u/Trolldad_IRL

This was our 10th visit to the island since our first in 2015. We skipped 2020 for the same reasons everyone else did, and we had to skip last year personal reasons. This was our first time going in June. We usually travel late July / early August, and once in November. We travelled with some first timers who arrived a few day later than we did. We are coming from California, so travel involves red-eye flights, time (about 12-15 hrs gate to gate) and just a bit of jet lag.

Arrived June 18, left Jun 28. Friends arrived June 21, left on the 28th. with us.

Stayed in Orient Village for the first three days, then moved to Maho where our friend were staying.

Weather - Drier than usual. It was still humid, but there was very little in the way of rain. Heat was standard, but we're fine with that.

Sargassum - not really an issue, except in Oyster Pond where it smelled bad.

New restaurants for us - Maison Mere in Orient Village, Rancho Del Sol in Orient, Los Pollos Hermanos in Simpson Bay, some rib place in the Fish Market.

Other Restaurants/food - Gutside, Jai's Contemporary Fusion, Krave SXM, Blue Bitch Cafe, Ocean 82, Chez Leandra, Orange Fever, Greenhouse (Simpson Bay), Driftwood, Le P'Tit Bistro, Burger Bar SXM, Chez Yvette's, probably at least one other place I can't remember.

Beaches - Orient (3x), Little Bay, Lover's Beach, Pinel (briefly)

Outings - Hike to the Natural Pool in Point Blanche, short hike to Lover's Beach, Moses Walk at Coralita, Boomerang 3 Island tour, Fort Louis.

Rum Punches drank - Lost count.

Caribs drank - about 12?

Stops at Juggies Place - 2. 4 small beers, 2 small cigars, 2 Chocolate milk shakes without any milk.

Injuries - Tore up my toe a bit on a rock while snorkeling. Almost a blister on one foot from sandals. Tore a bathing suit on sharp rocks. Scraped my knee. Friend may have broken a toe after hitting an umbrella stand barefoot on Pinel.

We also had a mod meet-up at an undisclosed location.

Things left on my list to do - still a lot.

All in all we had a great time and our friends seemed to have a great time too. I did spend a lot more time taking newbies around than I would have preferred, but I knew what I was getting in to. I wish we had more more beach day, but we opted for the Boomerang trip for the first timers.

Next trip - ???

South end of Orient where they keep it cleaner and the tide and wind movie much of it to other parts of the bay.

Looks like it will still be CO. Of course they’re just now consulting an architect, but at least they have permission to build. 2-3 years to build. First thing to do is finally remove what Hurricane Irma destroyed in 2017.

This will be trip number 10 for us. Had to skip last year for “reasons” so we’re very much looking forward to this trip. Also, we’re bringing first timers with us for much of the trip, so that will be fun.

Leave on a red eye tomorrow night, get there Thursday, Orient all day Friday drinking Caribs and rum drinks.

See you at the Perch.

This years is predicted have fewer hurricanes, which is great, it's still something we need to be aware of.

I usually monitor with NOAA Atlantic, but there are plenty of other sources, so feel free to link them here as needed. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

The show is not over until the house lights come up.

I swear at every show I've been to after every time Geddy says "Thank you goodnight" and the bands walks off, so many people head towards the door so they can get to the parking lot before the big crowds. 1 or 2 minutes after that everyone is back on stage for two more songs and trust me, you will be missing out if you leave before that. AND, even after the encore there is one more thing on the screen. So stay in your seats until the house lights come up.

I would love to think that everyone knows that, but based on the amount of people leaving after the first "thank you goodnight" there are still quite a few people who don't.

They ended the show with >!Working Man!<. Great hearing the song. However it was the big screen animations that really caught my eye. The did a very obvious tribute to >!John Rutsey!< which was very nice to see. They did not have to >!Honor their first drummer!< that way, but it showed a genuine respect and acknowledgement of 50+ years of Rush.

I'll be the older white guy in section 105, so I should be easy to find, LOL.

I bought a singular ticket for myself for my upcoming birthday. I'm about 10 years older than Rush.