Crash Landing

That's exactly what coming back from a nice Caribbean vacation feels like as you re-enter the real world.  I think it starts with the day we have to leave. Our vacation ended with 2 1/2 days of pretty yucky weather and of course, the day we woke up to leave it was gorgeous.  Bummer.  Would have been easier to even want to go if it was still raining.  On top of that, it's a really long day as most of the flights don't leave until late afternoon and then there's six hours of flights, transfers, and customs.  To add insult to injury, this year I was chosen for special security screening which means all the way home our bags got scanned, re-scanned, manually searched and I got a full body pat down in front of hundreds of people coming through the security line.  Even Mr. Helen said, "Wow, this is not a good day for you!"   Thankfully we'd had 2 hours to get through immigration and security again so when we finally got to our gate, I looked at my watch and informed Mr. Helen that we only had 20 minutes or so to board for our second and final flight home.  No sooner had those words come out of my mouth an announcement was made informing us that our flight was delayed due to the flight crew being over hours and we had to wait for another crew to come in from Tampa.  The delay was 1 1/2 hours.  Mr. Helen took one look at my face and said, "Please don't cry."  Believe me I wanted to because the San Juan airport is not that exciting.  Ultimately once we were on the plane everything was smooth but all that mess meant we didn't get home until after 2 a..m. and probably not to bed/sleep until 3.  Booyah - crash landing!


Then of course the whole weekend is spent doing laundry, grocery shopping, a bit of cooking (but not nearly as much as I'd normally do.)  Did my first run on Sunday morning and it was OK - not great, not bad, just an average run.  For mysterious reasons unknown to me, Mr. Helen decided to come with, which is just ridiculous because the man runs 8 minute miles on average. My run did feel good.  It felt good to move my body that way after however many days of not doing that and strolls on the beach.  HOWEVER.  (or but.  isn't there always a but?)  There I was huffing and puffing and feeling the run and the hills and he spent 5.2 miles practicing Thai Combos, knees, and cariocas, alternated with sprints and running in place while he waited for me.  If it wasn't so funny I probably would have been horrified lol!

So that's that.  I'll just leave you with some beach shots for today... including the bikini shot that you wanted Leslie :D 

Baie Rouge - a new beach for us on the recommendation of Little Helen.  We loved it and will go there often when we are in St. Martin.

The beach bar and grill at Baie Rouge.

Doesn't this sign just make you want to go to Happy Hour?

The food was delish!

Orient Beach.  This beach bar has a Buddha - and some eye candy! 

Took this one just for you Lori!

Orient is one of the few beaches that has big waves.

Mr. Helen rescued this guy who was trying to wind surf

and was so exhausted he kept going under!

OK, I'll say it:  Although I haven't made Helen Mirren status yet,

I am DAMN proud of those upper abs!

Grand Case Beach and Petite Plage which are the two beaches on either side of our resort. 

We spent most of our time here.

Looking out from Petite Plage you see Creole Rock. 

That's where we laid Nick to rest last year.

This 165' yacht anchored off the beach for most of the time we were there.  Turns out Bravo TV was filming a new reality show on it - we met one of the producers!

Sunsets are spectacular.

At least one or two more vacation posts coming including the food and fashion.  I know you can't wait!