St Maarten Island

We again had an amazing breakfast and then joined our tour activity, which was a bus tour of the island and a 40 minute stop at a local market, then free time on the docks. 

Map of St Maarten

On deck before we disembarked, St Maarten in the background

We docked at the town of Philipsburg. The island is basically in the hands of two countries, one half owned by the French and the other by the Dutch.  The dutch side appears to be the cheapest, but the French side look after the roads and people better.  The French get better salaries and conditions, but they all go to the Dutch side for their groceries etc, as the prices are cheaper.

Entering the Dutch side

Then the French side.

There are two of everything, two electric companies, two telephone companies etc.  One supplies the French side and the other the Dutch.  So if you want to call your friend on the other side of the island it is a long distance call, but you can call France from the French side and it is a local call.  The same for the Dutch side, The netherlands is a local call, but the other side of the island is long distance.  Really weird.

A view of the harbour

There was a lot of damage in 2017 with two hurricans in short order, the first did a lot of structural damage and the second was mainly flooding.  But they are still recovering as not everyone had insurance or help from the government.

Some of the damage to the homes.  It was really devastating

There are iguanas everywhere, they sit on top of the trees in the shade.  The island has no snakes as they have mongoose.  So their road kill is generally iguanas and mongoose.

The iguanas are all colours from orange, green, brown.  They are amazing.  This one is sunning on top of the tree. They were everywhere.

We visited a flea market at Marigot, and I brought 2 dresses and 1 top, in cotton, because many of my tops don't breath.

Kearie and I are struggling to find free wifi anywhere, the cruise charge $30 per day, so we haven't done that.  I have global Airalo, but it is $37 for 3 GB, which goes in no time really.  So not sure how ofter I can blog.

At breakfast, I thanked the waiter for taking my plate, he lent close and whispered, "Thank you for thanking me." I said, "Everyone should", he responded, "they should, but they don't".  He then asked where we were from and he loves Aus, he is originally from the Philipines, and has sailed out of Sydney, to New Zealand with this cruise liner, he loves our chocolate and he loves Sydney. He was a little sweetie.

Once again we had a delicious dinner, which I didn't photograph and did some activities and are now relaxing and about to turn in for the night

We are currently in St Croix, in the US Virgin Islands and I am posting the two last days, while I have wifi access.  Who knows when the next wi fi will be.... 

Cheers
Lones