It was nice seeing Christmas decorations as a reminder that the holidays were upon us. 
Amongst the crowd you can see the local steel drum band as they entertain guests from the ship.
If you look closely in the background you can see the outline of St. John Island.
This was another movable home but it has been kept in better condition than most.
This was an old servant's home.
It's amazing this building has survived the huricanes. This was one of the movable homes that could be disassembled and packed in a wagon to a new location.
Soon, a new resort will replace the lush foilage seen here overlooking the pristine, blue water.
This is the Texico Desalting Plant on the Dutch side of the island.
Hungry? How about a nice papaya or mango?
This is all that remains of the last sugar mill on the island.
Not far from the dock where our ship was docked was this prestigous professional building. 
You can tell these islanders know what a beautiful island with great weather they live on.
At the top is Rich Point Looout known as the perfect pirate's lookout.
And finally we arrive at the picturesque Margot Bay on the French side of the island.
This is what he was looking at, his kite. Kite surfing is quite a popular sport here on the island.
Can you guess what this guy is looking up in the sky at?
Alan and I had the perfect seats at the back of the bus where there was plenty of leg room!
I thought this was a beautiful home with a lush yard surrounding it.
Now here's an interesting home built entirely of concrete. With hurricanes homes are no longer built from wood anymore.
Fort Lewis is high on a hill overlooking Margot Bay.
Parle Vous Francaise?
We were finally going to see the French side of the island. These flags and the sign are the only ways one knows they've even crossed the border. There's no need for any kind of border control. 
At the border between the two countries all the flags are flown.
Even on a beautiful, serene island domestic violence can be found, but there is hope too.
As you can see in this picture the homes are in brilliant pastel colors.
You can see in this picture how windy it was on the day we were on the island.
The best way to see both sides of the island is to take a tour in a nice air conditioned bus.Day 8
Another partially cloudy day but at 82’ who can complain? We had a leisurely breakfast at the Lido Deck and I looked forward to checking the little vender shop past the pier about the sundresses. I knew if anyplace had any that they would. Our shore excursion wasn’t until 11 so we could actually do a little shopping prior to our shore excursion to Orient Beach.
After disembarking our local pilot at the Bridgetown pilot station, we set various Northwesterly courses, passing between the islands of Dominica and Martinique. St. Maarten stands on the Anguilla Bank and is part of the Leeward Islands. The Leeward Islands in their turn are part of the Lesser Antilles, together with the Windward Islands and the Virgin Islands.
Phillipsburg, the capital of Dutch St, Maarten, fills a narrow stretch of land between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond. Founded in 1763 by John Philips, a Scotish captain in the Dutch navy, it soon became a bustling center of international trade. Today, it is as bustling as ever, with lively shopping streets, cafes, and hotels. Two main roads cut across the length of Philipburg—Front Street and yes, Back Street. Front Street, the main thoroughfare, is lined with duty-free shops offering everything from Italian leather goods to Japanese cameras to native crafts. Narrow alleyways lead in either direction to arcades and courtyards filled with flowers. Visitors will also find examples of traditional West Indian architecture, including characteristic pastel-colored houses with second-story verandas looking out over the street.
Front Street’s most prominent landmark is the Courthouse, built in 1793. A grand white wooden structure topped with a cupola, it now serves as St. Maarten’s courthouse. Also on Front Street is the Simartin Museum, which gives visitors an excellent introduction to local history. Among the artifacts on display is pottery from the island’s original inhabitants, the Arawaks, and cargo salvaged from a British ship, which sank off the coast in 1801.
Background: Pretty St. Maarten shares familiar elements of paradise with other sophisticated Caribbean vacation spots. Anguilla and St. Basrthelemy are both nearby (St. Maarten ferry service links the islands) and the region features some of the most elegant resort properties in the hemisphere. Impeccable service is a habit, and local establishments offer both variety and refinement. In keeping with the pace of 21st century life, cell phones and portable computers are everywhere, but activity remains distinctly Caribbean—evident in the unorchestrated rhythm that seems to course through the streets.
While the two sides share facilities and services, such as water supply and fishing rights, they remain distinct. Still, there is cooperation, as there must be in such as small place. For example, each side has an airport, but (Dutch) Juliana Airport accepts all the larger aircraft while L’Esperence on the French side, is used for small commuter aircraft. The Dutch is busy, and is well suited for those who like activity and bustle.
