Sint Maarten Winter Getaway
Hoping you all had a wonderful holiday season. We spent some of our winter break basking in the hot Sint Maarten sun. It was the perfect getaway.
On one day we decided to rent a car and drive around the island. We went to the cruise ship port and capital of the Dutch side, Phillipsburg. It was an extremely touristy shopping area.. it was Christmas Day so many shops were closed. After a quick stroll be headed to Orient Beach and then to Pinel Island. We parked in the Cul de Sac and took a quick five minute ferry to the island. The very very small island is clothing optional.. as was Orient Beach and has two restaurants as well as many iguana's and hermit crabs. The boys were oblivious to the topless women (thankfully). H was enthralled by the iguanas.
We caught an early morning direct flight to Sint Maarten. Did you know - St. Martin is the smallest island in the world divided between two countries, France and the Netherlands. We stayed on the Dutch side at the Little Divi Beach Resort with the all inclusive option. Our focus was to try to relax and spend most of our time doing nothing.
On one day we decided to rent a car and drive around the island. We went to the cruise ship port and capital of the Dutch side, Phillipsburg. It was an extremely touristy shopping area.. it was Christmas Day so many shops were closed. After a quick stroll be headed to Orient Beach and then to Pinel Island. We parked in the Cul de Sac and took a quick five minute ferry to the island. The very very small island is clothing optional.. as was Orient Beach and has two restaurants as well as many iguana's and hermit crabs. The boys were oblivious to the topless women (thankfully). H was enthralled by the iguanas.
There was an ice cream boat.. :) We stayed on the island for about an hour.. D was starting to feel a little feverish.. eek.
Back on the ferry and to the car.. we continued our drive around the island.. our mistake was probably that we chose Christmas day to venture out to explore the island when so much of the island was closed. Our final destination was Maho Beach aka Sunset Beach. This beach is famous for its proximity to the Princess Juliana Airport's landing strip. We grabbed a snack at the Sunset Bar and sat on the beach as we ate and watched the air planes flying low overhead..
It was a pretty perfect getaway.
In September of 2017 Hurricane Irma devastated the island. It was the worst hurricane to hit the island in over a century. Over a year later the island is on it's way to recovery. Until just a few months ago the airport was a large tent.. while the airport is still under construction it is now a building with walls. The tourist areas appear almost untouched but along the shores you can spot shipwrecked boats, the houses of the residents can we seen covered with tarps. It is a beautiful island and I wish them a quick recovery..
Looks like a wonderful way to escape the winter cold!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to go visit a place that is rebuilding in a way after that Hurricane.
ReplyDeleteAnd I had to laugh at the fact the iguanas won out over the bathing suits (or lack thereof)
XOOX
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
Looks like a fun getaway!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to get away from the cold of winter. It's good to hear that island is recovering well from Hurricane Irma and hopefully that continues.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a better winter getaway!! So fun!
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit Sint Maarten! Sounds like a fun place to escape to.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2019, Hena!
What a lovely getaway for Christmas! It's good the island is recovering well from the Hurricane and you couldn't see a lot of the damage.
ReplyDeleteHope that you've had a wonderful start to 2019 so far! :)
Away From The Blue Blog
Oh wow! Looks amazing. I'm not really an island/beach person with my fair skin, but it sure is beautiful. I bet it was a welcome trip this winter.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful island! Hope it quickly restores after this devastating hurricane.
ReplyDeletewww.fashionradi.com
Looks like a great place for a holiday! I must look it up, never heard of it before :-)
ReplyDeleteI could do with a bit of warm sunshine. Have a good week. x
I have been to St. Maarten and loved it! Amazing pics!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.kathrineeldridge.com
So fun!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics!
xoxox,
CC
Oh you guys look like you had an awesome time. I did not know that it was located half way between France and the Netherlands. Good to know!
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
It's not located between the two countries.. the island is in the Caribbean. It's actually ruled by two governments.. half by France and the other half by the Dutch.
DeleteOmg, what a little slice of paradise! Looks like you guys had an amazing time!
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
what a fun adventure! that starfish is so cool!
ReplyDeletekelseybang.com
4allthingsdisney.com
Hurricans can be devastating to island like that, so it's great the Island got rebuild (baggage claim in a tent must've been a sight!). I love the island, it looks beautiful. Water is magnificent, I hope you had a lot of fun. Also, renting a car for sightseeing is always great.
ReplyDeleteDorota
www.journalofdorota.com
What beautiful photos. It sounds like it was the perfect holiday getaway! We were in Paris for Christmas one year and everything was closed except Disneyland Paris, so we went there for the day!
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
ReplyDeletexx
https://theonethattravels.wordpress.com/
so happy for you and your family that you had a great getaway in fun and sun! Look at the blueness!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun! Look at that gorgeous colourful star fish :D
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful little place! I've been to St. Croix and just loved it but haven't made it to St. Maarten. The pictures are beautiful and I laughed that the boys were more intrigued by the iguanas than the topless bathers. Enjoy those ages...that won't last for long. I loved seeing the paddleboard pictures. I'd love to paddle in beautiful waters like that. We just have gray lakes here, but I still love paddling them. Thanks so much for sharing this awesome adventure!
ReplyDeleteRuth
www.voguefauxreal.com
Hello,
ReplyDeleteAmazing !
Sarah, https://sarahmodeee.fr/
I think I heard about St. Martin before. I had some collegues from Curacao ( another Caribbean island, but this one rules by the Dutch) and they told me a story about an island that was divided between the two governments, the French and the Dutch. If I remember correctly, they divided the island in a peaceful way, they both choose two runners as their champions and the race determined how much of the island would belong to either country. This was all long ago, but it is an interesting story. I've always wanted to visit the Caribbeans, I'm sure the islands there are beautiful. Your photographs are amazing. Seems like you had a great time! I'm very sorry to hear about the Irma hurricane that also struck this little island in 2017. I remember hearing about the hurricane but I didn't know this island was so affected. I hope they'll manage to recover as soon as possible. Thanks for sharing your vacation experience. I wish all the best to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteLook at how beautiful the water is there. I would love to visit Saint Maarten one day.
ReplyDeleteSo, so nice fotos! I would like to be there. We have a lot of snow and it is very cold.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week!
This was such a fun time for the kids. I really like it
ReplyDeleteNew post
https://www.melodyjacob.com/2019/01/i-am-still-struggling-to-get-over.html
We went to St Maarten for our honeymoon and again a few years ago. Love seeing your pics! The beach near the airport is so much fun!
ReplyDeleteJill - Doused in Pink
Your beach time looks so fun!
ReplyDeleteThese pics are amazing. Looks like you gys had an awesome time :D These pics are making me go to a vacation right now :(
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such a wonderful time with your family and so very much fun! And oh, seeing that blue sky is a great lift today. We have had more than our share of gray skies in Michigan and I long for the blue of the sky and open water!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog the other day -- it's a pleasure to "meet" you!
Now that looks like a great and lovely getaway. Beautiful shots!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.missymayification.co.uk
We were there for a stop on a cruise. I'd definitely go back for longer.
ReplyDeletewonderful place❤
ReplyDeleteOne word: AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteLovely island!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself
What an amazing getaway for the whole family! Kids looks like they're having a blast!
ReplyDeleteJessica | notjessfashion.com
Wow what an interesting trip! Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun an exploring. The little one chasing after the iguana made me smile. So cute.
ReplyDeleteLisa
What a fun trip. I love seeing your boys. They are so cute and have infectious smiles.
ReplyDeleteGreat Post.
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