Sint Maarten island Caribbean sea vacation. The uniqueness of the island of Saint Martin and useful tips. Journey to a Butterfly Farm

Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint Martin. How to get to Sint Maarten and where is the best place to live there? Visa control in Sint Maarten. Car rental at Princess Juliana Airport and public transport in Sint Maarten. Shops in Sint Maarten and St. Maarten. Prices in Sint Maarten and St. Maarten. Currency of Sint Maarten / Currency of Saint Martin. Bank cards and ATMs in Sint Maarten / St. Maarten. Safety in Sint Maarten/Saint Maarten. Electricity and communications are on in Sint Maarten/Saint Maarten.

How to get to Sint Maarten? The most popular arrival routes to Sint Maarten are from Amsterdam, Paris and mainly from the USA. When flying through the States, you need to remember that you need a US visa.

On December 28th we flew to New York by Aeroflot. We are welcome in America - friends met us at JFK airport. We already lived with them for a week on our last trip to the States. They took us to their home in Brooklyn, treated us to a delicious dinner, discussed the fate of our distant Motherland, and in the morning they took us to Newark, for which we thank them very much.

Liberty Airport Impressed by the size. Before that, in addition to the huge JFK, we flew from what seemed to us a small LaGuardia in Queens. Liberty is not much inferior in scope to JFK - in 2015, passenger traffic at JFK amounted to almost 57 million people, at Liberty - 37.5 million (for comparison, at Sheremetyevo - 34 million, at LaGuardia, which we unfairly underestimated - 31.4 million, and in his native Eburg Koltsovo - 4.3 million according to data for 2015-2016).

In anticipation of the New Year, not knowing what to expect from prices on the islands (everything there was supposed to be quite expensive - everything was imported), we allowed ourselves a little luxury by buying a bottle of Veuve Clicquot at Duty Free. Later it turned out that the island prices are quite divine (the whole of Saint Martin / Sint Maarten is officially a duty free zone). The same Veuve Clicquot can be bought in a supermarket there for 64 dollars versus 72, which we gave at Liberty. Sparkling Martini Rose in Sint Maarten cost 18 USD. And in general, the range of wines in supermarkets on the island of St. Martin exceeded all expectations. Perhaps due to the influence of the French part of the island? But, on the other hand, in both Curacao and Aruba, purely Dutch territories, the situation was similar - the wines were in perfect order.

Liberty also surprised us with new approaches in the field of aviation security. At Liberty Airport Duty Free you cannot immediately pick up bottles of alcohol that you have paid for. They write down your flight number and your last name, and deliver your purchase to the boarding gate, where it is handed over. Not everyone understands how this works - there were passengers who boarded the plane without picking up or waiting for their packages, and as a result they were brought into the cabin.

Passenger service in UnitedAirlines fully commercialized. For a movie - pay (8 USD for connection, payment by card through a terminal connected to the video monitor). At the same time, you cannot choose from a film library, as is usually the case with other airlines, but are forced to be content with a dozen channels in English or Spanish with continuous broadcasting of various films, programs and TV series - if you didn’t get to the beginning, watch from the middle. The only free food is a bag of peanuts and juices.

The flight takes just over four hours - nothing after a ten-hour flight to New York. Our seats were on the left side. The plane crosses the entire island when landing, and we were able to admire Philipsburg - the capital of the Dutch Sint Maarten, the view of which was exactly from our side. Over the sea there is a turn, descent and then landing, passing a couple of tens of meters above the onlookers joyfully greeting the planes on the legendary Maho Beach.

Princess Juliana Airport quite small (designed for a passenger traffic of 2.5 million passengers annually - and this is for an island with a population of 75 thousand people), but decent, clean and modern. We took our suitcases and grabbed a free advertising booklet with a map attached. There were no hiccups at passport control, they worked efficiently and went through it quickly. I wrote about questions about whether there are any difficulties with arriving through Princess Juliana Airport on the Dutch side of the island to stay on the French side.

Sint Maarten, coconut tree

Transport in Sint Maarten. For me, it is most convenient to rent a car. Renting a car in Sint Maarten like me already, does not cause much trouble. Taxi service is also well developed on the island. From the airport to the farthest point (Anse Marcel, French Cul de Sac, Mount Vernon) you can get there for 45 USD. To the capitals - Philipsburg and Marigot - for 20 USD. Our Oyster Pond is about 30 years away.

Taxi prices in Sint Maarten fixed by government-approved tariffs:

It is worth noting that the prices are for 1-2 passengers and include one suitcase per person. Each additional unit is two dollars. Large boxes - 3 each, large strollers - 5 each.

More than two people – already a group rate. Child seats are included in the price. Children from 0 to 2 years old - free, from 3 to 4 - 50%, 5 years old and older - full rate.

If a taxi is ordered not to a certain point, but for a period of time (shopping, etc.), then a waiting cost of 40 USD per hour is added to the tariff; waiting time of more than 15 minutes is rounded up to an hour.

Evening tariff – plus 25% from 22:00 to 24:00, night – plus 50% from 24:00 to 6:30

Sightseeing trip around the island - from 85 USD for two (and from 20 USD per person for a trip of 8 people) for a 2.5 hour tour up to 250 USD for a full day - 5-6 hours for up to 6 people.

Taxis can be ordered in advance on the website The Dutch St. Maarten Taxi Association (DSTA) or take a taxi at the port/airport.

Paying for a taxi in Sint Maarten occurs in US dollars.

Public transport in Sint Maarten limited to small private businesses providing transportation between the main towns. There is no schedule, no stops. You see a bus/minibus with a route sign (starting and ending points) on the windshield - vote, ask if it goes where you want. When you need to get off, just tell the driver. The price of travel by public transport in Sint Maarten is 1-1.5 USD depending on the distance, and have some change ready - there may be no change. In the evening, buses rarely run, and after 23:00 - almost never.

Example: if you need to go from Maho to Simpson Bay, stop the bus to Philipsburg and get off along the road where you need to go. To get from Marigot to Simpson Bay, take the bus to Philipsburg, get off at the T-junction (look for the KFC - Kentucky Fried Chicken sign) and wait for the bus to Mullet Bay.

Typical road in Saint Martin

Car rental companies at Princess Juliana Airport do not have their own counters in the arrival hall. You need to look for their representatives outside. To the right of the exit, a few tens of meters away, you will see signs with the names of rent-a-car companies, from where shuttles pick up clients. But the SIXT I needed was not there. I asked the locals hanging around nearby: “Where has SIXT gone?” - “So he’s running around here somewhere.” They caught me a guy in an orange branded Peruvian SIXT jacket - he brought several more people from the arrivals hall. We were all seated in a minibus, which took us to the office in literally three to five minutes. The decor is unhurried in the Caribbean style. We got a white Toyota Yaris. Scratches and chips were noted in good faith.

