We got up early and went upstairs to the Columet Buffet. They had everything you could imagine (and then some more). I ended up with a piece of French toast with wild berry sauce, scrambled eggs, some fruit, milk and coffee. Michael got some eggs, oatmeal, fruit, hash browns and coffee.
Mine.Breakfast buffet. Edie’s
Around 9:30 AM, we left the ship and headed down the dock. We really didn’t have any plans for anything but were going to walk around for a bit. Once we got down just a little ways we saw local tour guides doing tours at a big discount. We got into a three hour tour for $25.00 per person. Our driver was Andres and there were six other people on the tour.
Arriving in San Maarten.
At the dock.Nearby fellow travelers.Nice houses on the top of the hill above the port.
Not sure if a new kind of wind mill or art work.We got off and there were about 15 Harley’s waiting for a group that rented them to spend the day touring the island on a hog.Headed out.
We drove through the town of Phillipsburg, on the Dutch side, and then he took us to the Orient Beach. Beautiful beach but it’s mostly known for the nudist colony. We parked really close to the nude beach and saw many nudists. Very interesting. There was also some shopping to do on the beach.
Cruise ships everywhere you look.We are reminded of Key West.Nice civic touch.We were also reminded of Rarotonga with the dense jungle on the hillsides.Tropical colors on the houses.
The sign was relocated thanks to a hurricane.Andres again, a very informative and self disclosing fellow.Our tour van.There are many churches here, mainly Catholic.Lots of beach front on the island.Clothing optional resort.Shopping near the nude beach, on the clothing side.Beautiful beach and warm water.I wanted to go 50 feet down, get naked, walk around for 2 minutes, get dressed and come catch the tour so we could say we did it. Edie said, “No.”We should not scare the unsuspecting tourist with our nakedness, I guess.Parasailing was available.
We went through a couple of small village type towns. Lots of graffiti, litter, and old appliances around. Such a shame because it is a beautiful island. The island is half Dutch and half French. Andres said the island was something like 37 miles around. Our next stop was at the capitol of the French side, Marigot. Lovely little town. We were told we had about half an hour to look around. We walked around the little outdoor shopping area and it started to pour down rain. We both got soaked. We eventually went into a store and got Michael a cheap watch.
Interesting island life I think. No rush, on an island, where you going to go in a hurry?It was mostly an overcast day.Most have cable TV with all the US and many other channels, about $45 a month.Looks like a fort on top but it is a private residence.Cows and birds seem exotic to us.Picturesque views.
Edie does this so much. I always say loudly, “Don’t run away with the camera this time!!”A favor returned.Lush.Desal plant. Water is precious and expensive here. Almost all places have cisterns that catch the rain water off the roofs.Remnant of a hurricane.Cannons protecting harbors.A Toyota I’ve not seen before.Clearly not available in the US.Near downtown Marigot, an interesting rock garden, boardwalk area.A few nice boats around.We got caught in a downpour while shopping. The vendors didn’t skip a beat, pulled out the plastic sheets and covered their merchandise.It cleared quickly and Edie went back to work.A bold little bird is on the yellow juicer and was taking sips from the pump bottles.A fort on top of the hill, different from the private residence.I don’t know what a Modus is.The border between the half of the island that is French and the half that is Dutch.A wave runner tour.
Next stop was shortly past the Princess Juliette Airport, the beach at the end of the runway. People like to gather there and see and feel the planes going by them, sometimes just feet apart. Little too exciting for me. Was fun to see a couple of the planes go by.
Headed to the beach at the end of the runway.Interesting variation on razor ribbon wire.St. Maarten, San Marten, so confusing.The runway at the beach.
I guess the big thrill is the planes come out here to take off and folks hold onto the cyclone fence and enjoy the jet engine blast in their face.Leaving the airport.Pelican statues.
Andres asked if we wanted to go back to the ship or be dropped off in downtown Phillipsburg. All in the van chose to be dropped off for shopping downtown. It is very quaint with the cobblestone narrow streets. Lots and lots of diamond and jewelry stores. We tried to find an internet cafe but the two we did see were closed. (It was still raining.) We walked around for quite a while and then walked back to the ship.
They have everything.We were told a Marriott was going in here.Port.A resort near the port.Lovely island.Graveyard, Andres told us that the people are buried 6 feet underground and not above ground.Coconuts.Police.Sugar cane growing in the yard.Subway.A memorial to Salt Pickers from 50 + years ago.Christmas lights, it is in the 80’s.Shopping in town.
In search of an internet cafe.I liked these baskets.A store that specialized in this rare fossil from Canada.
Pretty purple plant.Walking back to the ship we saw an ATV tour headed home.Pretty woman with a cow.Wet grumpy’s turn.Bug eater.Odd place for a cactus.
Edie’s penchant.First governor of the island, I think he was a proud man.Pretty woman doing her acts of kindness.A favor repaid.Headed back to the ship.I liked the color of the water here.Pretty woman following me back to the ship.
Once back at the ship – we headed up to the Columet Buffet (again) for lunch. Can’t remember what we got but it was okay. We were tired so after lunch we went back to our room and took a nap. Around 5:00 PM, we got a kick out of watching the Norwegian Getaway cruise ship next to us. It was supposed to leave at around 5:00 PM but there were so many stragglers that were running to the ship. I’m surprised they just didn’t leave without them as they were so late.
Buffet lunch.
Wow!
Around 6:15 PM or so, we went down to the 7th floor, photo studio area. We used our coupon to get two free pictures that were taken last night. After that we headed to the Pantheon Theater for tonight’s show, “The Witches of Paris.” The show was my favorite so far. Lots of dancing, acrobats, music, and a little singing. Lots of fun. Same people being recycled over and over each night.
Tonight’s show.Entertainment director.Lots of singing.Dancing.Acrobatics.The grand finale.
Once the show was over we walked down a little ways to a small lounge that had a couple singing. They were really quite good. We sat and enjoyed them for about fifteen minutes and then left to the buffet again (getting sick of the buffet).
Lounge singers that were excellent.Edie liked the copper.Late snack buffet.My snack.Departing San Maartin.
We are now back in our room for the evening. That was our day. Hope yours was great!
