Caribbean Cruise April 2013 - Philipsburg, St.Maarten Page

Monday 15th April

We berthed at Philipsburg on St. Maarten Island. As our tour was at 1300, we did not need to get up early & had a shag before breakfast. We took the water taxi in to town. The exchange rate is € = $, which is a rip-off: €14 to the town & back. It was very hot again & Avis does not do well in the heat she had demanded.

The Court House at the end of the Tourist Trap

The Rastafarian Shop

Typical balcony

After walking to the salt lake behind the town, we had indifferent beers, €2.50 each & went back to the ship. Fortunately, the Glentanar Restaurant opened at 1145, as we had to muster at 1240 but I did say to the Sky Pilot, Robin, that lunch before 12 reeked of moral degeneracy.

The Salt Lake behind the town

Local inhabitant

Salt-making slaves monument

The tour took us into the French part of the island, which is split between Dutch (where we were berthed) & French. We stopped at a viewpoint overlooking Cole Bay Lagoon, which was spectacular & in the French Capital, Marigot, which has a much-different character from Philipsburg. We walked around for 45 minutes there & drove on through the French part, then back to Philipsburg. The lady guide had a rather bullying tone which we did not like.

Promises, promises	Cole Bay Lagoon
Fort St.Louis overlooks Marigot	Marigot Prom is very French	Street scene in Marigot