The owner of the hotel we booked, Sol'Hôtel in Oyster Pond on the French side, sent me directions from the airport to the hotel in advance. But I still got a little lost, taking the wrong turn in Philipsburg. I asked the locals several times how to get there - they all speak excellent English, are friendly and helpful, so in the end we got there without any problems.

When we later drove around the island, having become accustomed to it, when traveling through Philipsburg, we took as a landmark a noticeable T-shaped intersection with a roundabout: to the left of it there is a lake, straight along the mountain, a turn to the right - to the port of Philipsburg, to the left - towards the French part of the island (signpost in the French Quarter). Further along the road there will be signs for Oyster Pond. From the airport to Oyster Pond the drive is no more than 40 minutes if there are no traffic jams. And they do happen on the island of St. Martin, no matter how strange it may sound.

Most traffic jams occur due to bridge openings. The opening of bridges in Sint Maarten occurs according to the following schedule:

– Simpson Bay Bridge on the Dutch side opens daily from December to April at 9:00, 9:30, 11am, 11:30, 16:30 and 17:30pm

– Sandy Ground Bridge on the French side 8:15, 14:30 on weekdays, on holidays and weekends – 8:15 and 17:30.

The border between the Dutch and French Saint Martins is marked with signs.

Somewhere the pointers are simple:

Somewhere more impressive:

Border of Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint Martin

Border monument in honor of Sint-Martin-Saint-Martin friendship

Apparently, another memorial plaque will appear in 2018 - 370 years of unity and friendship on the island

Interestingly, the border between the French and Dutch parts of the island of St. Martin was established back in 1648, and the locals have a funny story about this. You can read more about this story, and about the history of Sint Maarten and Saint Martin.

Where to live in Sint Maarten / Saint Martin?

Where to live in Sint Maarten / Saint Martin depends on your preferences.

Sint Maarten (Dutch part) is considered more attractive for young people and unbridled recreation. It's loud and loose, with lots of pubs, clubs, casinos and a vibrant nightlife. Sint Maarten is an autonomous state within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, therefore almost everything is permitted there as in Holland. Except drugs (including mild ones). On the Dutch side there is the famous Maho Beach, famous for its photographs of planes flying a couple of tens of meters above the heads of holidaymakers. The most popular area is Simpson Bay.

View of Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten

Saint Martin (the French part) is positioned as a quieter and more prestigious holiday destination for older tourists, or simply those who prefer a relaxing holiday and fine cuisine - it is believed that the best restaurants are in Saint Martin (for this is where the influence of refined traditions is present French cuisine). The town of Gran Cas is considered the gourmet capital of the island (and some argue of the entire Caribbean region).

The French part of the island also has more gorgeous beaches. There is Orient Beach - the largest beach on the island, which also has a corner officially belonging to the nudist Orient Club. On the French side lies Galion Beach, the beach most popular with surfers.

Grand Cas and Orien Bay are the most popular places to stay in Saint Martin.

Villa in Saint Martin, near Frair`s Bay beach

The average cost of a hotel room in Sint Maarten / St. Maarten is 130-160 US dollars per night. But you can find something cheaper and simpler, from 50 dollars. Renting an apartment in Saint Martin is also not difficult. Prices are about the same.

We stopped at Sol'Hotel on the French side in a small village (town?) Oyster Pond, divided by the border between Sint Maarten and St. Maarten. Sol'Hôtel has a high rating and many good reviews. And ours included - we liked it there.

Sol'Hôtel, Oyster Pond

After dropping our things off at the hotel, we made our way to a small local grocery store. Aux Pains d'Epices. The assortment is good, there is everything you need - meat, cheeses, fruits, a decent line of wines.

Prices in Saint Martin, as I wrote above, European. What is the currency in Sint Maarten/Saint Maarten? This is also a question that often confuses island guests.

Currency of Sint Maarten– Netherlands Antilles Guilder, abbreviated as NAF. It is pegged to the US Dollar – 1.79 NAF = 1 USD. Netherlands Antilles Guilder was the common currency of the Netherlands Antilles, as can easily be assumed, and still (as of 2017) remains the currency for Sint Maarten and Curacao. By law, prices in Sint Maarten must be quoted in NAF. But the US dollar is accepted equally with NAF without restrictions. Therefore, prices on the Dutch side are usually indicated in double prices - in NAF and USD. Euros are not accepted on the Dutch side.

But on the French side, in Saint Martin, all price tags are in euros. NAF is not accepted. But the US dollar is easy. The dollar to euro exchange rate in Saint Martin is tied to stock exchange quotes. In December-January 2014, dollars on the French side were usually taken at the rate of 1.32-1.38 per 1 euro. But often the dollar is accepted as payment at a more favorable rate, sometimes even 1:1, depending on your luck. Sometimes restaurants already write at the entrance that they accept dollars at a rate of 1:1 to euros. In any case, it is always worth having dollars with you, and, before paying in euros, ask what the exchange rate is. Most likely it will be cheaper in dollars.

The US dollar turns out to be the universal currency for the island. You won't need NAF if you have dollars. Well, or if we don’t have an unhealthy need to hold and save exotic currencies for our collection. I have such a disease.

Small change can be given from dollars in eurocents on the French side and NAF on the Dutch side. Accordingly, they can also give change in American change if there is no exchange in the appropriate currency.

Bank cards in Sint Maarten. Both MasterCard and Visa are accepted equally. There may be problems with American Express. Bank cards are needed mainly for renting cars and paying for hotels. Very often, restaurants and shops do not accept cards, only cash. Cash in Sint Maarten can be withdrawn from a bank card at banks or automated teller machines (ATMs) without any problems. Finding ATMs is also not difficult - I specifically withdrew a certain amount in Netherlands Antillean guilders. On the Dutch side. ATMs in Sint Maarten will offer you the choice of withdrawing money in NAF, USD or EUR. ATM in Saint Martin (French) – Euro only.

At the same time, as they say, there is one caveat: if your card is linked to an account in USD, withdraw dollars in the Dutch part, because this way you will only pay a commission for withdrawing funds from an ATM. If you withdraw euros on the French side from a card linked to a dollar account, then on the ATM screen the conversion rate at which you will receive euros may look attractive. But this is the local bank rate. And your bank may have a higher conversion rate, and as a result, the final conversion cost for you will be higher. Therefore, the locals advise that if you had to withdraw euros from a bank card on the French side, then go and exchange them at the bank for dollars. This will usually give you a better exchange rate. Plus, on the French side it is often more profitable to pay in dollars than in euros.

