the french guy vs the dutch guy

our 3rd day in port was on the tiny island of st. maarten.

we spent our morning bopping around the adorable downtown 

phillipsburg on the dutch side of the island.

with charming little shops

and some colorful picnic tables that overlook the harbor

unexpected details around every corner

good thing i remembered my camera!

St. Maarten is the smallest inhabited land mass divided between 2 countries.

france and the netherlands antilles.

legend goes something like this:

(this blurb is from wiki, but it is also told this way on the island)

Since 1975, several versions of a legend about the division have become popular, especially in tourism publications. An often repeated story is that the island was divided into two sections through a race; the French-dominated community chose one person for the race and the Dutch-dominated community chose another, a man named Menno Versteeg. The two representatives were put back to back at one extreme point of the island (the stories vary as to where exactly), and made to walk along the coast in opposite directions. They were not allowed to run. At the point where they eventually met, a line was drawn across the island, connecting their starting point with their meeting point. This became the frontier which divides Saint-Martin from Sint Maarten. The reason why the French side of the island covers more territory was said to be that the French representative moved faster than the Dutch.

In one version, the explanation for the French walker's quicker pace is that he drank wine beforehand, while the Dutch walker drank beer. This is used to support the claim that wine has restorative effects and that it was the French drink of choice that enabled the French walker to move faster.

after an enchanting stroll through the dutch side we decided to head over to Marigot on the french side for some white sandy beaches.

here is a quick shot i snapped out the window on the drive there.

for some reason i don't have any beach shots...which is too bad cuz it was a nude beach. which really means topless for the women and fish net thongs for the men. in which case you might be thankful there are no images:)

just close your eyes and imagine every white sandy beach with sparkling turquoise water that you've ever seen in pics...and you're there! although the naked people were all old and saggy instead of the perfectly tanned and toned buxom beauties you find in the photos.

next stop: antiqua barbuda

you might need to allow some time for me to track down some photos. we went sea kayaking and snorkeling and i didn't want to risk getting my camera wet so it got left behind, but i'm pretty sure my sister snapped a few. stay tuned:)

ttfn

Comments

[[michele]]

Oh gosh, thanks so much for posting your trip photos! What a nice pick-me-up from the winter blahs! (It's five degrees and gray skies here in central Ohio. Blech!)

[Diane]

Oh my! I just read your description of the old people on the beach and I spit my tea all over my computer. Too funny (and kind of sweet).

I'm loving all of the candy-colored architecture.

[leanne]

loving the sights...i have been looking out at snow for the last couple of months. shades of blue-gray skies...and every hue of white. so currently i am craving the colours you are sharing. thank you. you've inspired me. xo

[dottyspots]

It all looks so very beautiful *sigh*

Looks like you had a wonderful time!

[rachel]

Fun! We went there on our honeymoon and it is the prettiest place I've ever been and everyone was so friendly!

[corine]

I'm a little jealous. but mostly mesmerized.

[Danielle]

looks like great trip-beautiful pictures!