| s/y Nine of Cups The Leeward Islands - St. Martin/Sint Maarten 2002 |
We arrived on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten
and anchored in Simsonbaai ( Simpson Bay)
right outside of the Simpson Bay Lagoon. We
cleared Customs and Immigration right at the
dock. We don’t have a Netherlands Antilles
courtesy flag so we flew the Dutch flag which is
acceptable. Note the Dutch flag looks very
similar to the French flag …not to mention red,
white and blue!
and anchored in Simsonbaai ( Simpson Bay)
right outside of the Simpson Bay Lagoon. We
cleared Customs and Immigration right at the
dock. We don’t have a Netherlands Antilles
courtesy flag so we flew the Dutch flag which is
acceptable. Note the Dutch flag looks very
similar to the French flag …not to mention red,
white and blue!
| St. Martin/Sint Maarten facts... One island, two different countries: France, Holland Capitals: Marigot (French); Philipsburg (Dutch) Area: 37 sq miles Population: ~73,000 High Point: Pic Paradis (1360') Languages: French, Dutch, English Currency: Euro, US $ |
| One island, two different countries. Sint Maarten is Dutch and St. Martin is French. Here’s the totally undocumented story: The French and Dutch both wanted the island, however they were too civilized to engage in combat over it. So a Frenchman armed with a bottle of wine and a Dutchman with a bottle of gin began walking. Where they met, became the boundary line and has remained so since 1648. The French side (21 square miles) is a bit larger than the Dutch side (16 square miles) owing to the fact that the gin was stronger than the wine! |
France
Netherlands
St. Martin
Netherlands
Antilles
Antilles
Lift bridge into the Simpson Bay Lagoon opened only
3 times a day and we were waiting in line for our turn
to pass through the narrow 38' opening.
3 times a day and we were waiting in line for our turn
to pass through the narrow 38' opening.
When going from one side of the island
to the other by boat, you must clear in
and out each time. However, via car or
dinghy or on foot, we can go back and
forth without the hassle so we left our
boat in the Dutch lagoon and traveled
the short distance back and forth in the
dinghy quite easily. All the good food
was on the French side!
to the other by boat, you must clear in
and out each time. However, via car or
dinghy or on foot, we can go back and
forth without the hassle so we left our
boat in the Dutch lagoon and traveled
the short distance back and forth in the
dinghy quite easily. All the good food
was on the French side!
| Panoramic view of Marina Royale, Marigot Bay, St. Martin French West Indies, a great place for dinner. |
Wandering around Marigot is a feast for the eyes. The
Marigot Marketplace was a riot of colors, sounds and smells.
Marigot Marketplace was a riot of colors, sounds and smells.
Guavaberry is a local liqueur which comes in all sorts of
exotic fruit flavors. We tried a sample, but quite honestly the
only comparison that came to mind was: Vicks cough syrup.
exotic fruit flavors. We tried a sample, but quite honestly the
only comparison that came to mind was: Vicks cough syrup.
| Just in case you were wondering what Jelly does while we're exploring (and when we're not exploring)...these photos will give you some idea. But when she's not catnapping, she sits pretty and smiles. |
Continue with us as we island
hop in the Leewards...next ports
of call Saba and St. Eustatius.
hop in the Leewards...next ports
of call Saba and St. Eustatius.