Sint Maarten’s Dutch Inspired Paradise

Sint Maarten, pronounced “Sin-Maarten,” is a Dutch territory and country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Located in the Caribbean, it covers 13 square miles and is the southern 44% of the divided island of Saint Martin. Saint Martin, the northern 56% of the island, constitutes a French overseas collective or region. Collectively, Sint Maarten and the other Dutch islands in the Caribbean are often referred to as the Dutch Caribbean. The country has a tropical savanna climate and is dryer than most parts of the Caribbean, with land that is generally hilly and includes 10 smaller surrounding islands.

Historically, the island has been inhabited by indigenous peoples of the Americas for centuries with the island becoming of interest to European powers like France, Britain and Netherlands in the 17th century. Over time, the French and Dutch began to import large numbers of African slaves to work the new cotton, tobacco and sugarcane plantations, who eventually outnumbered the Europeans. In 1848, the French abolished slavery but the island’s economy suffered until it was declared a duty-free port in 1939. From there, tourism grew rapidly along with the island’s population. Today, Sint Maarten is known for its countless beaches (holds the world record compared to size), its melting pot of cultures and restaurants (over 100 nationalities) and its claim to delicious salt, piracy and rum production.

With a few weeks island hopping in the Caribbean, Sint Maarten and its Dutch inspired paradise was my first stop. As one island, two nations, it was easy enough to head north to the French side of coconut island, Saint Martin. Next, I flew south to Dominica, an island filled with dense jungle, stunning waterfalls, steamy hot springs and gorgeous gorges with a trip north of its capital city to Pirates of the Caribbean’s Indian River. And my last stop on this sun soaked adventure was the island of Antigua for its gorgeous white sand beaches, tortoise sanctuaries and stingray swims.

Favorite places to visit in Sint Maarten

Contents

• Grab Tacos & Set Your Eyes on Mullet Bay Beach

• Catch Flight at Maho Beach

• Stroll Along Philipsburg's Boardwalk

• Lunch on Conch Curry & Swim at Great Bay Beach

• Zoom Down the Flying Dutchman

• Get Wild at Parotte Ville Bird Park

• Enjoy Local Red Snapper

• Indulge on Fresh Lobster

Grab Tacos & Set Your Eyes on Mullet Bay Beach

On a Thursday evening at 1 a.m. I flew out of LAX, with a four hour layover in ATL, and another three and a half hours to SXM, Princess Julianna International Airport with Delta. The airport’s immigration lines were lengthy but super quick. Outside, the temperature was shocking and reached over 90°F, with the feel at 107°F. I grabbed a taxi to my AirBnb about 10 minutes away for $15 USD; the taxi driver wouldn’t go any lower and said the island has specific prices for each zone. Reaching my second level apartment located in a gated community was a relief. It was modest but cute, with a small living area, kitchen, bath and bed upstairs in a loft. Overwhelmed by the heat and exhausted and hungry, I showered and stepped out for tacos at La Chingona Taqueria SXM just a few minutes away on foot.

With only a small window opening up onto an outdoor patio, the gentleman inside was kind, recommending the shrimp, chicken and pork tacos and a deep red hibiscus juice. Packed neatly and rolled up tight with tin foil the tacos hit the spot; the shrimp by far the best.

Already nearly evening, the sun began to set and I thought it would be nice to catch some views at the nearest beach just a few more minutes down the road in the western area of Cupecoy, just past the local university.

Approaching Mullet Bay Beach for the first time was breathtaking. Shaped as a semi-circle, the beach wraps the edge of a grassy area and nearby golf course. Deep green foliage surrounded the beaches sandy shore.

There were only a handful of visitors at the beach which gave it a real quiet and remote feeling. The few there were swimming in the shallow waters and enjoying the warm weather. At the southern end, sea grape trees provided shade for those sensitive to the sun's rays and heat.

Mullet Bay Beach is also known as a sea turtle nesting beach where it’s illegal to kill, wound, capture or even pick up sea turtles. It’s also not allowed to directly or indirectly disturb their environment resulting in any kind of threat to the turtles. Sint Maarten is home to four endangered sea turtle species that help keep coral reefs and seagrass healthy, which helps to support the ecosystems that all marine life rely on. Green, Leatherback and Hawksbill sea turtles typically nest on the beaches during the months of April through December, so keep your eyes peeled if you’re visiting during those months.

The beaches warm water and soft sand made it a true paradise and ultimately my favorite beach on the island. The beach is a popular one with locals, especially on the weekends, as well as with the students at the nearby medical university.

