Sorry this is so long. And still haven't figured out how to include pictures. But anyway, here goes.
Saturday June 14 – US Air from San Antonio, thru Charlotte, then to SXM. Departed at 6:55 AM, 45 minute tight connection in CLT, but we made it and landed in SXM at about 3:00, 20 minutes early. After the horrible trips we had in February and last June, we deserved one with everything running on time.

As usual, Lesley was waiting with our car and in minutes we were heading to our condo/villa in Orient Village. We had reserved Salt Paradise from Laure, a twin of Fleur de Sel where we stayed last June, and right next door. Our friends F & C were staying in Fleur de Sel this time. Laure does a fabulous job with her villas. They are immaculate and have everything imaginable for a great stay, and at a very good price. I would recommend them to anyone. She was waiting on us, with her welcome basket of fresh fruit, cokes beer, milk, and coffee for the next morning, and her special Planteurs Punch, which is great.

That evening we opted for a hot dog at Bruno’s Yellow Sub. In February on his first night opening (just before the Super Bowl), there were four options for hot dogs, with various toppings. This time there was “the hot dog”, with catsup and mustard. The frank was good, the bun was a toasted baguette, hard to eat. Disappointing. Then went to L’Table de Antoinne for wine and rum cake. Delicious. This is one of our favorite restaurants. Antoinne, his sister Mano, and Alex do a great job of serving the customers, and the food is great.

Sunday morning we shared a breakfast sandwich at Good Morning, which used to be Bread & Cake. Food was still very good. Then we headed for the beach. Since we only had a couple of hours before we had to pick up our friends at the airport, we just used the chairs that came with the villa. We set them up between Pedro’s and Club O, and noticed that quite a few people do the same .Picked up friends and made a stop at Market Garden to get a few US food items that we can’t get at Simply - mainly V8 Spicy, for Bloody Marys. Met Laure and checked in F&C, and headed back to the beach.

For dinner we hit the Lolo Rib Shack. We all got ribs except Katherine got the tuna. Ribs were very good, tuna was overcooked and a bit dry. Next time we’ll stick to ribs and chicken. Went back to Antoinne’s for drinks, and watched the Spurs open up another can of stompass on Miami and win the championship. And since we are from San Antonio, that was a great way to end the evening.

Monday morning went to Cheryl & Andy’s but she was closed. Ended up at Chez Perriot in the village. Had the American Breakfast, very good. Then back to the beach. Danny at Pedro’s had saved us the four chairs up front next to Club O – since Perch was so close we had a hot dog for lunch. Great dog. That night did the “Bolo Pizza” at Little Italie. Very good, and each couple took home half so now we have a free lunch coming. Back to the villa for a nightcap, then crash city.

Tuesday morning Chef Dan made his Caribbean Eggs with peppers, onions, cheese, and Matouk hot sauce, accompanied by hash browns, toasted baguette with Guava Preserves furnished by Laure, and of course Bloody Marys. Went to Simply for more groceries – we always seem to buy more than we really need, hopefully the maid service enjoys what we leave. Back to the beach (that IS one of the main reasons we come). Lunch was sandwiches, Dinner was in house spaghetti, a low budget day. Wednesday pretty much low keyed like the day before.

Thursday – our first cruise with Cap’n Felipe on Tiko Tiko. It was a great day except for the death of a cruise passenger off the Quality Time Cat. I posted this on a previous message. After the excitement of the tragedy, it started to rain, so most of our time on Tintamarre was spent under the umbrellas. But no worries, plenty of beverages provided by the Cap’n. We actually left about 30 minutes early, but we didn’t mind. We went back under power, and my big thrill of the trip, Cap’n Felipe let me drive all the way back to tie-up time. A bit different from my 21 ft center console. That night went back to Antoinne’s for the hangar steak – outstanding!

Friday pretty much normal – F&C stayed at the villa. Katherine and I went to the beach, and around three the rains came again. We moseyed up to the Perch and stayed there until Willie ran us off. By then the rain had stopped. Met TTOLers Jim and Larraine and Patterson, who drives the maroon taxi van. Back to the LOLOs that night.

Saturday, same old stuff. Totally boring day at the beach.
Sunday did our customary day trip to Anguilla. Our favorite place is Smokey’s in Cove Bay. Desiree and Pearl are great servers, and the burgers are excellent. Onion rings superb. Stopped at Simply to pick up a few things – the gendarmes were across the street and had two cars stopped, about 5:00 PM.

Monday did the obligatory trip to Philipsburg for gifts. Plus our friend in February had bought a ring, and two of the stones had fallen out. We took it back to Caribbean Gems and they fixed everything. Then to Sunset Beach Bar for lunch. They are now charging $3 for parking. Not a big deal for us, but the guy in front of us was extremely belligerent about having to pay. The lady in the uniform followed him all the way to his table, I think he finally paid. Really wouldn’t want to raise a ruckus with the person that’s supposed to be watching my car.

Tuesday another laid back day. Walked down to the new Kon Tiki for lunch. It’s a beautiful place, but I think 22 euros for a cheeseburger is a bit much. With tax and tip that would be about $35. Went back to the Perch and had a great burger for about $15. Wednesday Took F&C to airport, then stopped at P’burg to pick up friend’s ring. It Looked great. Had dinner at Le Piment – very good but still like Antoinne’s better.

Thursday and Friday, just beach days. Somewhere during the two weeks we met Jeff and Sharon from Arkansas; Joe and Carrie from California; and Jerry and Jesse from Louisiana – who also rode back to Miami with us on AA.
Forgot to mention Bruno’s Petit Casino, where Tap 5 used to be. What an improvement! The place is clean, and they have a very good selection of products, and the few items I compared prices to at Simply, just a little higher. A couple of things were actually cheaper. Also the new bakery, Cameron, attached to Yellow Sub. Thanks Bruno, you have added to the total package of Orient Village. Also had breakfast at Cheryl & Andy's several times. Always great. George said Mona (the resident pooch) has been adopted and will be moving to Connecticut in the fall. That's going to be a big culture shock for Mona.

AA flight on Saturday was on time. Miami had the new passport check-in kiosks going on. From the time we landed until we cleared the last check in station was 45 minutes. Not too shabby.
Got back to San Antonio about 5:30 – headed straight for Mexican Food.

Great trip all around.
Dan & Katherine

Dan