Philipsburg is the capital of Dutch St. Maarten. The town is laid out along a narrow isthmus that divides Great Bay from Salt Pond. Three long streets parallel the waterfront and form the central district. It’s easy to find your way around from the name of the street. Front Street is closest tot the water, followed by Back Street, and Pondfill Street. The modern cruise dock is linked to the town center via water taxi. On arrival at Victorian-style Captain Hodge Wharf, you will come to Cyrus Wathey Square (aka de Ruyterplein (“de roy ter plant”)), a busy hub that is the un official town center. Taxis, vendors, buskers, and shoppers throng the bustling nucleus. Facing the square, the cream-colored courthouse was first built in 1793, but saw several restorations. The old landmark was temporary headquarters for the town council, weigh station, post office, jail, and even the fire department at various times, but it is now the exclusive domain of the St. Maarten court. Fortunately, the matters that come before the bench are typically mild when compared to those faced by other modern judicial systems.
What’s Ashore: Sint Maarten Museum-The collection at the Saint Maarten Museum features local relics and pottery shards that date back to the days of the early Arawak culture. Slightly more modern pieces are also included, such as salvaged artifacts from the HMS Proselyte and European colonial antiques. There is a fine collection old stamps and coins, and the museum shop has a great stock of books concerning island and regional history, politics, nature, and poetry, as well as some interesting replicas of 17th and 18th century charts. One exhibit concerns the island’s old forts and offers background for those who wish to visit the old structures. The whimsically-named Last Mango in Paradise shop around the corner is also the HMS Proselyte Maritime Museum and features even more items from the lost wreck. Guests are asked for guidance at the Visitor Center on the end of the pier or in Cyrus Wathey Square.
Fort Amsterdam Among the island’s several interesting old ramparts, Fort Amsterdam is one of the most accessible. Walk along the waterfront through Little (Divi) Bay Beach Resort and follow the trail up the hill on the other side. Built in the 17th century, the Dutch-built structure was erected atop the ruin of an earlier Spanish garrison. The sweeping harbor view makes clear the reason the strategic site was selected. Peter Stuyvesant who was serving as Dutch governor of New Amsterdam (now Manhattan) when British troops attacked and renamed it New York, was St. Maarten governor when the fort was built. From the ruin, you can also see nearby Fort Hill, the former site of Fort Willem (now ruined), which was captured in repeating succession by Dutch, British, and French forces no less than 16 times between 1801 and 1848. The tumultuous period represented the final chapter in the battle for colonial control. A steep dirt road leads to the top of Fort Hill for a splendid view.
Beach Tips. On the Dutch side of the island, Mullet Bay is most accessible (and popular) shore. The largest and most popular French beach is Baie Longue with more than a mile of white sand but no facilities.
Port Particulars. St. Maarten was a haven for 16th century pirates—there was no organized defense to oppose the criminals. They are long gone, but there is still plenty of ‘loot’ to be found. Even if you don’t want to shop, Front Street merchants do their level best to entice you. At the street’s eastern, historic Passangrahan Hotel is the island’s oldest. Once the Royal Guest House for visiting dignitaries, the quaint West Indian style building is often mistaken to be a museum.
Going Ashore. The ship docked at Philipsburg. Water taxis operate to Little Pier in town.
Beaches. Mullet Bay, Maho Beach, Simpson Beach, and Little Bay (Dutch side). Baie Longue, Baie Rouge, Grand Case (French side).
Historic Footprints.
900 Arawak tribes name the island Sualouiga (Salty Land) for the island’s abundant natural salt pans
1493 Columbus sights the island (November 11) and claims it for Spain. It is the holy day of St. Martin of Tours
1620s Dutch merchants take salt from St. Maarten. The commodity is essential for food preservation on long voyages.
1629 French at St. Martin
1631 First Dutch settlement. Govenor Jan Claszen van Campen builds Fort Amsterdam between Great Bay and Little Bay (first Dutch military outpost in the Caribbean)
1633 Spanish troops attack and drive Dutch away, build Old Spanish Fort at Point Blanche
1644 Peter Stuyvesant, later New Amesterdam (New York) governor, re-claims the island, but loses the bid (and his leg) to a cannonball. His tomb is in New York, but his leg is buried on Curacao
1645 Holland abandons St Maarten
1648 Spain’s 80-year war with Holland ends. Spaniards abandon Caribbean. French and Dutch reps square off. A treaty is signed atop Mount Concordia to divide the island, but it changes hands between them 16 times until 1816
1845 Netherlands Antilles created
Another partially cloudy day but at 82’ who can complain? We had a leisurely breakfast at the Lido Deck and I looked forward to checking the little vender shop past the pier about the sundresses. I knew if anyplace had any that they would. Our shore excursion wasn’t until 11 so we could actually do a little shopping prior to our shore excursion to Orient Beach.
After disembarking our local pilot at the Bridgetown pilot station, we set various Northwesterly courses, passing between the islands of Dominica and Martinique. St. Maarten stands on the Anguilla Bank and is part of the Leeward Islands. The Leeward Islands in their turn are part of the Lesser Antilles, together with the Windward Islands and the Virgin Islands.
