Monday, January 10, 2011

Jan 9 - St Maarten

our first stop in the Caribbean. Small island, ½ dutch, ½ French. We dock on the dutch side at Phillipsburg, nice port, we take a water taxi to get across to where the town is. We find a taxi and driver “Jean” the dancing machine. He takes the 3 of us (Jara, a lady we have met from Seattle is with us) on an island tour, we have several stops in mind, the French capital Marigot, Orient Beach (nude), Grand Cas (the gourmet town), Maho Beach where the planes land low over the beach and back to Phillipsburg. We have a swim at Orient Beach (not nude for us), walk around Marigot, up to the fort, and down at the harbour. It is Sunday, so most of the town is closed, but it is lovely. Bill Gates’ yacht is moored in the harbour. We buy fresh spices in Grand Cas and then look around the shops in Phillipsburg. Lots of the usual Caribbean style clothes, lots of jewellery and TONS of diamond stores! Electronics are cheap here, all duty free. We find some cheap brandy, cigars and vodka. We have to give up the vodka when we board the ship, but that is ok it is for gifts anyway. They do not detect the brandy, wrapped up in our towel, we want that for the room, so all is good.
We have an exquisite dinner for 2 at the Pinnacle Grill, where they specialize in steaks. I have steak and shrimp with creamed spinach and sautéed mushrooms, Gerry has cedar planked sea bass, both are delish. We share a decadent chocolate poofy thing.

Likely no pictures until we get off the ship as it takes too much time online here, so stay tuned.

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