Sint Maarten the Dutch side with some French thown in

Persevere
Pat and Bruce
Wed 25 Apr 2012 01:08

25 April 2012

 

In the marina to get a few things sorted and to take a break from the rolly anchorage at Nevis.  The Simpson Bay marina is well done.  Berths are on concrete fixed docks with some finger piers to use.  With the winds normally from the east lines can be arranged to get very good secure mooring.  If the winds swung around with any force this is not so good as the finger piers are rather short.  Longer term boats drop their anchor to assist.

 

There are plenty of modern conveniences here that were very welcome.  New supermarket that was great right across the street.  Nice simple medical clinic to get prescriptions renewed, funny Dutch doctor.  Several chandlers including Island World, Budget Marine at two locations if you include the French side.  Several refrigeration services, a great well equipped electrical store and service center, NAPA auto parts, great rigging company, marine electronics, etc, etc.  By far the best place we found in the Caribbean bar none.  A huge difference from Martinique where the services exist but the attitude made if extremely frustrating.  Just the opposite here.

 

The inner lagoon is very well protected and with all the services it get an active business with super yachts as long as the captain can squeeze through the bridge opening, 15 meters wide and it is tight for some.

 

We met many nice folks in the marina, a range from people who circumnavigated the earth to new cruisers.  Many boats from the USA but still a lot of Europeans at the end of the winter season in the Caribbean and getting ready to cross back over.

 

When berthed in the inner lagoon the dingy becomes the vehicle of choice.  All the major service and supply places seem to have a dinghy dock.  So the place is abuzz with dinghy zipping around.  Of course they all violate the 5 knot limit, including the marina and service people.  Kind of dangerous at times and it does make the water choppy during the day.  Most of the time I stayed at slow speeds and only jumped up on a plane heading across where no boats were moored.

 

The island is split in two between the Dutch and French sides.  The Dutch side has more yacht services, better grocery stores and looks like a small image of the USA (Burger King, McDonalds).  The French side is a small image of Europe.  Very enjoyable waterfront along the lagoon to have a great lunch.  Boats berthed stern-to right against the restaurants.  Narrow streets that exclude cars in some places.  Open air markets selling junk.  And of course great pastries and bread.  This side actually reminded me of the great things in Europe, time is not an issue, the pleasure of eating and shopping is more important.  Here they take Euros, Dollars and many places exchange them as 1:1.  Pay in Dollars!!!

 

Immigration is different between the two sides.  The Dutch side is functional, one office has customs, port authority and immigration.  You get to pay for the bridge openings, use of the outer and inner harbors, and fees to cover a few other things.  On the French side you find a computer at the immigration office, enter the information and print out the receipt.  There is a person, not a governmental employee, to stamp the paper and charge a minimal fee.  No charge to the harbor or bridge.  No wonder France has budget problems but the Dutch are over detailed.

 

Overall the stay on either side is very nice.  Different than when we were here many years ago but better overall.

 

As for the island it is not very interesting.  Some nice beaches, tons of hotels, many, many people jammed onto it.  Not real tropical rain forest, waterfalls or other natural wonders than many of the other islands have.  But it is very civilized.

 

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This is the beach along the outer harbor on the Dutch side.  Soft coral sand.  Looks great until you hear the next 747 jet taking off.  The airport is right behind the beach.  It also gets the brunt of any hurricane so it tends to be destroyed at times.  We anchored off here waiting for the bridge to open and could have made great butter if we had cream from all the rocking and rolling.

 

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Not every boat makes it into the entrance properly.  Actually I think they sank this to protect the house on shore.

 

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Looking from the bridge into the inner lagoon.  Some of the big yachts at berths.

 

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Our daily friend, a green heron, who came by for a few fish each day.  He caught them not us.

 

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The French side inner lagoon. Boats can berth right up against the town and enjoy (or hate) the restaurants right at their stern.  Nice wood fired pizza behind this boat.

 


Example of the local French side market selling junk.  It was all the same stuff it seemed at each vendor.

 

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Just about ready to leave!  Only on the French side can the derelict boats exist.  It is actually afloat!