Jan – Feb 2023

Sint Maarten, Netherlands

This is truly one of the very few, as we are not in the habit of taking winter vacations and going into warm places (although Jan.2020 Palm Springs, CA would qualify).
In any case, never been to the island (either side) and looking forward to it. Read more

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Trip start
January 28, 2023
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- Day 1
- Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 12:59 PM
- 🌬 77 °F
- Altitude: 16 ft
- Sint Maarten Princess Juliana International Airport 18.045, -63.11166718°2’42” N 63°6’42” W
Welcome to Sint Maarten
January 28, 2023 in Sint Maarten ⋅ 🌬 77 °F
The beginning of the trip went off without a hitch... we made good time to JFK, reasonably breezed through TSA and took of on time.
SXM welcomed us with slightly overcast skies but typical 80 degree weather.
Our driver Kris was waiting for us once we got through customs ( also a breeze) and off to our Caribbean adventure we went.Read more
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- Day 1
- Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 2:19 PM
- 🌬 77 °F
- Altitude: Sea level
- Sint Maarten Ravine Rouge 18.053333, -63.01518°3’12” N 63°0’54” W
Oyster Bay Resort
January 28, 2023 in Sint Maarten ⋅ 🌬 77 °F
Check-in was also very easy; we took a look at some options of activities that we will take advantage of in the upcoming week and went to our room - we have a Marina View, after which we did a preliminary walk through a small portion of the resort and participated in the Welcome CaribbeanRum punch reception....
And a door...
AND CANNON (Hark,I hear....)Read more
TravelerA door and a canon, what else do you need! 🤣
1/28/23Reply
TravelerI'm sayin' 😊 Perfect Vacation already😋
1/28/23Reply
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- Day 1
- Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 6:32 PM
- ⛅ 75 °F
- Altitude: Sea level
- Sint Maarten Ravine Rouge 18.053333, -63.01518°3’12” N 63°0’54” W
1
Caribbean Night Din din
January 28, 2023 in Sint Maarten ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Rice and beans steamed and grilled veggies plantain and creole shrimp
Laurie opted for BBQ chicken and pronounced it amazing so I might go and get me some as well...
And so I did with some barbecue riblets to boot and Johnny cakes which is very reminiscent of New Orleans beignets but a little bit more savory
😋
...and a little lap around the pool afterwards...Read more
Traveler Beautiful resort! Enjoy! 😊
1/28/23Reply
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- Day 2
- Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 7:57 AM
- 🌬 75 °F
- Altitude: Sea level
- Sint Maarten Ravine Rouge 18.051667, -63.01518°3’6” N 63°0’54” W
Oh what a beautiful morning
January 29, 2023 in Sint Maarten ⋅ 🌬 75 °F
Woke up , fell out of bed
Dragged a comb across my head...
Actuallythereisnoneedforthecomb so we simply got up at 7:00AM quite refreshed and having a simple breakfast of cereal and coffee on our balcony.
We can see a small part of the bay, which has a marina; there is a big white house that Laurie really loves right in front of us and we can also see a sliver of resort's Beach.
Morning doves and other birds are providing a bit of an entertainment and we actually saw a pelican flying by most likely going to the water.Read more
TravelerWhat a great view.
1/30/23Reply
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- Day 2
- Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 10:07 AM
- 🌬 75 °F
- Altitude: Sea level
- Sint Maarten Ravine Rouge 18.053333, -63.01518°3’12” N 63°0’54” W
Orientation
January 29, 2023 in Sint Maarten ⋅ 🌬 75 °F
What could possibly be better after cereal and coffee...why mimosas of course! 😋 ...so we have a couple while we sat through orientation presentation that told us about various tours by their representatives.
We got pretty good idea as to what we might be doing through the rest of our week and went on a island highlights tour
The bus was filled to the gills

