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Robin, Suzanne, her boyfriend Ted, and I departed RDU May 29, 2001, for SXM via MIA. The flights were on time , and, to our surprise, were only half full. I guess that's one advantage of visiting the island during off season. <br><br>When we arrived on SXM, we were met by a smiling Myra with AAA Car Rental. We have previously rented with Hertz and really had no complaint with them other than the fact that they did not meet us at the airport nor did they drive us to the airport after we dropped the car unless we waited for their shuttle. Anyway, Myra took us to the "office", and we drove away with a Nissan Sentra with only 6000 km. Everything went well there, and we have nothing but good things to say about the service we received from AAA. <br><br>We stopped at Match and picked up supplies. Match really looks like a modern USA grocery store now. <br><br>We had booked the Caribbean Princess through Jim and Mary Ruos and proceeded on with our very full car to Orient Beach. The villa was everything we expected. The view from the second floor was breathtaking. In fact, it's one of the best we've seen on SXM. [img]/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] These villas are new and are the villa part of Cap Caraibes. They have two bedrooms and two baths, full kitchens, and a large living area with TV, radio, and CD. Sliding glass doors open onto a large balcony that contains a table that seats 6 and two lounge chairs. The only problem we had was the sliding glass doors: they didn't lock. We called security, and that was a treat in itself! They didn't speak much English, and we didn't speak much French. Suzanne's Spanish didn't even work. We did manage to communicate, however, and made two new friends. [img]/images/icons/grin.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/grin.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Being right on Orient Beach was very convenient. We've always stayed in Green Cay Villas with the children, and although we still love Green Cay, the location of the Caribbean Princess is much better. Beach chairs were provided at LaPlaya at no extra cost. <br>[img]/images/icons/cool.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] Oh, Robin and I found that it's not just sand gravity that can get you on Orient Beach. Balcony gravity can get you too! [img]/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img] <br><br>Speaking of LaPlaya....Victor was wonderful to us. We found out that he is from Cuba and speaks very little English, but this time Suzanne's Spanish came in very handy.<br>[img]/images/icons/grin.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/grin.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Victor's another new friend we'll want to visit in November. If you're in the LaPlaya area of Orient Beach and want a drink, be sure to ask for Victor. He'll take great care of you. For those of you unfamiliar with this area of Orient Beach, it lies between the Bikini Beach Bar and Esmeralda. We were able to get computer access at the office, but I had to conquer a French keyboard. [img]/images/icons/crazy.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/crazy.gif[/img] The staff was extremely helpful and friendly at this villa, and quite frankly, the maid who had our villa was the best maid I think I've had anywhere. [img]/images/icons/love.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/love.gif[/img] Suzanne commented on how good she was also. Jim and Mary even sent their children and grandchildren to stay at this villa to make sure we were well entertained. [img]/images/icons/devil.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/devil.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/rofl.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/rofl.gif[/img] We did have the pleasure of meeting Jim and Mary, and it was nice to put faces on the voices that have been so helpful to us so many times.<br><br>Ted and Suzanne decided to take the Scoobidoo to Prickly Pear and departed from Grand Case Beach Club Friday morning. We didn't go and used that time to spend at Club Orient, [img]/images/icons/grin.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] but they said they had a really great time and that the crew was fantastic. They were also pleased with the snorkeling but not overwhelmed. While waiting for them to return, Robin and I had a few drinks in the Sunset Cafe and met the bartender there. I can't recall his name, but he looks like a Pacific Islander and speaks French. He was a hoot! There's another friend we'll need to visit. It's amazing how many of our friends work in restaurants and bars, especially bars! [img]/images/icons/rofl.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/rofl.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/rofl.gif[/img] Other than a brief shopping excursion to Philipsburg, we primarily spent all our other days on Orient Beach other than showing Suzanne and Ted the market in Marigot with breakfast with Patrick at Le Saint Germain (oooohhh, those crepes and French toast he makes! [img]/images/icons/kiss.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/kiss.gif[/img])<br><br>Other restaurants we visited this trip, in no certain order, are as follows:<br><br>As usual, our first night we went to La California, and I ordered my usual calamari pizza. [img]/images/icons/oink.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/oink.gif[/img] Ted tasted it and really liked it (the boy can't be all bad!) [img]/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img] Other restaurants in Grand Case at which we dined included Le Tastevin, L'Auberge Gourmand, Talk of the Town, and the Rib Shack. I ordered lobster bisque at Le Tastevin, and it was absolutely incredible. Other dishes that were eaten by the group and were equally good were the Dover sole and the shrimp and scallops. The food was delicious, and our waiter was wonderful. We dined with Steve and Barb at L'Auberge Gourmand, and, as usual, Christopher really looked after us. I can't remember exactly what we ate there, but the food was wonderful. [img]/images/icons/oink.