In the store, of course, we picked up wine, cheese, and smoked meats. And, on the advice of Kolet, the hostess Sol'Hotel, mosquito repellent candle. Mosquitoes on Sint Maarten are present. We left the candle burning at night - the floor in the room was made of tiles - no one ate us. On the terrace in the evenings it happened that people were bitten. But the local small, half-dead mosquitoes are no match for the Ural monsters - their buzzing is almost inaudible, they sting unnoticed, and the bite mark does not last long.

It is worth saying that the next day after our arrival, on the way to Philipsburg, we came across a large supermarket in Sint Maarten with reasonable prices and an excellent assortment - The Fresh Market. Wines are mainly from France, then from Chile, Argentina, California, beer from Holland, USA, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and others.

Christmas arrangement at The Fresh Market, Sint Maarten

There is also Carrefour in Saint Martin. Finding supermarkets in Sint Maarten, thanks to Google, is not very difficult these days - just type in Google “supermarkets in sint maarten” or “supermarkets in st maarten” and you will be happy - supermarkets of both Sint Maarten and Saint Maarten will be shown . But if you search for “supermarkets in saint martin,” you won’t be happy, because there are plenty of saint martins in the world, and Google will look for them in Europe, the USA, and other places remote from the desired point.

Safety onSint Maarten.

Still, it is worth drawing attention to the fact that although we have never encountered any aggression or problems on the island, there are occasionally reports on the Internet about robberies of tourists (especially on Peak Paradise), theft of their cars and thefts. Therefore, as with everything, it is worth exercising reasonable caution.

Walking along Oyster Pond late one night, we witnessed how the gendarmes arrived either to respond to a call, or to trigger an alarm, or to make an arrest. Just like in the movies, about 6 people poured out of the minibus and technically took up positions near the fence of the house, after which two, under the cover of the others, ran, bent down, to the entrance. My wife didn’t let me watch any further, considering it better to leave this free show.

Be that as it may, the vast majority of those who had the opportunity to live on the island longer consider Sint Maarten / St. Maarten to be a completely safe place, calmer than Prague (where I felt quite comfortable walking at night in the central and not very areas), not to mention comparisons with Jamaica, St. Thomas and Santa Lucia. It is still advised not to be alone on deserted beaches at night, to avoid residential areas of Sandy Ground, French and Dutch Quarter at night, not to wander unnecessarily along dark alleys in Philipsburg and Marigot, not to wave your wallet in public, and not to leave it in plain sight. place of value in the car.

Sandy Ground: 18.058687 , -63.104846

Quartier D\"Orléans (French Quarter): 18.069668 , -63.037934

Dutch Quarter: 18.049903 , -63.045600

Some people believe that when renting a car, it makes sense to ask for a car with a license plate not of the Dutch Sint Maarten (which has the symbol R - rented), but of the French Saint Maarten (the rental companies on the Dutch side always have them), because such The license plate gives away the visitor and may provoke a desire to scam him.

Registration number for a rental car in Sint Maarten

Yes, does anyone else remember the popular scheme for selling time shares in the late 90s in Russia? On the island of St. Martin this theme is in full bloom. Persuasive promoters will pester you on the streets, inviting you to watch a presentation in exchange for a gift. At the presentation, they will pour you a glass and tell you how great it is to have a timeshare in Saint Martin (the right to use resort real estate - an apartment or a villa - for a certain time over a certain number of years), after which they will immediately insistently offer to sign a contract and then pay for it. During the season, a timeshare will cost several tens of thousands of dollars. Not that much? It's a shame, but you can get it cheaper in the off-season. Or even cheaper, but in low season. But you need to pay right now and urgently.

In fact, a timeshare is only needed in one case - if you really intend to live in this place every year and are sure that it will be so. Then this may be reasonable, but it is worth first calculating how much. In other cases, it's money down the drain. You can go to a presentation if you have nothing to kill time with, you want to receive a gift (for example, a spa voucher) for free and you are sure that you yourself will sell what you want to someone who will try to sell you something. If you are kind, trusting, and believe in the best, then it is better to pretend that you do not understand what we are talking about and go sunbathe and swim on the beach, thereby maintaining faith in humanity and a fair amount of personal savings.

Electricity and electrical outlets in St. Maarten / Sint Maarten.

What electrical outlets there are on St. Martin's depends on which part of the island you're staying on.

On the French side (Saint Martin) there are sockets of the usual European type.

Type E plug and socket

An adapter will most likely not be required. Although recently there has been a requirement to switch to type E sockets - with an additional grounding pin - the result is that flat plugs (which are the majority) may be suitable, but round ones will require an adapter.

The voltage in Saint Martin is 220 volts, but the frequency of the current is not the usual 50, but 60 hertz. This only affects devices with an electric motor.

On the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) there are American type sockets - A and B.

Marigot 21:16 26°C
partly cloudy

Hotels

Saint Martin has a decent selection of hotels to suit every taste and budget. But fans of noisy animation and the all-inclusive system will be a little disappointed, such a service is missing here. Even breakfast in most hotels is not included in the price. If you want to save a little money, choose apartment hotels with a kitchen; local supermarkets have everything you need for cooking. But the level of service, the condition of the rooms and their furnishings will be at their best. The service is similar to hotels in the Dominican Republic.

It is better to book accommodation several months in advance before the intended travel date. The reception of some hotels is open only at certain times: during lunch and from 18:00 to 24:00.

Attractions

The island of Saint Martin is a real tropical paradise with white sand, turquoise sea, beautiful nature. The extinct Mount Flagstaff volcano will be a bonus. But the main attraction of the island is not the beautiful landscapes or even some kind of nature reserve, but the Princess Juliana Airport. Many tourists admit that they choose Saint Martin as their holiday destination for this reason. Here planes take off and land right above the heads of tourists. You can stand above the huge Boeing and take plenty of photographs of the planes (no one will chase you away, you can even stand on the apron). The main entertainment is to stand at the fence while the plane is taking off, the main thing is to hold on tight so as not to fly away with it.

Museums

The St. Maarten History Museum in Philipsburg is dedicated to the times of slavery and the fate of local residents. Most of the exhibitions tell about the hard work on sugar plantations and salt mines. You can get acquainted with local paintings in the Gallery of Haitian Art.

Climate of Saint-Martin:: Low humidity, gentle trade winds, short, intense rain showers. July-November is hurricane season.

Resorts

The island has good beaches. There are practically no waves, the water is azure, and the beach is clean. A true tropical paradise. Maho Beach is famous for being partly home to the Princess Juliana Airport. The best beaches are Mullet Beach (Dutch half) and Oriental Beach in the French part of the island.

