We decided to include in our trip report just the major differences or new perspectives that obtained from our first two trips, September 1999 and January 2002. If anyone would like more details about a specific topic, please let us know. Basics - We flew American/American Eagle on a DFW-SJU-BON routing (2nd time). We stayed at the Plaza Resort (3rd time), Ocean View Grand Suite and we rented a Daewoo Mini (micro!)van from AB Carrental (3rd time). New perspective on car rental service - Both AB Carrental and Netty's were a little difficult to get e-mail responses from. Both were very heavily booked. We wanted a park-capable vehicle, but had to settle for a personality-ladened Daewoo Minivan. It was a "Damas" model, so only my wife could use it. Don't worry, the Dutch didn't get it either. :>) New perspective on air service - American Eagle seemed completely discombobulated by the fact that the return flight had been overbooked. They were so rattled they could not/would not even confirm our return reservation from BON to SJU, much less SJU to DFW. (We arrived at 4:40 am and had no problems.) Because of the new KLM early morning arrival/departure, the airport was alive at 4:30 am and thereafter. Totally different from January 2002. New perspective on restaurants - Best new find in restaurants for us was Casa Blanca. Excellent beef, very conscientious, hard working staff. Other new (to us) and recommended restaurants were Lighthouse, Lost Penguin and Lion's Den. Food at Croccantino's seemed heavy handed (even though we love rich, spicy food), service was marginal, but the pina colada was the best we've every had, anywhere. Worst service, to the point that for the first time in years and years we left no tip, was Chez Lucille. Ashame; the red curry chicken was excellent and the garden setting very pleasant. Tipsy Seagull service was dramatically improved, probably the best we had, and the food was very good, also. New perspective on Plaza Resort - In prior years we had been somewhat annoyed by late-night noise from the beach bar. Since we were on the beach side this year, we were apprehensive. Not a problem. Don't know if we were just lucky, or whether the beach bar has turned down their music volume. The only annoying music we had this year was from the Tipsy Seagull's Thursday night event, but that was over at 10:00 p.m.. At the Plaza in September '99, most of the guests were Dutch. In January '02, most were Americans. In March '03, most were Dutch. And, the most children we've every seen. Didn't have any real noisy kids except for one night in the room below us. Didn't last long. The service at the Plaza definitely has improved since Sept '99 and even since Jan '02. We had a few small requests and each was filled promptly (really!) and with a smile . New perspective on service in general - The service in almost all cases across the island has improved since Sept '99 and even since Jan '02. Folks in the restaurants, businesses and stores seem to be paying more careful attention to listening and to responding to the needs of their customers. We were told by several locals that this is no accident, that there has been a formal, concentrated effort by the tourism community to improve service. They have made tangible progress. They merit our commendation and appreciation. New perspective on snorkeling - During our first two days of snorkeling, we ran into very, very small jelly fish. If felt as if you were swimming through a swarm of mosquitos, but it lasted only 10-20 seconds with no after effect for us at all. We did, however, meet a couple of different people who swam without cover-ups and had rings of small whelps which they described as irritating, not painful. It was quite windy, so much so that we did not feel comfortable snorkeling at many sites, i.e., 1000 Steps, Pink Beach, etc., especially anytime after midmorning. 18 Palms was the exception. Among Windsock, 1000 Steps and 18 Palms, 18 Palms was by far the best in terms of marine life sightings, as well as easy of snorkeling in windy conditions. New perspective on art - We got to see, in Michael Gaynor's store next to Lovers Ice Cream, some very nice art work by Linda Richter and others. It was good to see so much local art in one place. New perspective on Papiamentu - We were told by many individuals, because we asked, that there are no words/expressions in Papiamentu for "please" and "thank you." and some question if there is an expression for "you are welcome." There are Spanish and Dutch terms that are used, but not true Papiamentu. Indeed, we did notice that very infrequently were we directly thanked for our business and we never heard "please" in any language. When we said "thank you," "danke," or "gracias," we most often received a smile, but not an articulation of "you are welcome" in any language. We took this simply as a cultural artifact that was in no way an indication of rudeness, but rather simply an indication of a differing perspective and manner of expression. Bottom line - As soon as we got home, we began reviewing the calendar and our bank balances to plot our next trip to Snorkelers Heaven. We hope this information will be as useful to others as the postings from so many have been to us.
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