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/oink.gif[/img] Now, about the Rib Shack and Talk of the Town. We ate at Talk of the Town, because Suzanne wanted a lobster, and the Rib Shack had given out. Again, Robin and I just could not see how this lolo was so special. Two nights later, in order to really compare, we ate by the water at the Rib Shack. We just like this lolo better. The setting is gorgeous, and they have a little larger selection of food. In addition, I noticed that Robin's order of ribs was twice as large as it was at Talk of the Town, and the food was just as good if not better. We think the service is pretty much the same at both places--nothing special, but hey, it's a lolo. [img]/images/icons/clown.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/clown.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/clown.gif[/img] I ordered the grilled tuna steak ($4.00, and they don't have it at Talk of the Town), and it covered half my plate and was delicious. <br><br>We also purchased breakfast pastries and breads from the little bakery beside Portofino (Ile Flottant? I think is the name or something similar). We agree with everyone here who says that the food here is wonderful and quite a bargain. [img]/images/icons/love.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/love.gif[/img]<br><br>On numerous occasions, we stopped at the Bounty and picked up hors d'ouerves and other foods and found this little store to still be one of our favorites. They have a light Brie there that practically melts in your mouth. In addition, everyone is so kind and helpful. [img]/images/icons/smile.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]<br><br>We also purchased some of our breakfast pastries from L'Orientique during our morning walks. These are good also, but I don't think they're quite as good as the bakery in Grand Case and seem to be a little more expensive. L'Orientique, however, is just so convenient. Also, we had to say hello to Jane and Monique, who have always been a delight. [img]/images/icons/smile.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/smile.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]<br><br>A trip to SXM is not a trip to SXM for us without seeing Andy and Cheryl. We introduced them to Ted and Suzanne, and, of course, Andy provided entertainment as he "flirted" with Suzanne. Cheryl is making drinks with a combination of juices, and they're great. [img]/images/icons/oink.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/oink.gif[/img]<br><br>At the marina in Marigot, other than Le Saint Germain, we dined at La Belle Epoque. The food and service there were excellent at usual. The Marina is one of my favorite dining settings on SXM. [img]/images/icons/love.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/love.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/love.gif[/img] Suzanne and Ted ate by themselves one night at Jean DuPont, and, compared with the other restaurants, they felt Jean DuPont was a little pricier with the food not being of any bettter quality. <br><br>Per our suggestion, Suzanne and Ted dined at Sol E Luna their last night on the island. They were impressed with the quality of the food and the setting and enjoyed their experience there immensely.<br><br>Our one disappointment this trip was that Robert and the others at Le Piccolo were on vacation, and we didn't get to dine there. [img]/images/icons/sad.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/sad.gif[/img] I guess we'll have to make a special effort to see them in November! [img]/images/icons/grin.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/oink.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]<br>Also, we never got to the Sunset Beach Bar to see Neil and Fiona. Neil, I guess you're at the top of our list for November also! Tell Fiona I left some books with Jane for both of them. [img]/images/icons/cool.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]<br><br>We ate our last meal on SXM at Bananas right before returning our car and were fortunate enough this trip to meet Dale. She was as gracious in person as she is on the board, and we enjoyed meeting her and dining at Bananas immensely. We drank some of her banana coladas, and I think that when we return in November, we'll go get another few of those right after picking up our car. What a way to start a vacation on SXM. See ya then, Dale! [img]/images/icons/grin.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]<br><br>We were sorry we missed the TTOL party, but we enjoyed meeting TTOL members Stevenbarb, DaveS and wife, and the drunken parrot Dave. I'm really sorry. I didn't take notes, and I'm having a rather senior moment here, but it was really great meeting everybody! [img]/images/icons/rofl.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/rofl.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/rofl.gif[/img]<br><br>One other thing I experimented with on the island was exchanging dollars for francs at a Change Point in Marigot. My exchange ratio was 1:7.5, and the official bank rate was running about 1:7.65 at the time. I personally can't do this well with our bank at home or with Chevy Chase on the internet.<br><br>Wow...looks like I have the beginning to my travel novel, and we were only there eight days. As usual, the island was beautiful, and her people were gracious and friendly. [img]/images/icons/love.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/love.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/umbrella.gif[/img][img]/images/icons/umbrella.gif[/img]<br><br>Robin and Bobbe<br><br>