StM 2005 1

Our flights took us to Miami for a short stay on South Beach before we met up with Kris (and Ken) a day later at the Sunset Beach Bar. This little layover gave us the opportunity to stay at one of our favorite hotels, the Eden Roc Renaissance, and laze on their beach for an afternoon.

This was our 7th visit to our favorite island, but we were very concerned about the many storms turning into hurricanes and passing very close to SXM. We actually didn't decide to go until the day before our red-eye flight and we are very pleased we did!

Officially we were still working, or Cheri was. If only her clients knew what she was wearing!

That night we went to dinner at the Rendezvous Cafe. Our porch table allowed us to watch the sights go by without the sights watching us eat.

We arrived at Miami International Airport with what we thought was time to spare. Despite being seasoned travelers, we forgot how chaotic this airport can be. Luckily we made it through the usual long check-in line (no bags to check of course) and through security screening just in time to board the 2-hour American Airlines flight to St. Martin. No upgrades on this flight as we were using free tickets. We typically fly First Class as far as we can on United Airlines, usually to San Juan, and then use our AA miles for the jump down to the island.

It's really easy to get on island time, especially when you go straight from the airport to the Sunset Beach Bar. After two or three free drinks for the girls, our quiet vacation turned into one of the funniest and "perverted" ones ever.

It was our first time meeting Tony's good "internet" friend Rob (this is where the perverted part comes in), his wife Laura and their son Duncan. Tony thought he took a lot of pictures, but he knew he'd met his match when he saw Rob, armed with three cameras and, a Playboy (or even Penthouse) photographer's mind and wit.

Caribs and shots were had by all (except Duncan) and you could sense this group was in the mood to party all week. More importantly we all got on like a house on fire. It was like we had been friends for years! Men with cameras and topless women, how could this vacation fail?

We soon found our way to Bliss which is next door to SSBB. They have a beautiful pool, large lounging beds, great service and a fantastic view of the sunset. Bliss is open

Wednesday through Sunday 1:00p till whenever, but

we were told we could use their pool anytime as long as we behaved ourselves ... no idea why they let us stay!

The sun went down and it was time to check into Le Petit Hotel for one night. What fun it was driving the

roads of St. Martin again, especially with the jeep Michael at Unity Car Rental gave us. This time we kept the windows, just in case the rains came. It was a tiring day so we decided on an easy dinner at Talk of the Town in Grand Case. This place is by far the best casual and inexpensive dinner you can get. Afterwards we decided to walk back to the hotel and even though we wanted to get back to our lovely Le Petit bed, we stopped off at Sebastiano's to have a nice romantic nightcap. Fairly expensive for the drinks, but good measures and a great view of Anguilla. Then the rains came and it poured ... and our poor jeep was topless. No, we never did use the windows.

Friday SXM here we come!

Welcome to St. Martin and the

Sunset Beach Bar

Thursday A day of pre-SXM relaxation.

Go to Saturday & Sunday