A popular place to live is the Marina Simpson Bay area, famous for its good infrastructure, numerous bars and proximity to the beach with airplanes. Sun lounger rentals range from $8 to $15. In the Dutch part of the island the official currency is guilders, in the French part it is euros. You can pay in dollars everywhere, since the main flow of tourists comes from the USA.

Leisure

The island of Saint Martin has everything for a wonderful holiday, from warm seas and clean beaches to opportunities for scuba diving and sports. On the Dutch side there are many nightclubs, bars, casinos and shopping centers (St. Maarten is a duty-free shopping area, a real consumer paradise). The French side is famous for its good restaurants and nudist beaches.

Local hotels are famous for the fact that, in addition to the usual yoga classes, there are trainers who practice martial arts, archery or fencing. There is a sporty atmosphere throughout the island.

Relief of Saint Martin:: Mostly flat

Transport

The easiest way to get to Saint-Martin is to fly with a transfer in Paris or Amsterdam (with Air France or KLM); there are no direct flights from Russia. You can follow the promotions of American airlines, the main thing is to have a US visa, since there is no visa-free transit for Russian citizens there.

Saint Martin is famous for the large number of cars on the roads and numerous traffic jams. If you want to explore the island on your own, it is better to rent a motorbike. Public transport includes taxis and buses.

Standard of living

Local residents of both parts of the island are engaged in agriculture and traditional crafts, serve tourists and receive subsidies from France and the Netherlands. There is no own production here; everything is imported from the USA, Mexico and France.

Saint Martin has resources like: : Salt

Cities

The island of Saint Martin is divided into two parts: the north belongs to France and the south to the Netherlands. To visit each half (depending on which part of the island you are going to), Russians need a French or Dutch visa, but the border between them is conditional, no one checks documents.

The city of Marigot is the capital of the French part of the island. A former fishing village, it was turned into a city only in 2006. Famous for its low-rise buildings and authentic market square where you can buy local sauces and coconut oil.

The city of Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch part of the island. There are two streets connected by a narrow alley. The local architecture copies the old Dutch building.

For tourists

The friendliness of the Dutch and French, as well as the carefree atmosphere that reigns on Saint Martin, contributed to the symbiosis of cuisine, architecture and philosophy of the islanders. The life of the island is filled with harmony, and the borders between these two neighboring states are rather arbitrary. The French influence on Saint-Martin mostly relates to cultural heritage, but the Dutch side takes an active part in popularizing the island, which is why many resorts are located on its territory and gambling is allowed.

Both capitals (Marigot and Philipsburg) are home to a variety of fine restaurants, fashionable shops and a variety of entertainment venues, so you won't get bored here. In addition, guests of the island have a large number of magnificent beaches with white sand, which are perfect for relaxation and active entertainment.

Climate and weather

The island has a tropical climate, so the weather here is dry and very warm all year round. In the summer season, daytime air temperatures fluctuate between +27...+32 °C, and in winter they almost never fall below +24...+25 °C. The average annual rainfall on the island is around 1000–1150 mm. The rainiest months are September and November, and the driest months are February, March and April.

The most favorable time to travel to Saint Martin is from mid-December to April.

Nature

The island of Saint Martin is located in the Caribbean Sea and is part of the Lesser Antilles. Saint Martin is the peak of an ancient underwater volcano, which has a rounded shape. Its coastline is framed by a series of small coral reefs with shallow lagoons.

In general, the topography of Saint Martin is hilly, its highest point being the Peak Paradise mountain.

The island's landscapes are predominantly green, but the soils are dry: palm trees, cacti and hibiscus make up most of the local flora. Although there are several small forests in the central regions. Also on Saint Martin there are more than 30 snow-white beaches with clear water.

The fauna of the island is quite poor and is represented mainly by birds and lizards, as well as wild domestic animals.

Attractions

Despite the fact that Saint Martin is under the control of two different states, their borders are conditional, so tourists can freely explore all the sights of the island.

The only city on the Dutch part of the island is Philipsburg, whose buildings are recognized as classic examples of early colonial architecture.

These are mainly buildings with red and white facades and steep tiled roofs. The city's main attractions include the Queen Wilhelmina Monument, nine small churches and Watney Square. No less interesting are Fort Willem and Fort Amsterdam.

It is also worth visiting the Saint-Martin Museum, which houses ancient finds and a collection of objects from the sunken frigate Proselyte.

Well, the main source of pride for the residents of Philipsburg is the Botanical Garden and a small but very beautiful zoo.

Outside the city you can also find noteworthy places and objects. Highlights include the Cole Bay Hill Lookout Tower and the stunning Dawn Beach.

The French part of the island is less noisy, and its capital, the city of Marigot, is a true example of elegant style. The most popular place in the city is Republic Street with charming buildings that create a romantic atmosphere.

The main historical monument of Marigot is an ancient fortress called Fort Louis, from the walls of which a stunning view of the coast opens.

Among other interesting sites, the most popular are the Saint-Martin Museum of History and Culture, the Rue de la Liberté courthouse, the Lulu Gallery and the cultural and historical museum "In the Footsteps of the Arawaks".

Well, in the vicinity of the city you should definitely see the remains of the sugar plantation La Sucrerier and the picturesque Paradise Peak, as well as visit the typical Creole village of Colombier, the gastronomic capital of the island of Grand Case, the small forest reserve of Loterie Farm and the amazing Butterfly Farm.

Despite the fact that the island is shared by two states, they have one common attraction that symbolizes their peaceful coexistence. It is a Border Monument, which is installed on the top of the small Mount Concordia.

Kitchen

The cuisine of Saint Martin is as interesting as the island itself. It is based on a mixture of European, Creole and Caribbean traditions, and its basis is the seafood that abounds in the surrounding waters. Thus, the most popular and common dishes here are prepared from lobsters, shrimp, lobsters, various shells, sea fish and algae. The most interesting treats of local culinary specialists are charcoal-grilled snapper, boiled shrimp with herbs, fish-coconut soup sopi-di-piska, fish balls croqueshi, wine soup sopi-di-binja and whole fried wahoo.

Among the meat dishes, the most common are pasteshis pies, cabrito-stoba stewed lamb, ayacas meatloaf, cactus and hobi-duchi fish soup, and spicy steak with lemon. Well, the side dishes most often offered are fresh vegetables, green beans, boiled rice and a variety of sauces.