Phillipsburg, the capital of Dutch St, Maarten, fills a narrow stretch of land between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond. Founded in 1763 by John Philips, a Scotish captain in the Dutch navy, it soon became a bustling center of international trade. Today, it is as bustling as ever, with lively shopping streets, cafes, and hotels. Two main roads cut across the length of Philipburg—Front Street and yes, Back Street. Front Street, the main thoroughfare, is lined with duty-free shops offering everything from Italian leather goods to Japanese cameras to native crafts. Narrow alleyways lead in either direction to arcades and courtyards filled with flowers. Visitors will also find examples of traditional West Indian architecture, including characteristic pastel-colored houses with second-story verandas looking out over the street.
Front Street’s most prominent landmark is the Courthouse, built in 1793. A grand white wooden structure topped with a cupola, it now serves as St. Maarten’s courthouse. Also on Front Street is the Simartin Museum, which gives visitors an excellent introduction to local history. Among the artifacts on display is pottery from the island’s original inhabitants, the Arawaks, and cargo salvaged from a British ship, which sank off the coast in 1801.
Background: Pretty St. Maarten shares familiar elements of paradise with other sophisticated Caribbean vacation spots. Anguilla and St. Basrthelemy are both nearby (St. Maarten ferry service links the islands) and the region features some of the most elegant resort properties in the hemisphere. Impeccable service is a habit, and local establishments offer both variety and refinement. In keeping with the pace of 21st century life, cell phones and portable computers are everywhere, but activity remains distinctly Caribbean—evident in the unorchestrated rhythm that seems to course through the streets.
While the two sides share facilities and services, such as water supply and fishing rights, they remain distinct. Still, there is cooperation, as there must be in such as small place. For example, each side has an airport, but (Dutch) Juliana Airport accepts all the larger aircraft while L’Esperence on the French side, is used for small commuter aircraft. The Dutch is busy, and is well suited for those who like activity and bustle.
Philipsburg is the capital of Dutch St. Maarten. The town is laid out along a narrow isthmus that divides Great Bay from Salt Pond. Three long streets parallel the waterfront and form the central district. It’s easy to find your way around from the name of the street. Front Street is closest tot the water, followed by Back Street, and Pondfill Street. The modern cruise dock is linked to the town center via water taxi. On arrival at Victorian-style Captain Hodge Wharf, you will come to Cyrus Wathey Square (aka de Ruyterplein (“de roy ter plant”)), a busy hub that is the un official town center. Taxis, vendors, buskers, and shoppers throng the bustling nucleus. Facing the square, the cream-colored courthouse was first built in 1793, but saw several restorations. The old landmark was temporary headquarters for the town council, weigh station, post office, jail, and even the fire department at various times, but it is now the exclusive domain of the St. Maarten court. Fortunately, the matters that come before the bench are typically mild when compared to those faced by other modern judicial systems.
What’s Ashore: Sint Maarten Museum-The collection at the Saint Maarten Museum features local relics and pottery shards that date back to the days of the early Arawak culture. Slightly more modern pieces are also included, such as salvaged artifacts from the HMS Proselyte and European colonial antiques. There is a fine collection old stamps and coins, and the museum shop has a great stock of books concerning island and regional history, politics, nature, and poetry, as well as some interesting replicas of 17th and 18th century charts. One exhibit concerns the island’s old forts and offers background for those who wish to visit the old structures. The whimsically-named Last Mango in Paradise shop around the corner is also the HMS Proselyte Maritime Museum and features even more items from the lost wreck. Guests are asked for guidance at the Visitor Center on the end of the pier or in Cyrus Wathey Square.
Fort Amsterdam Among the island’s several interesting old ramparts, Fort Amsterdam is one of the most accessible. Walk along the waterfront through Little (Divi) Bay Beach Resort and follow the trail up the hill on the other side. Built in the 17th century, the Dutch-built structure was erected atop the ruin of an earlier Spanish garrison. The sweeping harbor view makes clear the reason the strategic site was selected. Peter Stuyvesant who was serving as Dutch governor of New Amsterdam (now Manhattan) when British troops attacked and renamed it New York, was St. Maarten governor when the fort was built. From the ruin, you can also see nearby Fort Hill, the former site of Fort Willem (now ruined), which was captured in repeating succession by Dutch, British, and French forces no less than 16 times between 1801 and 1848. The tumultuous period represented the final chapter in the battle for colonial control. A steep dirt road leads to the top of Fort Hill for a splendid view.
Beach Tips. On the Dutch side of the island, Mullet Bay is most accessible (and popular) shore. The largest and most popular French beach is Baie Longue with more than a mile of white sand but no facilities.