Looking for another vantage point, I found a worn path in the grassy area. Following its trail, led me high above the beach, overlooking the entire ocean.

The outlook above the ocean was gorgeous and offered views of the golden sunset reaching the bay and the hills beyond.

Peering straight out into the ocean, the waters were a deep navy spotted with turquoise set against a rocky shoreline and steep cliffs.

As the sun began to set, the sky changed quickly, especially as the puffy clouds danced across the sky like balloon animals.

Soon enough, the bay was covered in shade as the sun dipped below the horizon, yet, people continued to play in the warm ocean water below.

Eventually, I made my way back down the cliff and through the brush to enjoy the remainder of the sunset on flat ground.

Resting in the soft white sand, I wiggled my toes as the final day’s light peaked from behind the cliff I had just climbed. I had arrived and it felt great to stop moving for a few minutes.

And just like that, the sun was gone. The sky turned deeper shades of blue and gold and glistened off the waves as they reached the shore and disappeared into the sand.

A tiny sailboat off in the distance sailed into the sunset, disappearing into the shadows.

That evening, I walked over to a local Thai restaurant called Tao Garden. The interior was very cute, somehow both French and Thai inspired. Service was great and the food, tasty, but not as traditional as I’d expected.

My choice was a green curry with beef, though the beef was small and chewy, along with mango sticky rice for dessert. All in all, it was a bit pricey but a lovely experience.

Catch Flight at Maho Beach

In the morning, I was off to find food, one of my favorite activities. Because I hadn’t quite figured out the bus system yet and would later realize my stay was a bit out of the way and some busses don’t run on Sunday’s, I stepped out into the heat and walked the 25 minutes into Maho. Not a bad walk, along a paved road, but the heat was incredibly intense.

Maho is a small town lined on both sides of the street with shops and hotels, many of which appeared to be closed. A few restaurants were sprinkled among the shopping center but I continued to the edge of town until I reached Maho Beach and Tortuga Maho for breakfast.

Outside on a sunny patio, I took a seat at a table overlooking the narrow strip of white sand and clear water of Maho Beach. It was the perfect view to enjoy breakfast.

And it felt so good to rest after such a long walk in the heat. The palm tress overhead swayed in the wind, allowing the sunlight to peak through their fronds here and there and the waves below crashed softly, almost gurgling. I’d also heard this was the beach where visitors come to watch airplanes land at the local airport but wasn’t quite sure where to plant myself to witness such a sight.

Either way, priority number one was getting a meal into my stomach. I went with the Tortuga Sunrise: two eggs over medium, bacon, sausage, home fries and pineapple with a lemonade and latte for $19 USD. Everything on my plate was tasty but lacked that extra oomph.

A quick note on currency, the Antillean guilder or florin is the official currency in St. Maarten, which is divided into 100 cents. U.S. dollars are also accepted at the majority of businesses on the Dutch side of the island but on the French side, the euro is the official currency.

Just as I was finishing up my meal, I was lucky enough to witness one of the airplanes landing within feet of the beach. Springing into action, I jumped up quickly and began shooting once I realized the tiny dot in the sky was headed my way.

Closer and closer the plane got, just feet above the ocean and beach, until it crossed over the road and landed on the runway across the street. Later on, I’d see a small strip just under the plane where dozens of tourists would gather to witness the experience.

Covered in sweat from the smothering heat, I paid my check and climbed down to the beach, jumping into the ocean to cool down. The beach was wonderful, a tiny bit better than the last due to softer sand and warmer water, though it was quite small. The weather was hot and sunny and quiet and calm. The water was like bath water, warm and clear and I even saw a few fish swimming just below the surface. The powerful water would swell in and out, smooth and strong, swirling about. Catching some sun in the sand, I dried off and was on my way. I think I could get used to this.

Stroll Along Philipsburg's Boardwalk

Philipsburg, the Dutch capital of Sint Maarten stretches for two miles along a gorgeous boardwalk and Great Bay Beach. Known for its upscale boutiques and Dutch inspired shops, the area is vibrant, even after recovering from Hurricane Irma in 2017. An active area for shopping, drinking, dining and even gambling at Casino Rouge et Noir, the area hosts thousands of cruise ship guests on the regular.

Hailing a taxi from breakfast, I agreed upon $20 USD and traveled east to Philipsburg, which the driver seemed bothered by the distance even though it was only 15 minutes. My driver was also happy to offer that the island has been shaped by African, Dutch, Caribbean and French influences, with English primarily spoken on the southern side and French on the north.