So... Saint Martin (French: Saint-Martin; Dutch: Sint Maarten) is an island in the northeast Caribbean Sea, approximately 300 km (190 mi) east of Puerto Rico. The 87 square kilometres (34 sq mi) island is divided roughly 60:40 between the French Republic (53 square kilometres (20 sq mi))[1] and the Kingdom of the Netherlands (34 square kilometres (13 sq mi)),[2] but the Dutch part is more populated than the French part. The division dates to 1648..
Of course you can get more information on WikipediaRead more
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- Day 2
- Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 10:44 AM
- 🌬 75 °F
- Altitude: 36 ft
- Saint Martin Caye Chateau 18.066667, -63.01518°4’0” N 63°0’54” W
Oyster Bay
January 29, 2023 in Saint Martin ⋅ 🌬 75 °F
Some shots of Oyster Bay and our Resort as we slowly start climbing to the French side of the island
TravelerBeautiful, beautiful, beautiful!
1/30/23Reply
TravelerAgain, gorgeous scenery!
1/30/23Reply
Travelerthank you ladies
1/30/23Reply
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- Day 2
- Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 11:56 AM
- 🌬 75 °F
- Altitude: 59 ft
- Saint Martin Ravine du Paradis 18.07, -63.0318°4’12” N 63°1’48” W
Iguanas
January 29, 2023 in Saint Martin ⋅ 🌬 75 °F
So so there is this whole bunch of iguanas hanging out next to the road at this particular place and of course you can feed them, touch them, pet them, take pictures with them...
we're really didn't get out of the bus, just looked at them from the side...
by the way I did and do have more pictures but I took them on my 35 mm camera and I thought that I would be able to upload those pictures here,
unfortunately that is not the case..
I still might be able to do that but only after I come home, so if anybody is so inclined has to go back and revisit some of my days - feel free to do so sometime after we come back
... and by the way we are on the French side of the Island right now so we are officially in Saint MartinRead more
TravelerWow!
1/30/23Reply
Travelertastes like chicken...🤣
1/30/23Reply
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- Day 2
- Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 12:13 PM
- 🌬 77 °F
- Altitude: 39 ft
- Saint Martin Salines de Grand’Case 18.103333, -63.05518°6’12” N 63°3’18” W
Grand Cage (La Grand-Cage)
January 29, 2023 in Saint Martin ⋅ 🌬 77 °F
First small town that we stopped at; you know it is a little bit disappointing because these towns, if one can so call them, is really nothing but tiny little villages ...nothing is going on here and it's being Sunday pretty much everything is closed
we had about 1.5 hours here which allowed us to check out very few shops that were open and had nothing- at least for us, and have lunch
At least that was plenty
we had a barbecue combo which had both ribs and chicken along with vegetables and salad
I also tried one of the local beers and it was pretty good

We are contemplating to rent a car for a day, and if so we will return here while at it (as well as many other places on the island)Read more
TravelerSounds like you are enjoying the weather, the food, and the charm of the place.
1/30/23Reply
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- Day 2
- Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 12:15 PM
- 🌬 77 °F
- Altitude: 52 ft
- Saint Martin Baie de Grande-Case 18.100531, -63.05759718°6’2” N 63°3’27” W
Grand Case 2
January 29, 2023 in Saint Martin ⋅ 🌬 77 °F
Grand Case Beach
YEah - I'll take any of those :)
Cactus almost ready to bloom
King King - La Grand Case style
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- Day 2
- Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 1:45 PM
- 🌬 77 °F
- Altitude: 23 ft
- Saint Martin Morne Valois 18.075, -63.07833318°4’30” N 63°4’42” W
Lady Liberty
January 29, 2023 in Saint Martin ⋅ 🌬 77 °F
Theo Bonev is in the Agrément roundabout in Marigot, the capital of French St. Martin.

