His wife charmed area she walked in with a vibrant smile and soft spoken voice that made whole experience feel more like a visit to distant relatives than a two-day squat around strangers.

Dinner was said to be at 6 p.m., so with a few hours to kill, we dropped our bags by room, grabbed some amazingly large carrots and headed out to numerous fenced in areas where over 50 Arabian horses were kept.

The horses were amazingly tame and trained to sight of carrots as they all converged, heads stuck over fence praying for a taste. They were a collage of colors and sizes and mainly female.

Surprisingly free, our walk never uncovered a closed door or keep out sign, but it did reveal some very friendly goats and dogs, one hobbling on a bad leg, but curiously pouncing forward looking for a good rub behind ears.

We rendezvoused at dining hall after dinner bell was sounded, where we all sat down at same table and stared at a feast of food. I learned Shawn was vegetarian and had been since early '80s. "I don't believe in killing animals and eating them," he said frankly, as he rolled what looked like soy meatballs onto his plate.

The other workers of ranch were introduced to us. Jade, 18-year-old fellow that another guest had so correctly stated his looks as a carbon copy of Billy Kid, grinned and tipped his hat in a shy manner—spoon full of food. Jade, I later learned, hailed from Texas and had spent more of his teenage years traveling country during summer and working at various ranches.

Our cook, Scott, was from Colorado and made most amazing homemade bread I had ever tasted.

There were two other couples on that evening, one from Kentucky who owned a few horses and was living cowboy dream but was there as a Valentines Day present to husband. The other couple was lively and exuberant, neither being an avid rider but served as comic relief whole weekend.

We retired to our respective rooms after dinner—all couples tired from their drive and ready to wake up in morning and ride some horses.

Breakfast was at 8 a.m., consisting of eggs, bacon and biscuits. Shawn told us he started ranch because he couldn't part with any of horses he had and after acquiring so many, ranch came to him as a means of financing upkeep on horses. To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/cabinweb/french/french.html

John Ross, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

Many of Maho employee/expatriates are flight-from-the-modern-mold who make a modest living assisting as volunteers for a month or two at eco-lodge to straighten out whatever problem that needs to be hammered back into shape. And many of them stay, such as long-haired short order cook, marketing director who came here over 16 years ago and never left, and glass blowing instructor, who turns that beer bottle in you mitt into an ashtray or other work of art.

Maho Bay offers one month summer program, usually in June, to those looking for a cheap vacation. There is no wages attached, in turn you give resort four hours a day of your time in return for a bunk at tent hotel. The restaurant meals are also discounted for volunteers. But what a great way to spend some time in paradise.

The National Park offers Cinnamon Bay Campground for those that want to camp, but hey, why camp when you can bask in luxury at Maho Bay Camps, just around corner, and on one of most beautiful bays in Caribbean.

HARMONY STUDIOS

At top of Maho Bay Camps and a five minute walk on boardwalk from Maho Bay Camp is Harmony Studios, a row of two-story duplex cottages that offer more convenience and comfort for campers. These are not tents; architecture employs passive solar design, photovoltaics, rain collection and roof scoops that draw cooling breezes through well-furnished rooms that have recycled building materials such as "plastic lumber", recycled glass tiles, steel nails, and rubber tire rugs. Interactive computers in some units monitor daily energy use. Harmony blends great Caribbean vacations with international ecotourism movement.

The 2-story wooden Harmony Estate structures come with a key to turn on and off solar power for hot water and to supply electricity to small fridge. Harmony is mostly king bedded rooms with a separate bath area ensuite. Sit on small patio and listen to hummingbirds.

Bedroom Studios (upper/lower) have two twin beds (roll aways are also available), kitchenettes with microwave, all kitchen appliances and cooking utensils, dining table and chairs, tiled private bathrooms, all linens, and a spacious 6' x 18' deck with furniture.

Living Room Studios (upper/lower) have queen-size sofa-beds, two twin beds, kitchenettes with microwave, all kitchen appliances and cooking utensils, spacious dining areas, all linens, tiled private bath, and a large 6' x 20' deck with furniture.

Concordia Eco Tents and Concordia Estates are also owned by Maho Bay Camps

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/cabinweb/maho/maho.html

Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com