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Wednesday 10 February 2010

Cruise - St Maarten - #4...

There are two sides to St Maarten Dutch and French, sitting on our balacony at 6.30 a.m with a cup of green tea I watched our arrival at Philipsburg on the Dutch side of the island.



It was raining again.

The Carnival Victory was already docked as we approached so I took a photo for you Empress Bee of the High Seas.  Not sure if you've been on this one Bee?




Undeterred by the weather, we showered and went to breakfast then went to explore Philipsburg which is a duty free haven with lots of expensive shops.   Apparently in 1648 the Dutch and French joined forces to push out the Spanish from the island and agreed to divide the island and that's how it's stayed.  The currency on the island is the Netherlands Antilles Flori (or Guilder) and Euros on the French side, though American dollars are accepted on both sides - luckily we had some.    The only thing I bought was this gorgeous little elephant for my collection and 400 cigarettes for my Dad which were incredibly cheap at $30!!




We stopped at a little cafe for a cool drink, it was very warm even though it was raining.  I snapped MWM filming the surroundings.



We decided to explore some more around the quaint streets.





We found the beach, so we took off our sandals and went for a paddle.



It looks a bit grey but in fact the skies were clearing by this time.

How's this for a bargain?



We didn't partake though.


We'd had quite a long walk and decided to go back to the ship by which time the skies had cleared and here's the view from  the ship of where we'd just walked.



We had lunch and then sunbathed at the Splash Pool for a while.  I went for a swim but MWM doesn't so he just sat on the steps whilst I took his photo.





It got rather hot so we went back to our suite where we read for a while, had a glass of wine and promptly fell asleep!

The show that evening consisted of a singer called Jayne Middleton who did a tribute to Annie Lennox and she was just fantastic - she looked and sounded just like Annie of whom I'm a big fan.  We ended the evening in the Connexions Bar where the events team were running a take on the game show 'The Generation Game'.      Three couples volunteered to take part and it was hilarious.    Their first game was to make towel animals, then the men got to put make-up on their wives and do their hair - you can imagine the mess they made of that.  The wives got their own back though because they got to use face-paints on their husbands to make them look like a puppy dog!    I'm so glad I didn't volunteer MWM and myself - there's no way I'd trust him to put make-up on me or do my hair!


Did you know we appeared on the Generation game in 1981 - you can read about it here if you're interested.

By the time we'd stopped laughing it was late, again, so we took ourselves off to bed.

Join me again for our next stop - St. Kitts.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

How cool and you are starts being ont he Generation game. I read that as well. How fun. And the one on the cruise sounds just hilarious. The pictures are so great and I'm so enjoying this. What an excellent recap of your wonderful cruise my sweet friend. :)

Dumdad said...

Enjoyed this latest instalment of your fab hols. Damn, I want a sunny holiday! It's been snowing again over here and today it's really cold.

I also enjoyed reading about your claim to fame. Pity your better half didn't get to the sliding doors bit!

Akelamalu said...

Haha so you read of our stardom Thom! ;) The game onboard was just hilarious - kudos to those who took part. I'm so glad you're enjoying our cruise. x

It's trying to snow here too Dumdad. We need a week in the sun again too - greedy we are! I'm pleased you're enjoying my posts about the cruise. :)

tony said...

The Island Looks Lovely (I read this & its snowing outside again!!!!)
Larry Grayson & Peter Kay!Im impressed (especially Mr Kay,who I love)
Enjoy Yourselves!

TBM said...

So many beautiful pics! And wow, that ship on the right looks HUGE!!

So interesting that the Dutch side of the island is still using the Guilder. Her in the Netherlands it's Euro all the way ;-)

Very pretty carved elephant :-)

clean and crazy said...

is 'st. Martin part of the virgin islands? my uncle went to St. Thomas Virgin islands for a honey moon years and years ago. these are amazing pictures i am so glad you enjoyed yourself!! everyone deserves a vacation like this, and if we can't got we ca virtually join you in your pictures now!! Thanks for sharing!!

happily retired gal said...

Your wonderful photos are bringing back lovely memories of my own visit to St Maarten in April of 2005 where I bought a lovely bracelet and ring of Tanzanite ... I love your elephant!
Hugs and blessings,

buffalodick said...

Another fun day on the island! I was on a local kid's show once. I was with our Cub Scout Den, and had to square dance with a little girl who wore too much perfume.. I pulled my hat down low, so I wouldn't be recognized.. Later, as an adult, I was in a televised cooking contest, which I placed third..Another time, as a young man I led the City bowling tournament for 4 weeks(finished 2nd!) They showed my photo on local cable every night- picture a happy, but really loaded guy all red in the face and smiling...