The “Lady Liberty” statue at the Agrement roundabout was unveiled on July 12, 2007, the 159th anniversary of the abolishment of slavery in all French territories in 1848
It is by a Bulgarian sculptor Theodore Bonev
Localsrfequently celebrate the end of slavery at its base.
I also took a picture of the hair of a young lady sitting in front of me... basically for no other reason but "just because "Read more
TravelerShe looks patterned after OUR Lady Liberty.
1/30/23Reply
TravelerFunny you mentioned that. There is enough stuff floating on the Web that she was "the original" one offered by Bartoldi to USA and rejected because of the color.... 🤨
1/30/23Reply
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- Day 2
- Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 1:53 PM
- 🌬 77 °F
- Altitude: 7 ft
- Saint Martin Marina Fort-Louis 18.068333, -63.08666718°4’6” N 63°5’12” W
Marigot
January 29, 2023 in Saint Martin ⋅ 🌬 77 °F
For a capital of Franch side it really doesn't have a lot;
same thing as the first town - because it's Sunday 80% of all the shops and even restaurants are closed 😑
we took a fast stop at the port, gawked at the pretty boats and went back on the bus... and back to Dutch sideRead more
TravelerWhat a great photo!
1/30/23Reply
TravelerBut you can't beat that scenery! Enjoy!
1/30/23Reply
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- Day 2
- Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 2:38 PM
- 🌬 79 °F
- Altitude: 233 ft
- Sint Maarten Cay Bay 18.025, -63.07666718°1’30” N 63°4’36” W
Sentry Hill
January 29, 2023 in Sint Maarten ⋅ 🌬 79 °F
Sentry Hill - the highest point on the Dutch side at 341m (1100 ft)
It is overlooking Cay bay beach - a silent, quiet beach at the back of St Maarten’s energy plant, and provides access to Seaside Nature Park. An ideal location for kids to be around animals, or take a horse bak ride. It has a magnificent view of Great Bay and Phillipsburg. The town consists of only a few streets – mainly reserved for duty-free shops – and a population of less than 1,400 St. Maarteners. At the top of this mount are the remains of Fort Tig built by the British in 1801. When it became part of the Dutch territory in 1816, they renamed it Fort William in honor of Holland’s first king.
The monument is to Harold Jack the man who used to own the landRead more
TravelerHow beautiful! And it looks so warm. (Can you spell "jealous")
1/30/23Reply
Travelernot after last night's liquid dinner I can not 😋
1/30/23Reply
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- Day 2
- Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 4:19 PM
- 🌬 79 °F
- Altitude: Sea level
- Sint Maarten Ravine Rouge 18.053333, -63.01518°3’12” N 63°0’54” W
2 4 1
January 29, 2023 in Sint Maarten ⋅ 🌬 79 °F
Back to resort; sitting on a terrace, enjoying the 2-4-1 happy hour 😀
Laurie is having something called Painkiller and I opted for Sint Maarten Mama 🍸🧉🤗
....and The Birds just scored a TD 👏
The crowd gathered around the bar and many are watching the game.
Yes there are some 49ers fans here;
and there were a couple of gentlemen that have been running numbers since the beginning of the day so obviously the crowd is quite excited and into the game
2 4 1 means just that so we had "seconds" ... of course 😇
..and thirds...
Now we were told that in the Caribbean the regular drink is typically gets doubled so I'm going to say that we had 8 drinks each by this time... but what the heck Eagles are up 21/7 into the third quarter and life is good

So .... the end of it is...
Laurie went back to the room and got us some cheese sandwiches, made from provisions we bought earlier, while I ordered us " round 4", we cheered Da Birds to the Victory and went to the gym to finish off the nightRead more
TravelerE-A-G-L-E-S . The AFC championship was pretty good too -- but who goes on vacation to mainline football?
1/30/23Reply
Travelersome of the crowd stayed for "game 2". We obviously thought that some time on treadmill would be better 😉
1/30/23Reply
TravelerWe watched the game at James' home. Unfortunately he is a 49's fan. He was most unhappy they lost but is ok with the Eagles winning.
1/30/23Reply
Travelerplease extend our sincere condolences...not
1/30/23Reply
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- Day 3
- Monday, January 30, 2023 at 7:18 AM
- 🌬 75 °F
- Altitude: Sea level
- Sint Maarten Ravine Rouge 18.053333, -63.01518°3’12” N 63°0’54” W
Aqua arobics
January 30, 2023 in Sint Maarten ⋅ 🌬 75 °F
So I decided to get up a little early today and went to take an aqua aerobics class while Laurie was still enjoying the Morpheus' Embrace
Surprisingly it was a little bit tougher than I expected but I did have much funRead more
TravelerWow! Watch out Putin!
1/30/23Reply
TravelerLa la Ras-PUTIN Russia's greatest love machine....or sumthn lak dat
1/30/23Reply
TravelerLooks like fun-Enjoy the warmth- a cold front is coming our way starting tomorrow 🥶
1/30/23Reply
Travelerhere as well... might drop down to 81 😇
1/30/23Reply
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- Day 3
- Monday, January 30, 2023 at 11:47 AM
- Altitude: Sea level
- Sint Maarten Ravine Rouge 18.053333, -63.01518°3’12” N 63°0’54” W
Lazy Day
January 30, 2023 in Sint Maarten
"Blue sky, sunshine
What a day to take a dip in the pool
Ice cream, daydream....

