The island of Sint Maarten-Saint Martin is the smallest land mass in the world to be shared by two different nations. Only 37 square miles are owned by France and the Netherlands Antilles. For more information on St Martin see the blog entry from our visit here last year.
http://heatwave-sailing.blogspot.com/2009/03/about-st-martin.html
It still amazes me how a supermarket can quote prices in 3 currencies, especially when 2 of them, US$ and Euro, fluctuate on a daily basis! The mental arithmetic keeps you on your toes here - in shops either dividing by 1.8 (Naf to US$) or multiplying by about 1.4 (Euro to US$) (a variation from dividing by the EC$2.67 and TT$6 for islands further south). Credit card transactions are done in US$ on the Dutch side and Euro on the French side, so, when they offer fuel, or drinks/food in a beach bar on the French side at a rate of 1US$=1Euro, its important to carry lots of US$ cash!
Many cruisers come to St Martin for 2 weeks and stay for 2 months! The social scene (catching up with old friends and making new friends), coupled with availability of parts, services etc makes St Martin a stopping place for many. A "Cruisers Net" on the VHF radio each morning informs everyone of weather, arrivals and departures, items people are looking to buy or sell, and social events. A weekly cruisers happy hour get together at a local dock bar attracts close to 100 cruisers (or is it the 1$ beers that attract them??).
While in St Martin, Charlotte started a weekly kids beach party, often attracting over 20 children. It was just like a continuation of the Elbow Beach parties that we used to arrange in Bermuda! Many complimented her on her VHF radio skills, when she announced it on the morning Cruisers Net.
Charlotte also caught up with her friend Harmony (from South Africa, who lives in St Martin) again for many play dates and sleepovers - this is now the 4th year they have got together. She also caught up again with Zinnia, who we had last seen in Antigua, and met many other new friends, including Emily and Olivia who she has sailing lessons with. Cruising kids are always happy to play with any kids, age often not an issue, and Damien, age 11 (half French half English) called up to come over with all his games one afternoon.
Charlotte also had Optimist sailing lessons twice a week, and did very well. It was nice that she was allowed to join in the regular beginners lessons, as so often, it is difficult to get involved in any local activities when you are only somewhere for a short time. It was great sitting at the yacht club, watching the mega yachts go out the 4.30 bridge opening, and then see Charlotte and her class following behind in the opties!
Regular life on board continues:
- home schooling in the morning (along with all the relevant bribing!);
- going shopping in a dingy (hoping the eggs weren't scrambled before we got back...);
- waiting for over 4 weeks for a package to still not arrive from UK;
- fixing boat problems;
- understanding power issues on the boat (eg can't make ice and flush the electric toilet at the same time ...);
to name just a few.
The highlight for Charlotte was getting her ears pierced - I thought 12 was a better age, but Jimmy thought 6 was fine - Daddy's little girl won him over...
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