Decided last minute to go to SXM for a week, as it was not getting warm enough fast enough here in the frozen north.Left on time at 7:00 a.m. on the 4th, direct flight form Toronto with Westjet. Have never flown with them before. They offer comfy leather seats, lots of leg room, satellite TV. Seats are comfy, leg room is amazing compared to Skyservice, satellite TV only works within two hours of the Canadian border. No frills - meals are boxed lunches but that leg room makes up for all that.
Arrived on time, met by the rental guys from United, who had our car ready. A new Kia (white - is there any other colour?) with A/C, automatic - suits our needs and the price is right. Drove to Flamboyant - as this is our 5th time with them, got a nice upgrade to a top floor room with view of lagoon and quiet pool.

Unpacked and headed out to Ram's Food World to stock the kitchen and fridge. We like Flamboyant as we like to get our own breakfast, take our time with it on the balcony.

Sunday took a drive around to see what's changed since we were last there in January/05. Lots of building going on - time share at Dawn Beach, condos near Mullet/Cupecoy and several new housing areas. The new airport terminal is progressing as is the new road that will go past the terminal.

Went shopping in P'burg twice - Monday and Friday - both days very quiet as few or no cruise ships in port those days.

Spent 2 days on Orient Beach at Cool Corner. 2 beds, 2 umbrellas and 2 drinks for $14.00. Kontiki next door way to pricey.

Lost some money at Casino Royale and Atlantis. Oh well.

Spent one whole day and part of another visting and filming all the beaches to make our own travelogue. Had a lot of fun, took time in the Maho area to have a drink at SSBB and watch the planes come in.

Had a bit of a scuffle at Cupecoy. We drove down to the beach. The guy there offered to rent us chair and an umbrella, we told him we just wanted to film the beach. He said O.K. we went to the top of the bluff and started filming when another fellow shouted "Hey you, no nude pictures." We asked him what he was talking about, he said there were nude people at one end of the beach and that we could not film that end of the beach. We asked why not and he said people take pictures and put them on the Internet. We had never thought of doing that - just wanted a shot of the beach. He told us we could only film the other end of the beach, where people were clothed. My better half told him that he made us feel like we had done something criminal when the first guy had said nothing when we told him our intentions. Not a pleasant experience. Now, with all proper respect to those folks who want to spend time on Cupecoy Beach in the nude, when your desire to do that interferes with my right to take a picture of a public beach, something's gone awry. Moreover, the "watch dog" on the top of the bluffs should take more care in dealing with folks who come to take pictures - after all it is a public beach, not his private domain. (I'll get off my soap box now).

Ate at Cherie's, Lee's Roadside Grill, Mr. Busby's, Talk of the Town, Cool Corner, The Jerk - even ate at the Subway sandwich place late one night for a snack. Lee's, Talk of the Town and the Jerk are the best, in that order. Didn't eat anywhere fancy. Did find Etna's ice cream at Ram's - rum and raisin and caramel - excellent!
Paid $27.00 U.S. each time we filled the tank on the Kia - compares reasonably with what it costs to fill our cars at home.

Weather was good up until Thursday night when rain, thunder and lightening hit the northwest part of the island. Friday was rainy also, up until about 4:00 p.m.

Had a great trip, all in all - our 16th.

Cheers!