Lazy day just right for lovin' away
Lazy day made for a stroll in the lane....
To the spa..."

Completely lazy and relaxed day
after breakfast we did the timeshare presentation then walked a little bit more around the resort, snuck in some gym time and went to the pool.
we stayed in the pool for a little while until the mini Monsoon drove everybody away ...but we had a reservation for spa where Laurie got her nails done and I had a relaxing massage. Then we went to the pool and stayed there until another mini monsoon drove us away (you know dem 5-minutes hits) so we went back to the room had some lunch
Then back to the pool side to just sit there and do a little relaxing reading... Will be getting ready for a big welcome party and then dinner soon afterwardsRead more
TravelerWhat else are vacations for but relaxing?
1/31/23Reply
TravelerUmmmm... walking Pilgrimage Caminos perhaps 🤔 😏
1/31/23Reply
TravelerLazy days are always good when there is a pool a drink or two and warm sunshine ❤️
1/31/23Reply
Travelerno argument here 😊🍸
1/31/23Reply
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- Day 3
- Monday, January 30, 2023 at 5:12 PM
- 🌬 79 °F
- Altitude: Sea level
- Sint Maarten Ravine Rouge 18.053333, -63.01518°3’12” N 63°0’54” W
Evening has broken...
January 30, 2023 in Sint Maarten ⋅ 🌬 79 °F
Open bar for 2 hours
Salt n Pepper are taking good care of us
These ladies are more than generous with their pours...and just the fact that the booze is free 👌 😉...

...Noticed this rock formation earlier in the day; at that time it reminded me of a seagull but now (different lighting and couple of rum punches) it looks more like an Alligator...😵‍💫

The is a live band providing entertainment and we all are having a MAH-velous time.

The dinner theme for tonight was Lobster Night
Laurie went with Lobster Ravioli but I decided to forgo crustaceans and chose pan-seared Red Snapper.
We shared a not NY-style cheesecake for dessert... as you can guess it was yummy 😋

The outside festivities continued with Karaoke night...
Another day in Paradise under the beltRead more
TravelerI can see where that formation looks like an alligator.
1/31/23Reply
TravelerFree rum is always good!
1/31/23Reply
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- Day 4
- Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 9:59 AM
- 🌬 75 °F
- Altitude: 72 ft
- Sint Maarten Ravine Rouge 18.053333, -63.01833318°3’12” N 63°1’6” W
Hi-ho Hi-ho it's off to hike we go
January 31, 2023 in Sint Maarten ⋅ 🌬 75 °F
Today we are going to let our legs remember what's it like to be back on Camino and do some light hiking through little gentle Hills to a place called Babit Point.
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- Day 4
- Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 10:10 AM
- 🌬 75 °F
- Altitude: Sea level
- Saint Martin Oyster Pond 18.056667, -63.0218°3’24” N 63°1’12” W
Bienvenue en Partie Francaise
January 31, 2023 in Saint Martin ⋅ 🌬 75 °F
Crossing over to the French side and surrounded by many beautiful Villas and just as many beautiful flowers
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- Day 4
- Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 10:36 AM
- 🌬 75 °F
- Altitude: 102 ft
- Saint Martin Babit Point 18.055, -63.01166718°3’18” N 63°0’42” W
Babit Point
January 31, 2023 in Saint Martin ⋅ 🌬 75 °F
Babit Point is a high hill that rises up from the entrance of the bay. There are rock outcroppings and clusters to enjoy along the way to the top. Many hikers opt to use them as places to take a break, sit for a while, and enjoy the views, which are undeniably some of the best on the island.
Some four-legged friends greeted us as we got on the short trail properRead more
TravelerBeautiful!
1/31/23Reply
Traveler🙏
1/31/23Reply
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- Day 4
- Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 10:40 AM
- 🌬 75 °F
- Altitude: 102 ft
- Saint Martin Babit Point 18.055, -63.01166718°3’18” N 63°0’42” W
Babit Point 2
January 31, 2023 in Saint Martin ⋅ 🌬 75 °F
Beautiful views all around and plenty of various cacti
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- Day 4
- Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 11:40 AM
- 🌬 75 °F
- Altitude: 49 ft
- Saint Martin Coralita Beach 18.058333, -63.01333318°3’30” N 63°0’48” W
Bread n Butter
January 31, 2023 in Saint Martin ⋅ 🌬 75 °F
Bread n Butter is a small French Bakery and Supermarket that we heard of from many people in the resort including employees.
We stopped over for some lunch which included a totally magnifique Pizza au Jambon et Fromage avec quelques, Libations pour Adultes et un Croissant au Chocolat...😋
We picked up a freshly baked baguette for later on as well
... oh and I finally got me some apples and took more pictures of flowers.