We entered the capital on a thin one lane street, often blocked by others hopping in or out of vehicles, moving as if they had all the time in the world. Noticeably, many of the shops were closed due to low season (hurricane season as I’d later find out), but it was time to explore.

My first stop was the Guavaberry Emporium, which sadly has been permanently closed. As with the island itself, having such a history, so does the guavaberry. Guavaberry is the legendary folk liquor of Sint Maarten and Saint Martin. It was first made centuries ago in private homes where people only made what they needed for themselves. Over time, it became an integral part of local culture and tradition and became the national liquor.

A cherished symbol of the past, folk songs and stories carry on the traditions. The liquor is made from fine oak aged rum, cane sugar and wild Sint Maarten guavaberries and has a unique woody, fruity, spicy, bitter-sweet flavor. The fruit is rare and can only be found in the warm hills located at the center of the island.

Guavaberries blossom with tiny delicate pink and white flowers, while the berries are a pale green when unripe. Upon ripening, about half the trees bear bright orange colored fruits while the other half are a dark red black color. With a slight difference in taste between the two, the berries are juicy, pungent and bitter sweet, and often considered a curiosity by botanists.

To the native Sint Maartener, guaveberry conjures up warm and treasured memories of the past. It’s an integral part and distinguishing feature of local culture, heritage and tradition and a point of pride for locals. And though the Guaveberry Emporium has closed, the liquor is common and can be found at shops throughout the island.

Moving on, I walked up and down the boardwalk, as well as Front Street and Back Street. Mainly spending my time along Front Street, there were countless fancy stores, French supermarkets, Dutch boutiques, jewelry shops and sweet treats.

Peaking through one of the alleys, I emerged near the water’s edge and picked up some cherry ice cream at Gelateria Milano. Slurping up as quickly as possible, I nearly missed its flavor.

The shops portal was one of my favorites, overflowing with green plant life and filtered light, giving a much needed break from the overwhelming heat and relief from the dusty dry streets.

Back on Front Street, there were a few noticeable landmarks like the local courthouse which is still in use today. Note, the cute little pineapple atop this historical Dutch building.

There was also a beautiful art walk titled, Philipsburg Mural Walk. The mural walk is a self guided walking tour to see how many colorful murals one can spot. A mural project by St. Maarten’s BeTheChange Foundation, ColorMeSXM brings together artists and the bare fronts and sides of buildings in the capital city to display grand gestures of art and design.

The bright colors and playful patterns brought a sense of energy to the streets. A few of my favorite murals were marked with plaques naming the artists like @jolie_duzon and @fielefenio.

Even some of the locals oozed with character and energy and were full of passion and spirit, like this gentleman.

He called out to me, so excited to have his photo taken; I couldn’t resist his request.

Lunch on Conch Curry & Swim at Great Bay Beach

After working up an appetite, I sat for lunch at a colorful cafe just off the boardwalk and alongside the beach called Lay Back Bar & Grill. Staff was sweet and put forth recommendations after I asked what’s best, as I often do. It had a chill vibe, playing hip hop music with songs by Akon and staff looked as if they were on holiday, just like me.

As recommended, I ordered the conch in a curry garlic sauce with mixed rice and beans and coleslaw. To drink, a mojito served with local rum and fresh mint.

The meal was delicious, especially the conch as it was cooked perfectly, tender and soft. The creamy curry sauce was also special but the cocktail felt too strong for my midday break.

Along the boardwalk sits Great Bay Beach, one that stretches along the southern coastline for nearly two miles. This area is a lively one, filled with restaurants, hotels, bars, shops and casinos that attract tourists and locals alike. It’s the perfect area for a stroll or a family day spent in the sun. It’s also possible to see huge cruise ships passing through the deep waters of Pointe Blanche.

As the sun set, I went for a quick swim but the waters were not quite as nice as those of Mullet Bay Beach and Maho Beach. The water was not as clear and had some moss at the bottom, though the white sand was soft as ever.

Sunbathing didn’t last too long as it started to rain a bit, so I pulled my things together and walked toward the pier to people watch.

The views of Great Bay were so gorgeous, I could barely take my eyes off the shimmering waters and the pillowy white clouds stretched across the sky.

Even with the skies sprinkling down, the pier continued to be littered with children playing games in the water, though most adults had scattered. The kids would run one by one down the pier and jump off the side, splashing as much as possible, returning back to shore only to do it all over again.

