Our first trip was Feb of 2000. We had been going to Cozumel for years, and a lot of other islands between Coz trips. Then the the cruise ships started coming and the island was turning into another Cancun, so we moved south. My wife did a lot of research and we decided on San Pedro. We came in the first day, and it was getting dark when we landed on the island. My wife and I, a few relatives and friends piled into a ratty little van for the trip down middle street to Paradise villas. I said to the wife, "what the hell have you gotten us into?. After settling into our villa, we hoofed it downtown and ended up at the Barrier Reef (where the bank is now) on front street. This is where I met up with the first lobster the size of my forearm ( I believe it was about $12 US). A few Belikins and we were hooked. 6 trips so far, and a lot of good experiences, good food, new friends and great memories. We still hit a few other islands, but Ambergris is our "comfort" place. Right now we are trying to plan for Lobsterfest this year. Like a lot of others, we remember when the bridge was just a pipedream and the hand ferry was reality. Papi's was the best. Mornings at Estels (thank God some things don't change). I remember my first Belikin Calendar, a gift from a waiter at The Reef, because the disty didn't have any left. Fishing trips ending up with a beach luch complete with fresh ceviche and fish done up in tinfoil, and lobsters on the side. And Belikin. All of those mornings on the pier with a cup of coffee watching the sun come up. The kids playing in the streets, happier than children seem to be elswhere. Kids going to school in uniform, and getting rides in golf carts from the tourists. Picking up hitchhikers on the carts away from town, and making new friends. The smiles on the people, and the overwhelming feeling that you were a guest on the island, not interlopers. Heavy Sigh.

Been there, done that, the washing machine ate the T-shirt