Local desserts are also interesting, such as johnny cakes, pan batis, potato pudding pudin di potato, caramel quesio and cocada lollipops. Wash down all these treats with tea and freshly squeezed juices. Speaking of alcohol, all types of local and imported drinks are available here. The island also produces first-class beers such as Heineken, Balashi and Amstel. However, the main local drink is Guavaberry liqueur, which is made from Caribbean rum, sugar and rare berries that ripen only in August.

Oddly enough, the best restaurants on the island are not in Marigot or Philipsburg, but in the small town of Grand Case, which is recognized as the gastronomic capital of St. Maarten. This is where the best restaurants in Saint Martin are located, offering exquisite French cuisine and the best French wines.

Hotels

The choice of hotels in Saint Martin is simply huge, but during the high season (from December to April) rooms should be booked in advance, as otherwise you may have problems finding accommodation. Also, at the height of the season, one should not be surprised at the rather high prices, since this place is a popular international resort.

Almost all hotels in Saint Martin can boast of impeccable quality of service and excellent living conditions. Moreover, the most luxurious establishments are located not in cities, but outside them on the coast. Such hotels are large complexes with swimming pools, restaurants, spas, etc.

If you wish, you can not check into a hotel, but rent an apartment in one of the capitals (from $1,200 per week) or a villa on the coast (from $3,500 per week).

Entertainment and relaxation

First of all, guests of Saint Martin are offered a stunning selection of active entertainment: windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, diving, boat and sailboat trips, jungle safaris, fishing, horse riding, tennis, golf, picnics in nature or just relaxing on the beach.

The island’s “party” life is also very diverse, as nightclubs and bars begin their lives here closer to night, and there are also casinos on Dutch territory. Moreover, local clubs are so diverse that you can even hear such styles as merengue, jazz and zouk, and in the best restaurants you can hear classic compositions by Frank Sinatra and other famous performers of all times.

The island's snow-white beaches deserve special mention. Among them, the most popular are Great Bay, Long Bay, Anse Marcel, Cupecoy, Maho Beach, Simpson Bay and many others. In total, there are about 40 beaches on the island, many of which are replete with bars, restaurants and souvenir shops. In addition to the beaches, the island has large resort areas with all the infrastructure accompanying a wonderful holiday. On French territory you can find beaches for nudists, among which Orient Bay is considered the most famous.

Another advantage of a holiday in Saint Martin is duty-free shopping in both capitals of the island, which are simply replete with a wide variety of shops and boutiques. Finally, it is recommended to take part in one of the local holidays, for example, the February Carnival.

Purchases

Saint Martin is recognized as one of the most popular shopping destinations in the region. The fact is that both parts of the island are duty-free zones. Thus, there are more than 500 Duty Free stores here, which offer a huge selection of electronics, watches, jewelry, crystal, French perfumes, fashionable clothes, Havana cigars and the best vintage wines.

In Philipsburg, the main place for shopping is Front Street, where there is a huge number of shops and shops that beckon with their bright windows. There are also fashion boutiques with clothes from the world's leading brands. And on Sundays there is a market in Philipsburg, whose traders offer interesting handicrafts.

The French city of Marigot also abounds with many interesting shops, fashion boutiques and luxury jewelry stores offering watches and jewelry from the most prestigious brands. In addition, Marigot has a huge market where you can buy the most unusual tropical fruits, fresh seafood and aromatic spices. They also sell original souvenirs made by local artisans.

Transport

Princess Juliana International Airport is located on the island (on its Dutch part). It should be noted that it is not entirely convenient, since it is located close to the beach, as a result of which planes often fly literally right over the heads of vacationers.

Traffic in Saint Martin is on the right, the roads are quite narrow, and sometimes not of very good quality.

Public transport on both halves of the island consists of taxis and buses. Minivans are used as buses, which, regardless of borders, can get you to any part of the island for a very small fee. However, the border between Dutch and French territories is rather arbitrary. Well, by taxi you can travel around the entire island for just $25. This relatively low price is not due to low tariffs, but to the very small size of Saint Martin. In addition, most local taxi drivers are happy to provide their services as a guide (about $50 per hour).

You can rent any car from one of the international companies, of which there are quite a lot here. Also, if desired, it is possible to rent a yacht, scooter, motorcycle, ATV or scooter.

Connection

The island has a high-quality and well-developed communication system. Telephone machines from which you can make international calls are installed in all populated areas and in all public places. All machines operate from several types of calling cards. The most common cards are CaribTel, which fit almost all phones. Such cards are sold in post offices, supermarkets, newsstands and telephone company offices. Also, any call can be made from a post office or from a hotel, but in the latter case the cost of an international call will be much more expensive. Please note that calls between the French and Dutch parts of Saint Martin are considered international.

Cellular communication in Saint Martin operates in the GSM 900/1800 standard, it is of good quality and covers the entire island. The international roaming service is available to all subscribers of major Russian operators.

Internet access is provided in an Internet cafe; the cost of a session depends on the connection speed and averages $5–10 per hour.

Safety

In general, Saint Martin has a fairly low crime rate, but pickpocketing does occur here.

For this reason, all generally accepted safety rules should be observed, especially for beaches, airports and public places. Theft from cars is also common on the island.

No special vaccinations are required to travel to Saint Martin. Vaccination against polio, typhus and hepatitis is recommended, although there are no natural foci for the spread of these diseases.

City tap water is purified and safe for consumption, but it is advisable to drink bottled water during the first days of your stay.

Business

The advantage of Saint Martin is its economic security and stability, as well as the fact that the entire island is a duty-free zone. The economy of both parts of the island as a whole depends on the tourism business, so considerable funds are invested in infrastructure development.

Real estate

The island of Saint Martin offers a wide selection of different real estate, which is intended for both personal use and for organizing a business. Moreover, here it can be owned not only by local residents, but also by foreign citizens.

On Dutch territory there are no restrictions on the purchase of real estate by non-residents of the country, and to complete the transaction it is enough to present a passport. The transfer of ownership of any real estate is carried out through a professional notary. This applies to both the French and Dutch parts of the island.

The most prestigious and expensive real estate on the island are the luxurious villas on the coast. The cost of such objects starts from $750,000 and can reach up to $3,000,000. Typically the price depends on the location and size of the villa.

It is this area that is the main source of income for the French territory. And the Dutch part of Saint Martin is an offshore zone where a large number of different foreign companies are registered. There is also no tax on any real estate and income from its sale.

Customs restrictions

The amount of exported and imported currency is not limited in any way, but the amount of more than 7,000 € must be declared.

Duty-free import of 1 liter of strong alcohol (over 22°), up to 200 cigarettes, 100 grams of any tea, 500 grams of natural coffee and 50 milliliters of perfume is allowed.