They were cute and many shy but a few of the boys might have been showing off a bit, climbing onto one another’s backs and tipping slowly off the edge of the pier glued together.

Wandering down the beach, I learned about the moss I’d seen in the shallow waters. The Caribbean seagrass meadows are dark patches that can be seen just below the water. It’s possible to snorkel among the meadows and see diverse wildlife along with an ecosystem that helps create the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean.

Sea life like turtles, fish, lobsters, conch and urchins live within the seagrass meadows, eating leaves and sheltering from the dangerous waves.

Calcifying algae, seaweed with a hard shell, grows in the meadows and it’s their shells that break apart to become the soft white sand. Seagrass meadows also trap particles and dampen waves, improving the water quality for coral and protecting the beach from erosion.

Zoom Down the Flying Dutchman

Previously purchasing tickets online for the world’s steepest zip line, the Flying Dutchman, I had no idea what was in store for me. Feeling motivated, I finally worked out the bus system in town and thank God, because taxis were adding up quickly. The first step is to locate a bus stop, which aren’t always marked clearly, then hail a bus as it passes by, making sure the little sign in the front window reads the direction you want to go. Hop in and hop out, pay as you go, $2 USD each trip. If all else fails, ask someone working at a hotel to grab the right bus for you which are typically large white vans with small sign cards in the dash.

Before soaring down the mountainside, I hyped myself up with a modest breakfast at Reveil Matin SXM Breakfast and Lunch. The cafe was packed so my order for oatmeal topped with fresh fruit, a chai latte and orange juice arrived slowly, one by one. Sadly, the chai didn’t have much flavor and the cost was extremely high at around $35 USD, so not my favorite stop, though, I did see others indulging on massive plates of crepes, waffles and pancakes.

After finishing up my meal, I ordered a taxi to the zip lines costing $10 USD for a quick 10 minute drive (busses don’t go everywhere and I got him down from $20 USD). At the time, gas was about $4.80 a gallon on the island, so I wasn’t really clear on why rides were so expensive.

After arriving at Rainforest Adventure for the Flying Dutchman, I was instructed to check in, sign a waiver and get a wristband marking which adventure was mine. Besides the Flying Dutchman, they also offer Sentry Hill Zip & Schooner Ride, Sky Explorer with 360° Views and Sunset Hour. All the tours were fairly expensive, so I chose the one I felt gave the most bang for the buck, the Flying Dutchman for $99 USD. Onsite was also a small restaurant and museum.

Instructed to rent a locker for my oversized bag and real camera, I placed it inside for $5 USD and made my way to the lift to start my adventure. I’m also pretty sure it was possible to ride up the lift multiple times, so I could’ve brought along my camera, taken pics, gone back down, secured my camera and then gone back up for the ride (my OCD makes me cringe when I don’t have photos from my Canon and have to mix them with those from my phone).

Cautiously, I walked over to the chairlift and hopped on to one of the seats all by myself. Similar to a ski lift, I began to move up the mountain, slow and steady. The ride lasting for a total of about 20 minutes.

Though moving at a snails pace, the lift seemed to be making progress. The sun was overwhelmingly hot and shining down so strongly that it was nearly unbearable at moments. The air was still, not a breeze in sight. Sunglasses, a hat or scarf and sunscreen were an absolute must to avoid getting sunburned.

The higher I traveled and more settled I became on the lift, I began to look behind me and take in the town below. Candy colored houses spotted the hillside and dark shadows from clouds traveled across the lush green landscape. Below, hundreds of tiny white butterflies fluttered among the hillside as if they had someplace important to be.

Looking forward, the lift seemed to disappear into the trees but soon enough, I realized there was a second lift necessary to reach the highest point of the peak.

At the transfer, a man was playing bongos and singing. Distracted by the performance, I almost missed hopping back on to the lift until he gave the cue. The second chairlift switched directions to a steeper but shorter lift.

Looking back once again, I could see the transfer pad and also began to see the Caribbean waters on the other side of the island. It felt like I was flying.

Finally, I reached the top and hopped off the lift. Taking a moment to steady my feet, I realized I had not only paid for a zip line but also to experience some of the best views on the island.

At the top of the peak were a number of platforms and stairs leading to various viewpoints, each one pointing in the direction of a different island. First up, Anguilla to the north.

From the lower platform, it was possible to see the jump point, zip lines stretching across the surface of the mountain. A long wooden staircase led up toward the jump area. Ascending into the clouds, I climbed the steps, one by one.

