Cruising the Caribbean - Day five - St Maarten

[Ste]

30th September 2008

As per usual , I was up at the crack of dawn to see another beautiful day arrive. Also woke up to the map on the TV telling me it was just 25nm to St Maarten! Oh yeah! Land - I have been so excited about here for months.

Once again - A gorgeous sunrise.





I had put our breakfast order out on the door handle last night - chose the first slot we could. Thanks to Carolynn38 - I had toast for my breakfast! She told me I could write it on the bottom of the order sheet, so I did, with a little thank you and behold.. I had yummy toast! Thank you Carolynn. :-D

Sat on the balcony with breakfast, saw our first sign of life.. I'm guessing he might be from St Maarten or it's surrounding islands? He caught a flying fish! ( They were everywhere, just skimming the water and splashing in , too quick to get a photo!)



Now if only I could have breakfast in such a place everyday... Ahummmmmm.



The ship started rocking about now.. Due to me jumping up and down on the starboard side.. I could see it.. ST MAARTEN!



It's been one of my life long ambitions to go to the international airport here.. Sadly I didn't get to it, but did see it several times on our tour and got an awesome video of a plane landing as we set sail tonight.



I bought* a villa when I was on the island - It's the yellow one!



*In my head I did anyway.



We docked just before 9am - Right on schedule! The Captain reversed us in.

Got off the boat and the fun started. I honestly felt like I was drunk, walking all over the place and shaky! It was terra firma, forgotton what it was like to be on solid ground.



Yesterday we booked a late excursion for RCI's St Maarten Island tour - Hosted by Dutch tours. We had to meet the group at 9.45. There were several busses.

Had a lovely driver and tour guide, she was really funny. The tour was simply fantastic and at $23 a piece for 3 hours, we couldn't complain. We learned soo much about this paradise island. We crossed over the border into the French side ( Not as nice as the Dutch I must say!) - Had a photo stop in a very picturesque spot , followed by 45minute shopping time in Marigot, the French side Capitol. Great flea market there where I bought gifts for home and of course, the obligatory keyring's , hat, Magnet and bag with St Maarten written across.. LOL. The island is absolutely full of Butterflies! Everywhere. You imagine love bug season at it's peak in Orlando, well time it by 10. Quite amazing really, just all fluttering by like snow so , elegantly and silent.

Got to see the ship!



Continued below...

[Ste]

The photo stop - The airport is on there somewhere, along with a few homes owned by celebrities! ( And my future home when I win the jackpot... )



Coconut man at the flea market - How Caribbean?!?!?! Wish I'd of had one now! Doh!



The Market.



A nudist resort - Shame, didn't see any Nudey's today. Maybe next time ;-)



After the tour we had a look around Phillisburg and popped in some of the shops. Great place! ( Designer gear expensive though, even though it's Duty free!)

Now back on the ship.



Lunch was in the windjammer , didn't take a picture today as it was the same as everyday.. pizza, chips and mash. LOL

All aboard time was 4.30pm.



We were off. Sob. I was really sad, I would of forfieted the rest of the week on the ship to stay here. The most amazing place I have ever visited.. Pure Paradise.





Bye bye St Maarten! *cries*






Continued below...

[Ste]

I had a walk around the ship. I don't know why , but I seriously didn't fancy a go on the flow rider.



Tonight's attire for dinner was Smart Casual.

We went to check out some pictures in the photo gallery of the formal night. The casino..



Had a fabulous evening meal with our new made friends. Made friends for life with these people.
Didn't have a starter. None I fancied. For Main I had Herb chicken! It was very yummy in deed. ( With Mash.. My waiter remembered! Aww!)



Dessert was an absolutely GORGEOUS apple pie!




Continued below...

[Ste]

Popped back to the cabin to change.. Tonight was the midnight buffet..

Found a swan! YAY!



As I said tonight was the midnight buffet. We watched it being all set up from above the solarium. ( Where it was held) It was actually called a Pool surf buffet or something. It opened earlier for picture taking. Everything was so impressive, the ice sculptures and the food.









There was a live Ice Carving demonstration, my Nan watched that as I took pictures of a passing Carnival ship. It was the Glory! ( Found out about an hour ago when I looked at the video of it. )

Took around 30pics trying to get a perfect one.. still couldn't do it! Best I could do.

It was fab to see - every few seconds you'd see a flash from the side of it.. They were taking pics of us. If it were a bit closer I'd of shouted.. Mine's bigger than yours!



After the buffet, the pool party got into full swing. The atmosphere was totally indescribable (sp?) - Everyone was smiling, laughing and dancing! Even me!

You just can't believe your in the midddle of the ocean, all together but yet so alone.



Whilst we were at the buffet, the lovely Scottish couple from our table came looking for me with ticket's to tomorrow's ice show. They'd seen it yesterday and were on a back to back so they could see it next week. We hadn't managed to get any! So grateful to them!

It was now really late and time to call it a night. Today has to be the best day of my life.. St Maarten - WOW! The weather was absolutely gorgeous! The poolside buffet , again WOW!

I'm going to go back there one day..Hopefully soon. ( Maybe on Oasis or Allure of the seas? )

Tomorrow - San Juan, Puerto Rico!

[purple myra]

Oh wow... what a fantastic day you had! great photos again

[Michelle]

Really great day.

Love the look of the ship.

[BevS97]

It sounds like a lovely day. I have to ask though, why did you want to see the international airport at St Maartin? Is it famous for something?

[Guest]

Looks and sounds like you had a fantastic day Sonshine, again Fantastic trippie and Photos...

PS wheres that lovely picture of you gone ?
come on dont be shy, put it back on it was really really nice XXX

[Ste]

Originally Posted by BevS97

It sounds like a lovely day. I have to ask though, why did you want to see the international airport at St Maartin? Is it famous for something?

See more...

This is why.. It's Maho Beach.


Always next time - 100% sure i'll be back.

[TrueBlue]

another great day with more great pictures ste, looking forward to the next day's trip now