The import and export of items of historical value, psychotropic substances, drugs, ammunition and weapons, endangered plants and animals is prohibited. The import of plants, animals, any animal products and vegetables from Haiti, as well as silver items and coins from Suriname and Holland are prohibited.

Visa

Citizens of the Russian Federation to travel to Saint Martin need a visa, which can be obtained from the embassies of France or the Kingdom of the Netherlands (depending on which country the hotel is located in).

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is located in Moscow at the address: per. Kalashny, 6. You can also contact the Consulate General in St. Petersburg: Moika embankment, 11. However, a visa issued for visiting Saint Martin does not give the right to visit the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and holders of Schengen visas for travel You must apply for a separate visa for Saint Martin.

The French Embassy in Moscow is located at: st. Bolshaya Yakimanka, 45. The Consulate General is located in St. Petersburg at the address: emb. Moiki, 15. A visa issued for a trip to Saint-Martin does not give the right to stay in France and the Schengen countries.

End of the story about St. Maarten:

Far, far away, almost ten thousand kilometers away, winter was beginning. Nature diligently and hardworkingly painted everything around in two colors - gray and white, which she clearly had in abundance.

Where I was, everything was different. The bright sun shone from the bluest skies, the wind brought the desired coolness, an incredible turquoise-colored wave promised a wonderful vacation, and in the distance, barely discernible, music could be heard - reckless, cheerful, bright, like the nature around. Although, it may well be that the music sounded in the shower, and not from the shore...

8

3

The ship lazily approached the island, which stood out as a velvety green on the blue surface of the Caribbean Sea. Here they knew nothing about snow, ice was seen only in a cocktail glass, and frost was such an abstract concept that no one ever thought about it...

It was Saint Martin…

Perhaps this island can safely be awarded the title of the most unusual Caribbean island and there are many reasons for this. Usually they say about Saint Martin that this is the same island where planes land almost on the heads of vacationers on the beach. And if they don’t remember the name of the island right away, then everyone has seen the picture circulated on the Internet. This is certainly an attraction. But I also saw another Saint-Martin and I’ll try to tell you about everything now...

2

The honor of discovering the island belongs to the restless Columbus and it happened at the very end of the 15th century. What the Spaniards, spoiled by Columbus’s discoveries, didn’t like on the island is a big mystery to me, but the fact remains that they were not interested in the island.

And the French noticed the island, as did the Dutch. A struggle ensued for ownership of the island, not that bloody, but still. Friendship won! Well, almost friendship and the French got 60% of the territory, and the Dutch - 40%. The Saint-Martins looked at all this and united their land, in the meantime shooing away the Spaniards who had come to their senses from the island. That's the whole history of the island, if we retell it as briefly as possible...

— About borders.

Walking around Saint Martin, you can easily end up in France or Holland - choose what you like best. A stern border guard will not stop you at the border, will not ask for documents, and the residents themselves cross the conventional line dividing the island a hundred times a day and do not even notice it. The thing is that Saint-Martin is divided between France (Overseas Community of France), which got the northern part, and the Netherlands (an independent state with autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands), which got the south.

The island was divided back in 1648, the matter was resolved peacefully, without wars and enmity of peoples, and the agreement is in force to this day.

True, there are still borders in the form of symbolic pillars with waving flags. The names of the island vary: Saint Martin (Saint Martin) is written by the French, but Sint Maarten (Sint Maarten) is written by the Dutch.

1

On the French side, at the top of the very modest Mount Concordia, there is a Border Monument - a symbol of the peaceful existence of two states on one small island, between which there were no wars or conflicts. Everyone should live like this!!!

1

It is in Saint Martin that the shortest bridge between the two states is officially registered. I learned about this fact on the island, because the natives are very proud of it and tell everyone about it.

When getting a visa to the island, you just need to calculate which side you will spend more nights on or where your hotel will be located - you need to contact the visa department of that country. However, those who enter the island on a cruise ship do not need a visa. I asked about visas out of pure curiosity, and there is no such thing as too much knowledge...

The border is popular only with tourists; the flow of people wanting to take pictures dries up only with the departure of the ship, only to form again the next morning.

- Philipsburg.

The capital of the southern part of the island is Philipsburg, where our ship moored. In addition to its capital status, the city (the only one on the Dutch side) is also a huge port (on an island scale, of course), where ships call daily. The port can accommodate a maximum of seven large cruise ships at the same time. I counted six and it was a great sight!

11

8

Philipsburg was created and developed for the delight of tourists. There are a lot of duty-free shops here, a casino, souvenir shops, an absolutely incredible number of shops with jewelry and watches, and of course, rum. Rum is everywhere in the Caribbean. The American dollar is in use here (everyone somehow forgot about guilders and stopped remembering) and you need to go to Saint Martin with dollars, it’s the most convenient. English is the native language here, the population is from Africa, descendants of those same unfortunate slaves who gave their descendants a completely happy life.

Philipsburg's buildings are recognized as classic examples of colonial architecture - tiled roofs, bright facades, mostly red and white. There are several churches in the city, the obligatory monument in the square, an island museum, a botanical garden and a small zoo. If I had a little more time, I would not fail to visit the botanical garden, but alas, it was not possible to find an hour or two for it...

There are also two forts on the Dutch side (one of them bears the proud name of Amsterdam, which is why I remember it), an observation tower and, of course, beaches.

If I were on holiday in Saint-Martin, I would climb around the city, studying it in detail!

- Marigot.

The French part of the island has its own capital - Marigot.

3

7

The language preferred here is French, money is euros (however, dollars are not neglected either, the main thing is to first find out what exchange rate they are at, sometimes the situation is not the most pleasant).

Marigot is graceful, like a true Frenchman, a little careless and much calmer than his noisy Dutch brother. The main street is named after the Republic and, as far as I have noticed, it is very beautiful.

The main attraction of Marigot is Fort Louis, over which the French flag flies. You can climb up to the fort and admire the views. But for this you need to have a good amount of time, so we had to choose between climbing the fort and the entire island. It’s not hard to guess who won this dispute...

In addition to the fort, there are a couple of museums, a gallery and the city itself, which is well worth spending time on.

Here, not far from Marigot, is the main miracle of Saint-Martin.

- Butterfly farm.

13

14

For me, butterflies have become the main miracle and the main attraction of the island. Gentle, graceful creatures surrounded us as soon as we stepped off the ship’s ramp. They fluttered, circled, fell and took off again, either caught by the wind, or from the liveliness of their character. They hovered around us like an honorary escort, encircling us and escorting us around the entire island. In order to photograph the beauty of Saint-Martin, we first had to try to disperse the butterflies, which did not want to fly off the camera lens. Butterflies were everywhere: they fluttered in front of the car, they clung to the ship and the ropes holding it near the shore, they boldly sat on the top of the head or an outstretched hand... Saint-Martin is the island of butterflies and no one will convince me otherwise!

