12-11-2010 – St. Maarten
I was up before we arrived at the dock and got a few pictures of the boat coming in. Parked next to a big sailing ship/cruise ship.
The Sailing ship/cruise ship on the dock next to ours”]
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Coming in to St Martin (Maarten).”]
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Today we had a tour set up to, but when we got to the dock no one was waiting. Once they showed up we found out that the water was not clear and we would not be able to see anything in the semi-sub so they had cancelled that part and offered to give us an island tour anyway and some of our money back. We decided to go ahead and take the tour as it would go all the way around the island. We boarded the bus and headed through the town and then on to the French capital of Marigot. This was on the tour route
Saltpond in the middle of town – The island had good salt beds when found.”
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On the road looking back at the port and Philippesburg the Dutch side capital.
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A finger that jets out and a Dutch fort on the end – resort in-between”]
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The line between the Dutch and French marked with flags.”]
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Once in Marigot we were allowed an hour of shopping – we got a few items there then back on the bus for the remainder of the tour which went on the north side of the island then back into Philipsburg the capital of the Dutch side. We got out and did some more shopping as the appears to be the main influence of this island. We found a few things and got a few pictures of the shopping area near the doc.
Shopping in Marigot – it was cheaper but the temps were hot.”]
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“The tourist shops of Marigot”]
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“The fort on the hill above Marigot – Ft. St. Louis”]
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“A better view of the Fort St. Louis at Marigot”]
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On the French side this is the area – beach that only requires you “birthday suite” and a credit card”
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“Back in Philipsburg shopping on Front Street”]
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“More shops on Front Street in Philipsburg”]
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“Had to find the Belgian Chocolate place.”]
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Shops on the Boardwalk. – we didn’t get too far here.”]
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We were pretty drug out so we went back to the ship on the water-taxi and had a late lunch and a nap.
We gathered up and went to dinner and had another really good meal with another show by the wait staff on the dinning room.
Our final serenade from the wait staff on the last night.”]
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After all this we set with the grand-son for a little while – rather he sat with us while he played a game and we tried to get out stuff packed to get off. Amazing how you can get it all in when you come and can’t get it in when you want to leave?
Oh well, we will be in San Juan tomorrow and spend the day before we make the flight home.