On the way, another platform overlooked the island of Saba to the southwest. There was even a bar up top blasting hip hop music, helping to get pumped up for the jump or offering a bit of liquid courage. At the risk of throwing up, I passed on the shots I saw others gulping down.

Once I located the jump area, I placed my name on the waiting list with maybe a dozen others and sat down to rest. While waiting, I made sure to take in exactly what was about to happen by watching others prep for the journey.

Views from this vantage point were the best yet. I loved seeing the entire town below and tried to spot the sites I’d seen firsthand, especially those near the capital of Philipsburg and Great Bay Beach. The tiny island within the island is Pond Island and is surrounded by Great Salt Pond. An important area for many bird species, the Great Salt Pond is no longer in use but was the main reason the Dutch settled on Sint Maarten back in 1631; salt collected from the pond was the main source of income for over 300 years as it was sold to both Europe and the Americas. Remnants of the salt production era can still be seen when the water level isn’t very high and the walls of the salt pans are visible.

Suddenly out of nowhere, I heard my name called; it was my turn. Carefully, I stepped up on to the wooden post as I’d seen others do, plopped my bum into the canvas seat and waited to get strapped in. Once everything was clear and the guide received the go-ahead from his walkie talky, the gate opened and drop! I flung into the air and began my decent, soaring the 1,066 feet in elevation and a staggering 2,538 feet in length.

The gentleman had instructed me to prepare by straightening my legs and tucking in my elbows but nothing could have prepared me for that initial drop. As the steepest zip line in the world at a 42% grade, it moved fast but not as smooth as I’d imagined and there was some twisting, which I didn’t love.

In an instant, it was over. Moving at such a high speed, an air pressure system stopped me in my tracks instead of the typical person catching you in their arms. I landed titling back with my legs apart, into the arms of a few mean at the bottom of the mountain. All in all, totally worth it, but not an experience I’d need to try again.

Get Wild at Parotte Ville Bird Park

After such a wild adventure, it was time for something a bit more restful, but still wild. Plus, animals of any variety are always a favorite experience of mine when I’m traveling the world. This time, it was a bird sanctuary just 10 minutes to the northeast; I called a taxi for $15 USD.

Open daily, Parrote Ville Bird Park is a museum and aviary that was started in 2015 by George Parotte. His love and passion for birds, plants and history were combined to create this hidden gem on the island where visitors can get up close and personal with 26 different species of birds for only $10 USD ($5 USD for kids).

After paying the fee, visitors are guided into a huge open greenhouse filled with plant life, bird houses and ropes of all kinds where birds are free to roam and fly as they please. Most active in the mornings, there are over 140 birds including sun conures, one of the world’s friendliest and most colorful birds, ring-neck parakeets, black headed caiques and countless others.

A nice touch, visitors are given a small plastic cup with a wooden handle filled with bird seed. Almost immediately, birds sense a new comer and flock over to get a taste. A little overwhelmed at first, I noticed birds like to sit along the edge of the cup and dip their beaks into the seeds, pulling out their favorite varieties.

Grabbing the larger seeds and cracking them open with their beaks, the remains would fall, either onto my hand, the ground or back into the cup. Like clockwork, cracking open one seed after another.

Feeling like I ought to give others a chance, I tried to scoot my first visitor off my cup. In order to do so, I’d have to tip the cup and give him or her a little nudge, as instructed by the guide, which was a little more force than I was comfortable with.

There were so many birds of all varieties, personalities, colors and sizes. Some were pretty tiny while others were a bit larger. Some were very social, while others hid away under plants or inside bird houses.

Doing my best to wander the grounds, circling round a few times, I wanted to make sure I gave all the birds an opportunity to interact or pick up some bird seed from my cup. I couldn’t believe how social many of the birds were, not afraid or timid at all.

The majority of birds inside the greenhouse were likely Indian ringneck parakeets, also known as the rose-ringed parakeets. This beautiful bird requires a lot of attention and care but is very social and enjoys talking, along with a good challenge. Typically, the coloring of this species is lime green with blue tail feathers and yellow under the wings.

Honestly, there were so many species it was hard to keep track. The guide explained a bit about the different types; it’s important to take note not only of their color but the overall size of the bird, length of the tail, color of the beak and distinguishing marks like rings of color or patches in certain areas. I’d suppose the sounds they make can also identify one species from another.

Some birds were actively eating or sleeping or building, while others seemed to be purely relaxing or entertaining guests.