It was the butterflies that made us look differently at our plan for exploring the island. Butterflies eclipsed Maho Beach with planes landing on it, changed our plans and brought incredible pleasure, allowing us to admire their dances and the beauty of their delicate wings. I brought home a record number of photographs of butterflies, rivaled only by the iguanas of St. Thomas...

Do you love butterflies? Then head to Saint Martin!

- About nature.

7

2

The island is part of the Lesser Antilles and is the top of an underwater volcano, ancient enough that you can live without worrying too much about your future. Around the island are coral reefs and shallow lagoons. The island is not flat; there is even a highest point - Paradise Peak. This means that it rains there, preventing plants from dying under the hot sun.

The plants are not overwhelming in variety - palm trees, cacti, and sometimes hibiscus. Well, what people cultivate to decorate the areas around hotels.

But the animals in Saint Martin are very bad - iguanas, herons, pelicans. There are no wild or scary animals in sight!

— About souvenirs and shopping.

Saint Martin is a duty-free island; this rule applies on both the French and Dutch sides of the island. They say that the number of duty-free stores has exceeded half a thousand! They sell expensive and high-quality cigars and wines, jewelry masterpieces, watches of famous brands, branded clothing, electronics, and perfumes. There are always a lot of people in such shops, it seems that after getting off the ship, tourists rush into the open doors of the shops, completing their acquaintance with the island. In Philipsburg, all this is located on Front Street - the city's most shopping street. There are also souvenirs here, but the price for them is slightly higher than in French Marigot.

Therefore, if you need to buy souvenirs, then you need to do it in Marigot, where there is a huge market with souvenir crafts and all sorts of things.

3

2

Local specialties include only a variety of sauces, cinnamon, vanilla and spices. This is perhaps the most expensive product. But you still have to bargain, the locals really love this method of entertainment. That’s why they give in very reluctantly, and when they buy without bargaining, they are openly offended, of course they were deprived of such entertainment! The remaining souvenirs will be repeated on each new island. The theme of piracy is played out to the smallest detail and for lovers of pirate symbols this is a real paradise. Anything that can be glued, stenciled, pinned or painted with a Jolly Roger and Jolly Pirate flag will be decorated with a black flag and the word "Caribbean".

3

1

Here you can buy local fruits and seafood, if you really need them, of course...

The sellers here have a Caribbean temperament, with a share (and no small amount) of French expression, so you won’t be bored. They just don’t like to be photographed! At best, they will turn away, at worst... Well, it’s better not to let things get worse, they don’t just threaten with their fists, you understand...

The difference between French territory and Dutch territory is noticeable to the naked eye and very noticeable once you start studying the details. Even electricity is clearly divided into European voltage in the French part and American voltage in the Dutch part. However, the children chatter merrily in French, Dutch, and English, not forgetting the local dialects. They grow up polyglots and may well consider themselves people of the world - with such a stock of languages, you can come to an agreement with the whole world without even thinking about language barriers...

- About the holidays.

Saint Martin has a birthday - on November 11, the island is decorated with flags and unbridled fun begins. The holiday is timed to coincide with the Day of St. Martin, who is the heavenly patron, in honor of which the island received its name. We didn’t get to the apotheosis of fun (maybe it’s good that it happened that way...), but we saw echoes of fun, in the form of stretched flags here and there, everywhere. In general, the flags prompted the question of why they are stretched along all the streets.

2

In February, a cheerful carnival takes place in Saint-Martin, but, alas, I was not lucky enough to take part in this bright and cheerful holiday, so there is nothing to tell about it.

— About the safety of Saint-Martin.

Everything seems simple here, although... Somehow it is customary to say that these islands are unsafe and anything can happen. Where it came from - I don’t know, but! It’s probably worth not neglecting generally accepted security measures - don’t poke your nose where they’re not asked and don’t look for adventures on you-know-what. The natives do not live well, this is already noticeable. People come to the islands with money, and often a lot of it, it’s also not difficult to guess. I fully admit that from time to time there is a desire to take something that is not lying well or just runs into your hands. Well, don’t misbehave and don’t walk through dark alleys, don’t wake up recklessly!

In general, the population is very friendly, responsive and not even the laziest (I realized this fact towards the end of the cruise). Sellers will not grab your hand so that you buy something from them (probably they are just lazy to make unnecessary movements, which also do not guarantee results), I have not met any beggars at all, or very degraded individuals either (although, maybe they just don’t go to the slums came in).

Everyone on the ship was warned to be afraid, wary, tremble and generally... Well, I don’t know! Some gentle American tourist, I never found any reason to be in awe of the people of St. Maarten, they are cool there, cheerful, tanned and friendly! Although tanning is an inheritance from African ancestors...

For those who go on vacation to the island, I will especially inform you that all hotel areas are guarded, like a bunker with the country’s gold reserves - no flea will get through! Although tourists are still intimidated so that they are wary, I think they are simply playing it safe.

- About the weather.

The island has four distinct seasons: summer, summer, summer and summer again - the islanders like to joke there if you ask about the high season. And they add that the Caribbean coast is quiet and calm, completely devoid of hurricanes and other elements, even the waves there are gentle and gentle. Well, Atlantica is a girl with character and hurricanes are frequent guests there. Well, maybe not very often, but very angry. And they will show the consequences of one of these hurricanes named Louis. The rusty ship is quietly living out its sad life where the meeting with the elements took place...

8

The highest season is from mid-December to April, with most rain in September and November. But whenever you arrive on the island, summer weather and warm sea are guaranteed!

— The main attraction of the island.

3

4

Saint Martin has Princess Juliana International Airport, one of the ten most dangerous airports in the world. It is located on the Dutch territory of the island and would be no different from its island brethren, if not for one thing that brought it fame. The fact is that its runway is too short and starts almost from Maho Beach, and ends at the very end of the Simpson Bay lagoon.