Port Particulars. St. Maarten was a haven for 16th century pirates—there was no organized defense to oppose the criminals. They are long gone, but there is still plenty of ‘loot’ to be found. Even if you don’t want to shop, Front Street merchants do their level best to entice you. At the street’s eastern, historic Passangrahan Hotel is the island’s oldest. Once the Royal Guest House for visiting dignitaries, the quaint West Indian style building is often mistaken to be a museum.
Going Ashore. The ship docked at Philipsburg. Water taxis operate to Little Pier in town.
Beaches. Mullet Bay, Maho Beach, Simpson Beach, and Little Bay (Dutch side). Baie Longue, Baie Rouge, Grand Case (French side).
Historic Footprints.
900 Arawak tribes name the island Sualouiga (Salty Land) for the island’s abundant natural salt pans
1493 Columbus sights the island (November 11) and claims it for Spain. It is the holy day of St. Martin of Tours
1620s Dutch merchants take salt from St. Maarten. The commodity is essential for food preservation on long voyages.
1629 French at St. Martin
1631 First Dutch settlement. Govenor Jan Claszen van Campen builds Fort Amsterdam between Great Bay and Little Bay (first Dutch military outpost in the Caribbean)
1633 Spanish troops attack and drive Dutch away, build Old Spanish Fort at Point Blanche
1644 Peter Stuyvesant, later New Amesterdam (New York) governor, re-claims the island, but loses the bid (and his leg) to a cannonball. His tomb is in New York, but his leg is buried on Curacao
1645 Holland abandons St Maarten
1648 Spain’s 80-year war with Holland ends. Spaniards abandon Caribbean. French and Dutch reps square off. A treaty is signed atop Mount Concordia to divide the island, but it changes hands between them 16 times until 1816
1845 Netherlands Antilles created
Day’s Activities included: the fitness morning stretch, aqua aerobics, mass, Walk-a-Mile, Team Trivia, Craft class (Iris Folding/making a holiday card, Game of Taboo, BINGO, Golf Putting Challenge, Volleyball, Card Players meet, Afternoon Tea, Yahtzee, basketball, Hanukkah service, Topaz Collection Show, and The Ultimate Game Show.After Barbados we headed north to St. Maarten. The weather was quite windy causing the waves on the beach to have undertows and of course with it being windy there wouldn't be the BBQ held. So instead of going to Orient Beach we went on a nice tour around the island, stopping at Margot, the capitol of St. Martin (the French side of the island). The island is divided in half with one side being French and one side being Dutch (an island under two flags). We've only visited the Dutch side all the other times we'd been there and wanted to see the French side; prices are a lot better on the French side. We usually go to Little Dive Beach Resort but this time we wanted to see the other side of the island. The French and Dutch sides are definitely different but nice. And like I said the French side is less expensive. We actually liked it being a bit windy as it kept it from being so hot and humid. In the past it would be so hot that you’d have to be in the water to cool off. This is the island where I bought 7 sundresses in all kinds of colors. What is nice about them is that I can wear them during the winter by simply wearing a blouse or sweater with them. Alan bought himself a nice hat on the French side of the island and later I wished that I ‘d had him get me one like it since my hat got ruined in the Dominica Rainforest. We also found a wonderful tote bag on the French side that we thought would be useful in putting all the things we bought on the cruise in, but we ended up not needing to use it. I have been able to use it quite a bit for toting things back and forth to work and church though so it was a good buy.
I was able to go to the craft class and made a really neat Christmas card using the Iris Folding technique. Since we didn’t have to be on shore for our excursion until 11 we were able to do a little shopping earlier at the little dress vender and Alan even had time to run them all back to the ship before leaving for our excursion. We even had time to catch a bite to eat so we indulged in some tasty hot dogs and a refreshing fruit drink before the tour bus came. We returned around 4:30, just in time to get changed for dinner. For dinner I ordered a delicious chilled raspberry soup, Caesar salad, chicken Cor Don Bleu and topped it all off with a nice rum soufflé and 2 cappuccinos.
I was able to go to the craft class and made a really neat Christmas card using the Iris Folding technique. Since we didn’t have to be on shore for our excursion until 11 we were able to do a little shopping earlier at the little dress vender and Alan even had time to run them all back to the ship before leaving for our excursion. We even had time to catch a bite to eat so we indulged in some tasty hot dogs and a refreshing fruit drink before the tour bus came. We returned around 4:30, just in time to get changed for dinner. For dinner I ordered a delicious chilled raspberry soup, Caesar salad, chicken Cor Don Bleu and topped it all off with a nice rum soufflé and 2 cappuccinos.
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