Nessa said...

Your pictures of St. Maarten and the ship are beautiful. They make me warm on the snow storm day.

Dam

Akelamalu said...
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Akelamalu said...

It's been snowing here too Tony but thankfully it's not sticking. Peter Kay is SO funny!

That ship is the Carnival Victory JAPRA and it is HUGE! I thought the same about the use of the Guilder too.

I think St Maarten is part of the Leeward Islands Clean & Crazy. We didn't visit St Thomas - hopefully another time.

I'm pleased my post brought back some good memories for you Happily Retired Gal x

Buff you have your claims to fame too! Have you blogged about them? If not you should!

Photos of warm places are great to look at when the weather outside is cold Nessa, enjoy. x

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

i have not been on the carnival victory, it leaves from puerto rico i think and we live in florida and can drive to these ports and go to the same stops from miami or ft. lauderdale.

i love st. maarten though. one of my favorite stops.

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoox

Ron said...

OMG...I can't stop laughing at the 1 umbrella, 2 chairs, 5 beers for $20.00!!!!

That's hysterical! And such a bargain!

What an adorable-looking little town that is. It kinda reminds me of Ket West, Florida. You would LOVE it there!

Thank for sharing day 4 with us, m'dear!

Enjoyed!

X

性感的我 said...
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cheshire wife said...

What a difference a blue sky and the sun makes!

Susan at Stony River said...

What a perfect day! It sounds like just what a vacation should be.

buffalodick said...

Ake- I got stories yet to be told..true ones to be sure!

Spiky Zora Jones said...

akelamalu: Hi honey. You make me want to go back out to sea for more adventures. I love that price...but who gets the last beer. hehehe, share or wrestle each other for it. I say wrestle cause even if you lose you win. weeee.

I love the pics and you know what I was more in French side and we were not long there...

thanks for sharing St Maartin...I'm telling my girl...we have to go back there. i don't think she will fight me on it...she loved it there.

xxx

Linda said...

So nice to see that the sun came out - even if it was after you had gone back to the ship for the day. Gave you a chance to take a nice dip in the pool!

It sounds like the perfect vacation so far - can't wait to read some more!

CG said...

Another very interesting post, great photos and i liked reading about your being on TV!!

Maggie May said...

The best part for me would be the going on shore to see the different countries! Lovely to see photos.

Nuts in May

quilly said...

Great destinations, exotic scenery, each other for company, a bit of exercise, a bit or relaxation and hours of laughter. Sounds like the perfect vacation!

Cloudia said...

You two look WONDERFUL!



Aloha, Friend!


Comfort Spiral

Deb said...

Welcome Home! I am sitting here wrapped up in a blanket as it snows outside and reading all about your trip has warmed me up. Great pictures, and details. Sounds like you both were able to relax and celebrate being together ! Thanks for being a great tour guide.

Akelamalu said...

Ah I see Bee, I liked St Maarten too. :)

I thought $20 for all that was a bargain too Ron, I wish it had been a bottle of wine though!

Oh yes it makes all the difference Cheshire Wife!

It was Susan :)

I'm looking forward to reading them Buff :)

We would have shared the last beer Spiky, though the wrestling for it sounds good!

The sun came out when we got to the beach Linda but we had no towels with us or we would have stayed and swam - well I would have swam, MWM doesn't.

Glad you enjoyed both CG :)

We enjoyed that part so much Maggie.

It was the perfect vacation Quilly - up to now! ;)

Aw thanks Cloudia x

I'm pleased you're enjoying my travelogue Deb, there's plenty more to come. :)

nitebyrd said...

The pictures are beautiful! That umbrella/chair/beer deal is an incredible bargin!

mrsnesbitt said...

Loved it! Yes, a read and a glass of wine always entices sleep! There was me thinking it was my age, didn't realise it was the fashion! lol!

Akelamalu said...

Thanks Nitebyrd, I thought it was a good deal too.

Haha, welcome to my world MrsN - wine, read, sleep!

Nishant said...

I also enjoyed reading about your claim to fame. Pity your better half didn't get to the sliding doors bit!

Work From Home

Julia Phillips Smith said...

I love that shot of your husband taking footage of the trip. Reading your posts from your trips literally refreshes me. The next best thing to being there.

Akelamalu said...

Thanks Nishant - you echoed Dumdad!

I'm so pleased you enjoye my travelogues Julia x

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Akelamalu said...

Cheers Michalswarm