For several years now, looking at photos from the spotter website airliners.net, I have been dreaming of getting to this interesting island. And now the dream is coming true. Saint Martin's Island has been conquered. It is worth noting, unfortunately, that the ship’s stay was half as long as usual and we only managed to visit a couple of places, but the main goal of Maho Beach was achieved)

So, briefly about the island. Like most Caribbean islands, it was previously inhabited by the Arawak Indians, who were displaced by the Caribbean. And then the Europeans appeared here, Columbus was the first to see the island in 1493, but did not go ashore. St. Martin Island, with an area of ​​37 square miles, is the smallest landmass in the world, divided between two governments. Its dual owners are France and Holland. The island has two capitals, or administrative centers. This is Marigot, the administrative center of the French side, and the city of Philipsburg, the capital of the part of the island belonging to the Netherlands.
French territory occupies approximately two-thirds of the island, and is considered a European territory and community. The Dutch side belongs to the Netherlands Antilles, and is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and is not considered a European territory. On St. Martin, there are no real boundaries, just modest monuments and signs. The island is known for its exotic nature, almost ideal for holidays. The island also impresses its visitors with its beaches and nightlife, and the shops and restaurants of St. Martin are the best in the Caribbean.
St. Martin is rich in beaches, there are 37 of them on the island, all of which are open to the general public. The island has something for everyone. And for lovers of scuba diving, and those who like to travel on a yacht and those who just like to sunbathe. But you need to remember that the rays of the Caribbean sun really burn the skin of the body, and therefore, without sunscreen, doctors on the island strongly do not recommend sunbathing. Also, if you are going to the island of St. Martin to relax with children, then you need to carefully choose a beach, Considering that some beaches on the island are nudist. One of these official beaches is Cupecoy Beach, located on the Dutch side of St. Martin. On the Dutch side, there are beautiful, long beaches with golden sand and green mountains, where you can sunbathe, play ball or Frisbee.
And finally, the main attraction of modern St. Martin is Princess Juliana Airport - one of the largest transport hubs in the Caribbean region. It is among the ten most dangerous airports in the world. Located on the island of St. Martin. During the Second World War, an airfield was built on the island, which is now Princess Juliana International Airport. Takeoff/landing is of medium or high difficulty for the pilot, depending on weather conditions. The end of the airport runway is located directly on the seashore, close to Maho beach, so that when approaching aircraft, they fly at an altitude of 10-20 meters above the heads of tourists relaxing on the beach beyond the end of the runway. The place is known as "Spotter's Paradise".

So go ahead!
There are already guests at the port)

And the color of the water at the piers is very pleasing)

The hills are in perfect harmony with the bay)

Other guests were lucky; they arrived much earlier.

There is also a cargo port nearby.

I like the names on the containers)

Luminosa)

Nearby is the German Aida Vita

Funny windmills

Port of Philipsburg - shopping arcades and cafes.

Some local celebrity

Watches, gold, clothes)

Well, a cafe)

Everything is very cozy and clean)

One-legged statues all over the Caribbean)

And from afar it looks like Peter the Great.

And there are the same ones)

It would be stupid to walk around Philipsburg, taking into account the short parking, especially since there is only shopping there, like everywhere else. Therefore, we immediately head to Maho Beach)

Past the next masterpieces of local sculptors)

On the left is essentially a street selling clothes and other crap)

And again sculptures

Interesting house)

Detour along the mountain along the sea)

A little sad)

Noticed another masterpiece)

Mountain)

But the resort area appeared)

In the hellish heat and uphill, on a bike... only black guys can ride normally))

Paths without potholes)

An incomprehensible sculpture, like a traffic controller or something?

There are auto centers and services on the island)

Some houses are shabby)

In the intense heat you won't be able to walk around much in the town...you'll get hot...

And some houses are even very normal)

Bars - yes, there are!

Shopping center with computers

Line of small hotels)

Getting closer to the airport)

And there are more and more bars)

A bridge across the strait, where yachts apparently pass into the harbor at night

There are no problems with hotels)

Already detouring the airport runway

Well, actually, here it is, behind the fence is Princess Juliana Airport)

And it itself is not very big, two-story.

The first small plane is in a hurry to land)

At the exit from the airport)

Fly))

Well, that’s actually Maho Beach)) 90% of the visitors to this beach came here from all over the world, no - not to sunbathe and swim. they came here to see how planes land 10-20 meters above their heads, and spotters dream of filming airliners here and immediately posting their photos online)

Those who still decide to swim prefer to do it away from the shore, since the waves here are not the kindest)

There are several large bars near the beach, the most famous being Sunset. Here on the menu the names of the dishes are like the names of airline companies, in this bar you can pass the time well - eat pizza, drink rum punch or beer, hide from the hellishly scorching sun)

Nice landscape nearby)

So everyone got ready!

Coming!

Very close!

American Airlines first Boeing 757)

And off to board!

Next to the bar is a surfboard with daily plane landing schedules on it.
Of course, everyone is interested when big planes land)

But there are also little ones)

For every taste)

When the plane takes off, all the power of the engines in the form of an air wave hits the beach, and the whole crowd, head over heels with a cloud of sand, flies into the water, and you can even die)

Airplanes are visible at the airport)

We move to the bar)

Menu)

Another one is flying)

This is another American) United)

And another one like that)

Small thing)

US AIRWAYS

The people got fried in the heat and began to move out to sea)

A very nice Caribbean Airlines rotorcraft.)

There are always a lot of kids)

Latrine)

Board - schedule)

One of hundreds of spotters)

Small but reactive)

“And I caught such a plane in the frame”)

Little ones of all stripes, except that corn farmers don’t sit here)

Oh yes... this board has seen a lot)

Another AA

American Delta

AA, take off...

Very shiny body)

And here I miscalculated a little, I wanted to photograph the giant A340 AIR FRANCE closer, but it so happened that it didn’t fit into the frame entirely, alas, and it couldn’t wait))

My dream is to fly on the A340.

Landing)

Small - safe)

It's time to get back to the ship

Past the airport)

Delta went to the USA

Past the yacht club)

Yacht Fan Hotels

Nice bars)

Again past the dull territory)

There are no hotels here yet, but they will be there)

Philipsburg appeared

Bay and city beach)

Oddly enough, there aren’t many people who like to swim...it’s probably quite hot...

Another idiot - sculpture)

City street)

Architecture

Cafes and bars are also available)

And even Apple

There are these fountains near the piers)

Well, not cheap yachts)

The ships are waiting)

Well, it’s a sin not to buy local rum and ice cream with rum, and try it)

They serve ice cream with rum in an icy state - it’s not easy to eat))

There is another sculpture in the port)

And these are the things)

Last landing on Luminosa)

Aida is sailing)

This is such a nice German airliner)

Time to shoot the last sunset from the Costa Luminosa liner)

Sunsets in the Caribbean are very beautiful

The liner leaves St. Martin

And heads for the Dominican Republic

And Aida goes on her own course)

We must see the sun below the horizon!

In the evening, of course, you need to go to the theater and watch a show)

That's how the Caribbean cruise ended. But there are still many interesting countries where you can visit)
There will be a post with video stories and a short report about the Dominican Republic ahead.