail to someone else, I said I didn’t care, no problem, and apologized again for the lateness- which was in no way our fault- and then he started telling us how he is a taxi driver and he cant wait around all day. That was it for me. I signed what I needed to sign, and the deal was done. Then he certainly found time to stand around and wait for a tip! Like THAT was gonna happen. Andy just shook his hand and we left. I will not tip someone who is going to treat me like that – no way!
The cell phone however worked great the whole time, thanks Sharon !!
Went to SSBB and had a burger - as good as they all say it is !
A quick trip to the grocery store for supplies and then back to the villa……..we were SO tired, and secretly we had both been thinking “what kinda place is this??” ( keep in mind , we have never been out of the good ol’ USA )

After 11 hours of sleep we were up and calling the airport about our bag…call back when Jessica gets here ……FINE! So, off to Orient Beach…. I thought maybe if I could talk to someone I “knew” from TTOL, I would feel much better about things.
Well, I knew Baywatch was BLUE, so turned to the right and went walking, spied some blue a ways down, and found Pirates. The nicest gal ever, Selina, got us a drink, and we told her our tale of woe…green pool…lost bag….grouchy phone guy….. she told us to go sit on the chairs for free till we could call on our bag. I swear I almost started crying right in front of her ! We took our first dip in the Caribbean and things started to look up!

STUPID TOURIST TIME: So I go back up to the bar to get another drink, and I ask the bartender guy, hey have you ever heard of a place called BAYWATCH?? He looks at me with the “STUPID TOURIST LOOK” on his face, and points over his shoulder “ yeah, its right there”.
Alrighty then…………
Finally our bag had arrived, off we went to PJA and got the bag – THANKS JESSICA!! Stopped and got some Mosquito milk – it really works!

SIDE NOTE: driving back to the villa we saw something low, kinda flat & very long & fast cross the road…a ferret?… mongoose? …very hot mink???
Then back at the villa ( I had to travel half way around the world for this to happen, but it did ) while I am “reading” in the bathroom, there it sits, staring at me , legs poised ready to strike……..a spider that when all curled up in striking position was, I dunno ,about the size of a fifty cent piece, was staring me down from the laundry basket approximately 12 inches away. Judging by the thickness of its legs I knew there would be no out maneuvering a jumping arachnid, so I simply called (HAHA) Andy in to take care of the situation for me. Did I mention that it had actual see-able to the naked eye fangs?? FANGS???
Moving on……………

DAY 3 – Ahhhhhh Cupecoy……………I will choose to remember all the lovely things about this beach and not the incredibly GOOD actor of a timeshare salesman who totally conned us into going to a stupid timeshare presentation because OH YES we had won 500$$$ I digress…………….

Cupecoy…….charming beach……quiet……..scenic….cliffy ( we were in the middle ) and there were clothed , topless, and nude so it was like dealers choice- do whatever you want! Met a very nice lady selling bracelets named Jacqueline, who CUSTOM made me a bracelet because I have fat ankles!! She assured me that I do NOT have fat ankles but am wonderfully made. That sounds much nicer than having fat ankles. We talked a lot, she has 4 kids too, her husband works in Anguilla……great experience. Bought some pareos from another lady there and those towel bag thingys with the handles. They were actually quite convenient and we used them almost every day !
Right before dusk, lots of people started getting up to leave…we took there cue as Andy was concerned about a particular guy standing a bit to close to our chairs, eyeing our bag. Decided to trust our guts & left. I really enjoyed this beach.
Went to dinner at Lee’s, Andy had red snapper- he said it was fantastic, I wanted the “fish on a bun” till I learned that it was Mahi mahi. I know that technically its not dolphin, but its too late fro my brain …I cant do it! Had the shrimp- it was good.

Day4 – Had to wait for a washer repair man at the villa today…GRRRRR….Lounged by the pool then went to Phillipsburg to find Deepti at DK Gems !
FOUND HER !! Great girl – TOO YOUNG TO GET MARRIED- and we bought a diamond bracelet from her…its really pretty !
Off to Johnny B’s under the tree…really, what a set- up ! The man can cook like WOW and I mean we saw him there all the time ! Nice ladies serving up the food , just a great experience! I told him what a celebrity he was at TTOL he just laughed.Ribs were of course fantastic, tried the Johnny cakes and while they were good, I prefer hushpuppies, though you cant really compare the two .
Went to Rams & got some RUM JUMBIE…I was so excited to try this, but I didn’t like it ….we left it at the villa in an empty Captain Morgan’s bottle for Janelle if she wanted it. We wanted the bottle !

Day 5 – Marigot market…..lots of souvenir stuff….reminded me a lot of Pike Place market in Seattle…had pastries at La Lucierie (sp??)…yummy rum cakes at 10am??
Off to Orient to Baywatch ( well know we knew where it was ) but very surprised to find out they close at 4:00! We were only there about 3 hours – not enough! Met Adrian…he says all you TTOL’ers really keep him hopping with your YO’ ADRIAN’s ! Had a great time there then walked down to the top five place, turned around & came back. Somewhere on my walk I lost my “wonderfully made, custom made, fat ankle bracelet”. I was very sad………We then discovered the Captain……….

Day 6 PINEL ISLAND!!! Okay I knew I wanted to go to this place the minute I heard about it and man oh man We are so glad we went! Beautiful….quiet……hardly any people….pretty good snorkeling……entertaining boat ride over (cross your fingers on the way back)…..one of our BEST DAYS!
We walked straight over the hill from the boat and stayed there till 2:00. Maybe 3 or 4 people walked by, totally gave us our space and privacy…SO ROMANTIC!!
Then we went to the other side to go snorkeling, and okay first the SPIDER from hell, now we actually saw a SHARK!! Okay, it was only about 21/2- 3 feet long , but STILL!!
Very cool…I can now say I have swam with the sharkies…………….
We had been using sunscreen A LOT, but apparently when snorkeling you juts might as well put a shirt on….see posted pictures……………………

Without a doubt the most entertaining time was the ride home…..will we or wont we make it!!! The Captain announces to the whole boatload…”Were in trouble now” “ I am so F----D UP!!” We got in knowing we could certainly swim, possibly walk back, but then he crashes into the dock with the wooden boat RIGHT next to where I was sitting….wooden splinters flying off the side of the boat………..
What a great day !

Peg Leg Pub…what can I say……….Shawn………the filet……….Jack………its all TRUE!! Very nice…great food……a MUST DO in SXM!
Heard all about the wonderful TTOL party of Carol & Eric’s from Jack, and it sounded like a good time was had by all wink!
I taught Shawn and the bartenders how to make a Smith & Wesson……..they had never heard of it , one of my favorite drinks……but apparently there is not a lot of cream on the island…something about not lasting long…..whatever they put in it was good. Just a great day !

Day 7 – then Im taking a break !

SUNBURNED!!
Went to Rics for breakfast, it was okay…. Then off to phillipsburg- I needed to shop some more…this reminded me SO MUCH of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Beautiful…………

Went to Dawns beach …MR. B’s for drinks ….Mrs. B’s for RIBS!!!!!!! My favorite island ribs…hands down ! Loved em’ ………..
Went and found Baie Rouge…its beautiful, but it was too hard for me to get out of the surf with my balance problems…so we didn’t stay long………….back to villa for some pool time J


I had to write this all down in diary form or seriously there is no way I could remember …before I went to bed each night I had Andy help me remember…you’re not even getting half of it !!

I will try to get the second half done tomorrow………… <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pirate.gif" alt="" />






[Linked Image]