Last weekend we were lucky enough to go to the tropical paradise known as St Maarten with my company. About 60 employees, partners, and kids went which made for a fun bunch. The island was beautiful with perfect weather (78 degrees with no humidity), crystal-clear water, and great beaches.
Our journey began last Friday when we left our house at the unholy hour of 4:30am and 12 hours later we were on the beach. The kids did fine during the long trip and we were all excited to stretch our legs and swim around a bit before dinner. We stayed at the Westin at Dawn Beach, which is on the eastern side of the island. Apart from some slow service, we were really happy there. It was the nicest play we've stayed on our company trips. Our room was huge! It had a full kitchen, big living room, balcony with a view of the ocean, and a bedroom and big bathroom. We soon discovered that the big room just meant that Peter had more room to run from us. And run he did. He can now move really fast and can be hard to catch at times!
On Saturday we spent all day outside, alternating between playing in the ocean and swimming in the pool. Peter was super-relaxed in the water. He would cuddle with Nancy and look like he was in heaven. He got so relaxed with me in the pool that he fell asleep! Katie did great swimming around with her vest on and even cautiously tried swimming without it. We're hoping that the next time we're at a beach she'll be swimming without the vest. Katie got her hair braided by the woman in the gift shop.
On Sunday Katie and I went on a all-day boat ride with a bunch of other people from my office. Nancy and Peter stayed at the beach. Peter got to play with another boy about his age, Mikey. Katie had a great time on the boat. She was really excited to go snorkeling but chickened out when she realized she had to put her face in the water. Instead, she was happy holding on to my shoulders as I looked underwater and described what I was seeing (there wasn't much to see). Then we sailed near the small island of Anguilla, stopped again to swim, and returned to the dock after a full, fun day on the boat.
Monday was spent on the beach and pool and then on Tuesday we had to say a sad goodbye to St Maarten. The trip back was very long and Peter was squirmy and restless.
More stories and videos to come in the next few days. Lots of photos are below and even more are here.
The traveler on her way to the plane.
Enjoying the clear blue sea.
Peter falls asleep near the pool bar.
Peter being pushed in the inflatable turtle.
Peter cuddles with Mommy in the pool.
Katie gets a "dolphin ride" from Lauren.
The beachcomber.
Katie and Mischa on the boat.
On the boat.
Katie and Mischa at the front of the boat, her favorite spot (and also the windiest).
Katie watches all the fish swim near our boat (people threw part of their lunch in the water to attract them).
The cove where we went snorkeling.
Another view of the cove.
Katie and Daddy on the boat.
The seafarer on the front of the boat.
Katie on the boat during a beautiful sunset.
The boat we sailed on.
Meanwhile, Peter plays peek-a-boo with Mikey.
Me and the kids in the sea. Peter loved bobbing up and down on the turtle on the waves.
Katie enjoys ice cream on the beach.
Peter plays with Maggie.
He needs to work on his catching.
Maggie runs for the ball while Peter stares her down. (Katie and me are in the hot tub in the background).
Katie pretends she is Jasmine in front of a fountain.
Peter liked the turtle so much he sat in it in the hotel room.
Our final night in St Maarten.
Going for one last swim before leaving for the airport.
The beach. The island in the background is St Barts, where lots o' celebrities go.
Another shot of the beach
Our hotel
On the bus to the airport
We saw this face from Peter a lot on the plane ride home. But all in all, the kids did great and made it a very enjoyable vacation.
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