I've been quite delinquent, but I've finally put my St. Martin trip report on my webpage at www.homestead.com/islandtime/MainPage1.html. Surprisingly, even though I was hesitant to go there (not having liked it much when we went on our honeymoon), we liked it enough this time around to book a return trip for 2008.

I've also uploaded a mini-report on a trip to Puerto Rico last year, and will be uploading other (really vintage) trip reports in the coming days.

(Cold weather = no more sailing = time to do this stuff ... my next trip can't come soon enough!)

Nice report. I've toyed with the idea of St Martin, but thought it too crowded. Your pix are wonderful. Makes me want to go now! Thank you.

Peace, Greenie

I enjoyed your report, Callaloo, and glad to hear that you had a nice time on St. Martin after so many years.

I'll have to check out Paradise Caraibes. I used to stay in apartments in Grand Case for years, but then they ultimately were all turned into permanent residences. I would enjoy staying in that area again when I'm on the island, so thanks for the tip.

Statia,

We just got got from a trip to Grand Case and have a friend with a place right in the village. You don't mention where you used to stay, but she has an apartment at Hotel L'Alantide. She will be renting it out for guests. Had a chance to check it out and it is very nice. Two bedroom, two bath, full kitchen, beautiful balcony overlooking deck (2nd floor).

Lizzie, we have stayed at L'Alantide in the past and loved it. Our first place years ago was Le Belle Grand Case practically next door. It's just often hard with the prices. We have a steal thru my husband's company at Royal Palm in Simpson Bay and that's why we tend to stay there nowadays. I will look into L'Alantide again, though. It really is a lovely place and Grand Case has always been my favorite village on the island.

Lizzie, does your friend perhaps give an Antillean discount? That's what we local folks tend to rely on when we have to island hop so often....not so much for fun, but for necessity and shopping for the essentials.

Statia,

That is so funny. Our friends used to stay at Le Belle all the time. They now stay just past L'Alantide on the other side of the Rainbow. Too funny. The beach and entry to the water is much nicer (no rocks or ledge) where they are now.

My understanding was that the apartment would be $1,100 per week for one couple or $1,200 for 2 couples. I do not know about a discount for local folks since it does not apply to me. If you are interested I can email you or vice versa and provide you additional information.

Yes, Lizzie, drop me a line so that we don't hijack Callaloo's great trip report. statia69atyahoo.com

Callaloo, you seem to get down here quite a bit. Where are you planning your next adventure?

Oh, fantastic trip report! I'm not a sailor but every time I read a TR like yours it makes me long to book a sea-based rather than land-based vacation the next time we're down in the Caribbean.

And btw, kudos to you for knowing the difference between namesake and eponym! You just happened to stumble across one of my (admittedly minor) grammatical peeves. I was glad to see the use of both words in your TR.

Thanks for the compliments! (Emily, I was the editor of my HS newspaper -- totally geeky, I know -- and there was definitely a premium placed on proper use of language, at least back in those dark ages before e-mail and text messages. Don't get me started on my language peeves! I try to refrain from expressing them.)

Our next adventure is coming sooooooon ... like just days from now... can you tell I'm jumping out of my skin? We're going to Antigua to sail. And then, in March, we'll be in Anguilla and St. Martin for the Heineken regatta (perhaps even crewing on one of the race boats). I've just got to figure out how to fit in an Out Island fix sometime, because when I dream of the islands, I dream of Abaco and Cat.

Heh--I know what you mean about language peeves!

I'm actually fairly laid back when it comes to casual or informal usage--on forums, in email, or similar. But what really bugs me is finding poor grammar or incorrect usage in newspapers, journals, novels (not in dialogue but in narration). What are all of the editors out there doing?! Why, oh why, aren't these things caught and corrected?

Anyway, I just indulged in the pleasure of reading through most of your trip reports. What a warming way to spend this cool New England morning! I look forward to reading more when you have them posted and I hope you have a fantastic time in Antigua. I've not been there since 2005, but there are places on that island very close to my heart.

I was about to hijack my own thread to ask about Antigua, but on second thought, I'll just start another one...

Hi. Do you ahve any photos from your Grand Cayman trip?

Kristen1206, I'm afraid I don't have much to show for my Grand Cayman trip. It was a long weekend, so I didn't take many photos.

Hi Callaloo!
Thanks for posting your report. I always enjoy reading them. Loved the photo of the huge boats lined up next to the Dannybrook, and then the little boats. I'm looking forward to your Antigua report.

nice trip report Callaloo. very well done.
I live on St. Maarten and have to deal with the over development every day. But what your trip report points out is that there are still hidden treasures to be found and special qualities that still remain on St. Martin/Maarten.

Thank you so much for a wonderful website and your detailed trip reports.

My wife and I just returned from Eleuthera, and had thoroughly enjoyed our stay there. Most places were closed because of the hurricane season, but we found our solitude even more rewarding. Just beaches, a nice little vacation rental, beer, and rum.

We love the beaches at Eleuthera, and I felt that Cat Island would be as charming!

Thanks!

foodiechan,

Funny you should mention Eleuthera. I just added my Eleuthera report to the webpage -- it's ancient (March 1990), but it's interesting how little things change over the years on some of the islands that don't get much tourism activity. Every time I read an Eleuthera report, I'm stuck by how familiar it continues to sound. Perhaps there is hope for there continuing to be places that the escapists among us can sneak off to, without needing to go halfway around the world.