Sint Maarten

Government Overseas Eilandgebied of the Netherlands, part of Netherlands Antilles Capital Philipsburg Currency Netherlands Antilles Guilder (ANG) but US$ is common currency Area 34km2 Population (2009) 41,000 Language Dutch (English) Islands 1 (main island) Economy Tourism (85%) GDP per Capita $11,400 (n.a., Netherlands 16th worldwide) [2008 Data] Links CIA Factbook, Wikipedia Page

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The map at the right shows the Dutch part of the island in tan. I spent a lot of time and money in that half of the island, as it is a true shopping Mecca; the French side being more a gustatory destination. From the cruise ship shopping for jewellery and other bling items in Philipsburg to the large chandleries at Island Waterworld and Budget Marine and other boat-related stores such as Electec and other smaller establishments.

While the countries have no real border checkpoint on the road, there is a real border between them when it comes to boats. When travelling via boat from country to country, one needs to formally “check out” of one nation and receive clearance papers, then officially check into the next country. They usually will not allow you to check in without getting the previous countries' clearance papers. On Saint Martin the Dutch and French sides compete for boating income and thus they jealously guard their prerogatives. The big Simpson Bay anchorage area is accessible to boats via two drawbridges, one on the French side (shallow draft, small channel) and one on the Dutch side (deep draft for Mega yachts) and the border runs somewhere through the middle. One can dinghy back and forth with impunity, but moving a boat from one side to the other requires one to check out of the one country and back into the other. I made the mistake of sailing on the outside from the Dutch side, where I had checked in, to the French side and anchoring there. A not-so-friendly customs patrol informed me of my faux-pas and I wasn't allowed to return to the Dutch side, I had to dinghy over to the customs & immigration offices, wait in line for an hour to check out, then return to the French side and wait there in order to check in.

For a map with clickable pictures from this site displayed geographically please click here

Rob really had no luck with camera on this day, each time he wanted to get a picture of a landing plane the camera would delay a bit and none of his pictures turned out. [18°2'23.49"N 63°7'14.19"W (facing S)] Airplane just prior to touching down

Laura Dekker (presumably with her parent aboard), going through the Dutch drawbridge in St. Martin and departing the Simpson Baie Lagoon for the outside anchorage. [18°2'9.72"N 63°5'35.27"W (facing W)] Laura Dekker exiting the St. Martin bridge

Philipsburg bay [18°1'22.23"N 63°3'28.37"W (facing E)] Phillipsburg Bay from above

Each day the Air France Airbus heading to Paris would roar its way over my boat. Here the jet is just raising the landing gear. [18°2'31.46"N 63°5'37.66"W (facing W)] Airbus taking off past Zanshin I

St. Martin megayachts And these are just the babies...