So, I can't believe I haven't posted pictures of St. Maarten. Our trip was so wonderful, but coming back to snow and cold, I felt kind of bad even mentioning having gone on a trip. Especially to such beautiful places. While we were at sea and Evan was in classes, I had so much time and no obligations. It was much more indulgent than I feel I'm allowed to be.
We took a Natural Wonders Tour on St. Maarten and I think Evan could very easily move to the French side of the Island. We docked on the Dutch side in Philipsburg, where we visited a zoo and then took a bus to the French side to see the tide pools.
St Maarten is divided almost in half, the Dutch side, Sint Maarten and the French side, Saint Martin. In 1648 the Island was divided between France and the Netherlands Antilles, being desirable by both countries for the export of salt.
We were told this story about the uneven division of the Island: To divide the island in two sections, [in 1648] two walkers were chosen, one chosen by the French-dominated community and the other one by the Dutch-dominated community. They were put back to back on a beach on one side of the island, and were told to walk in opposite directions around the island. The point where they eventually meet would divide Saint-Martin from Sint Maarten. Once they met on the other side, the French had covered 20 square miles, while the Dutch only 13 square miles. The story goes that while the French walker chose wine to drink, the Dutch chose gin; so while the French walker continued on, the Dutchman had to sit down and take a nap.
They were building eight villas on the land we are standing on and I have to say I would love to be able to buy one. Can you believe that view? (Except we heard that the beaches are clothing optional, and for those that opt out, clothing should be required.)
Once we got back to the Dutch side we shopped around a bit and I bought the cutest topsy-turvy dolls from this lady, one side is dressed in traditional Dutch clothing and the other side is French.
St. Maarten was really beautiful. Unique to St. Martin is the fact that property tax is only assessed once a home is finished, so many of the homes were unfinished and will stay that way. Also, our tour guide lives on the Dutch side, where as his mom and brother live on the French side, so rather than pay for an international call he drops in for a visit.
St Maarten is divided almost in half, the Dutch side, Sint Maarten and the French side, Saint Martin. In 1648 the Island was divided between France and the Netherlands Antilles, being desirable by both countries for the export of salt.
We were told this story about the uneven division of the Island: To divide the island in two sections, [in 1648] two walkers were chosen, one chosen by the French-dominated community and the other one by the Dutch-dominated community. They were put back to back on a beach on one side of the island, and were told to walk in opposite directions around the island. The point where they eventually meet would divide Saint-Martin from Sint Maarten. Once they met on the other side, the French had covered 20 square miles, while the Dutch only 13 square miles. The story goes that while the French walker chose wine to drink, the Dutch chose gin; so while the French walker continued on, the Dutchman had to sit down and take a nap.
They were building eight villas on the land we are standing on and I have to say I would love to be able to buy one. Can you believe that view? (Except we heard that the beaches are clothing optional, and for those that opt out, clothing should be required.)
Once we got back to the Dutch side we shopped around a bit and I bought the cutest topsy-turvy dolls from this lady, one side is dressed in traditional Dutch clothing and the other side is French.
St. Maarten was really beautiful. Unique to St. Martin is the fact that property tax is only assessed once a home is finished, so many of the homes were unfinished and will stay that way. Also, our tour guide lives on the Dutch side, where as his mom and brother live on the French side, so rather than pay for an international call he drops in for a visit. 
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