St Martin/St Maarten

We arrived in Simpson Bay on March 20th with the intention of spending a few days in a marina to charge up our batteries and fill up with water. Simpson Bay Yacht Club Marina turned out to be cheaper to stay for a week than for four days so we decided to stay a little longer. Both of us had picked up a nasty cold in Gustavia and were happy to have a peaceful few days until we had recovered. It is quite incredible having the same old cold symptoms of feeling shivery etc., that you associate with a Scottish Winter, in 32 degrees! We didn't feel much like sightseeing or anything else for several days, but discovered a cinema across the road from the marina, so we saw 'Time Machine' and 'Ice Age' while we were recuperating.

A few days later, we took a local bus into Philipsburgh, the capital of the Dutch side of the island. There are only two main streets, all duty free shopping aimed at cruise ships. We did however find the Guavaberry Emporium and sampled a few cocktails made from Guavaberry rum. On the return trip, we were entertained by a drunk on the bus who persuaded the bus driver to stop at a bar along the way, so he could get another beer. The bus driver was happy to oblige as long as he could get one too.

The following day we took a bus to Marigot on the French side. Marigot is also full of duty free shops, but has a great variety of restaurants around the marina. We went to the large supermarket and stocked up on wine for our trip to the British Virgin islands where most things are very expensive. This was also the last chance for us to get refills for campingaz. There is an interesting craft market on the waterfront. Chickens are all over the streets around the market. These chickens, enjoying the leftovers from KFC are obviously big into canabolism! We also had a look at the new, very chic, West Indies Mall, filled with incredibly silly looking outfits with even more rediculous price tags.