Je suis vraiment un gars heureux. 😍Read more
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- Day 4
- Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 4:16 PM
- 🌬 79 °F
- Altitude: Sea level
- Sint Maarten Ravine Rouge 18.053333, -63.01518°3’12” N 63°0’54” W
Ready, Steady, Go
January 31, 2023 in Sint Maarten ⋅ 🌬 79 °F
After the hike we went back to our room chilled out a little, had lunch of nice smoked aged gouda cheese and that baguette that we bought and got ready to go on our Sunset Catamaran Cruise.

Here we are all snazzed up in our inner Court and the receptionist lobby of the resortRead more
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- Day 4
- Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 4:46 PM
- 🌬 79 °F
- Altitude: 13 ft
- Sint Maarten Bobby’s Marina 18.02, -63.04333318°1’12” N 63°2’36” W
Bobby's Marina in Philipsburg
January 31, 2023 in Sint Maarten ⋅ 🌬 79 °F
Waiting to board the Cat
TravelerCute couple -- but the guy next to you needs to bulk up.
2/1/23Reply
TravelerHar! Shiver me timbers
2/1/23Reply
TravelerGreat pictures of both of you!
2/1/23Reply
TravelerThanks. Still struggling with selfies.. the lessons learned on Camino somewhat faded away
2/1/23Reply
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- Day 4
- Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 4:57 PM
- 🌬 79 °F
- Altitude: 13 ft
- Sint Maarten Bobby’s Marina 18.02, -63.04333318°1’12” N 63°2’36” W
On the boat
January 31, 2023 in Sint Maarten ⋅ 🌬 79 °F
Our boat's name is Too Rhum Punch
There is only 19 of us so this should be a really good Cruise because they stock up drinks for about a hundred 😊😉
TravelerWatch those drinks. Don't want to lose anyone overboard!
2/1/23Reply
Travelerobviously as later posts and pictures appeared rest be assured nobody got lost overboard or otherwise. 🤣
2/1/23Reply
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- Day 4
- Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 5:44 PM
- 🌬 79 °F
- Altitude: Sea level
- Sint Maarten Little Bay 18.015, -63.06333318°0’54” N 63°3’48” W
A sunset that "almost was"
January 31, 2023 in Sint Maarten ⋅ 🌬 79 °F
At the very last moment the sun hid behind the cloud... but the ride was still beautiful and .....(sigh) more of nice boats to look at
TravelerSo beautiful!
1/31/23Reply
TravelerAre you on a boat? What is that in the distance? What a great photo.
2/1/23Reply
TravelerOf course you are on a boat. This was the first "footprint" I opened today. I'm looking t all your photos backwards. Sorry.
2/1/23Reply
Travelerno problem...La Dolce Vita 😊
2/1/23ReplyTranslate
Travelerwe really didn't go out a lot...from what I could see- didn't even cleared the channel... and there was no reason to for the purpose
2/1/23Reply
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