I found the sleeping birds to be pretty interesting, hanging out in the open, perched on a branch with their eyes closed, somehow ignoring the commotion caused by other birds, which could be quite loud at times.

One of the most colorful birds was the sun conure. Native to South America, the sun conure, also known as the sun parakeet, is a medium sized vibrantly colored parrot with a black beak, golden yellow plumage, orange flushed underparts and face and green and blue tipped wings and tails. They are also one of the loudest medium sized parrots and require daily interaction and constant socialization to stay tame and well-behaved.

Others behaved more like me, as an introvert. So, with only their heads poking out, I made sure to offer the shy ones a snack, as well.

The parakeets seemed most aggressive and actively interested in the seeds. Sometimes the larger birds would overpower and push away the smaller ones.

Eventually, I found a great spot in the rear of the enclosure where birds seemed most active. It was a perfect vantage point to observe as many birds as possible. They moved about the greenhouse with ease, swooping in and out of crevasses, dodging your head by only a few inches, with loose ruffled feathers delicately floating through the air landing on the dirt below.

After about an hour of wandering the greenhouse, the guide approached and asked if I was interested in seeing their toucan. Boy, was I.

Taking a few last moments to enjoy my time with some of the larger lime green parakeets, I watched as others performed a balancing act, using one leg to stand upright and the other to place small round fruits into their beaks.

Giving my farewell to my new feathered friends, I followed the guide over to the opposite side of the enclosure, where I noticed we’d be entering a separate space reserved for the toucan.

Sam the toucan lives separately because he eats small birds and wouldn’t be trusted in the main area. He was sweet and gentle and looked like something out of a cartoon, with deep orange and yellow on his bill and pale blue circling his eyes and covering his feet.

Amazed and overwhelmed by being so close to a real life toucan, I carefully offered Sam some mushy bananas which he gladly accepted.

Enjoy Local Red Snapper

Located in Simpson Bay in what looked like a version of a strip mall but was more rough around the edges, I took the bus to Fritay’s, as recommended by one of my taxi drivers. It was a favorite spot of his and I was happy to give it a try.

The setup was modest and the owner didn’t have much to say, so I went with my gut and ordered the whole red snapper with rice and beans and slaw for $22 USD. The decision was a good one; the fish was tender and flakey and the rest, a perfect compliment.

Heading back toward my stay, I stopped off at Mullet Bay Beach to unwind from the day. Sticking my feet into the cool wet sand did something beautiful, shedding layers from my day.

Just then, I decided to make it a habit of stopping by this beach every evening to watch its sunset unfold. Tonight, it was gentle and soft, with pinks and purples painting the sky, layered with both tall fluffy clouds and stringy ones. In the morning, I’d head north into the French side of the island, Saint Martin, returning late in the afternoon for a delicious dinner of lobster back on my favorite beach.

Indulge on Fresh Lobster

Landing back at Mullet Bay Beach for an early dinner after a day of exploring Saint Martin, I took a seat at Da Waterhole, a beachside restaurant just steps away from the salty ocean.

Happy to rest my feet from a long hot day, it was satisfied to be sitting in the shade waiting for my Bloody Mary to arrive. The views were gorgeous; I could see to the opposite end of the beach where I’d previously emerged from the golf course days earlier.

A real paradise, the restaurant was charming and nestled into the corner of the bay, surrounded by picture perfect palm trees and surfboards, like something off a postcard.

The boys that had given me a ride back from Saint Martin insisted on ordering me a drink. I didn’t refuse and it was surprisingly tasty. Equal parts refreshing and spicy at the same time.

To eat I indulged, telling myself I deserved it, ordering fresh lobster with sweet potato fries and vegetables for $55 USD. The lobster was cooked perfectly and every bite dipped into the herb filled butter melted in my mouth.

Unable to let any go to waste, I stuffed my face with as much lobster as I could and was pleased with the result. What a special treat.

Eager to enjoy another evening sunset, I walked down the beach to the opposite end and plopped down in the soft sand. I went for a swim in the warm Caribbean waters and sunbathed and watched the sky as the sun slowly began to set.

My last evening on the beach, I relished in the peace. The changing colors of the sky and soft wind against my skin moved carefully and intentionally.

And before I knew it, the light was gone and I was sitting alone in darkness.

In the morning, I’d head to the airport only to learn that my flight was nonexistent and I’d need to pivot quickly, rebooking another flight and coordinating a place to stay for the next few nights. Guadeloupe, I’ll catch you another time. It wasn’t meant to be.

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Map of Sint Maarten