St. Martin / St. Maarten
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One of the smallest islands in the world ever to have been partitioned between two different nations, St. Martin/St. Maarten has been shared by the French and the Dutch in a spirit of neighborly cooperation and mutual friendship for almost 350 years. The border is almost imperceptible. and people cross back and forth without ever realizing they are entering a new country. The only marker is a monument between Union Road and Bellevue, testifying to centuries of peaceful cohabitation and the treaty that made the arrangement possible.
St. Maarten is small--only 37 square miles, about half the area of Washington, D.C. St. Maarten (Sint Maarten) is the Dutch half, while St. Martin is French.The main thoroughfare of the Dutch capital, Philipsburg, is Front Street, which stretches for about a mile and is lined with stores selling international merchandise, such as French fashions and Swedish crystal. It is completely overrun with shoppers from a continuous supply of cruise ships.The French side of the island, and its capitol, Marigot, is more sophisticated and stylish. It is also much quieter and decidedly French. |
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| Click on the pictures for a better view. | |
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Our cottage at the Dawn Beach Hotel and Cottages.. |
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The pool at Dawn Beach Hotel. |
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Dawn Beach. |
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Dinner entertainment at the Dawn Beach restaurant. |
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Day trip on the 41 foot ketch, "Pretty Penny". Sailed to a secluded island, swam, snorkelled and sunbathed. Nice picnic lunch. and open bar. |
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Cocktail hour in Philipsburg. |