Going to St Maarten

[mtb1bkr]

We're going to St. Maarten for a week in December for a little family vacation. My dad has been there a couple of times but this will be the first for the wife, kids and myself. Has anyone ever been there and enjoyed the landings. Check out the video.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAfQwDizpRo

Bill

 

[sjmjax]

Spent some time there quite a few years ago. Had a wonderful time but couldn't give you much advice that would be valuable today. I stayed on the French side. Got to love the topless beaches! But did tour the whole island. Dutch side was very nice and appears a bit more "prosperous".

I did spend time down near the beach at the end of the runway. They didn't have the exhaust blast shields in place back then. Don't know if people were just that clueless or did it on purpose but it was quite amusing watching people literally blown off their beach towels or chairs and into the water by the jet exhausts on takeoff.

Hope you have a great time. Be sure to post an update and pictures on your return. Been thinking about going back myself.

 

[Texas Star]

Isn't that where that blonde American chick disappeared several years ago? Her mother and the media kept the search going for a long time. A Dutch guy may have murdered her, but some think she was sold to be a prostitute in the region.

Be careful.

T-Star

 

[winchester1]

We were there last January, what a beautiful place. Words can't describe it till you see it yourself. We were at St Thomas as well and I actually liked it better, could have spent more time at both places. I hope the weather is nice for you, enjoy yourself and make sure you post some pics.

 

[Bob R]

Isn't that where that blonde American chick disappeared several years ago?

That was Aruba.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aruba

bob

 

[LenS]

We used to own time-sharing at Pelican Resort & Casino (1983-2000) and go down there 2x/year. IIRC, our last trip there was in 1996.

It can be a fun trip/island but just be aware of a few things:

- Drugs and crime have sky-rocketed there. What was safe to do when we first started going there became much less safe back in the 1990s.

- There really is no effective law enforcement or Customs on the island, so many enterprising thieves take a small boat to St. Maarten/Ste. Martin and hit the tourists.

- If you drive to one of the many beautiful beaches, expect the rental car to be broken into . . . so leave nothing at all in the car and travel light to the beach as if you leave anything unattended on the beach it might be stolen as well. [The thieves are so brazen that one was rifling the car parked next to me while I was in my car. When we returned to my car a few hours later, it had been broken into also (but I left nothing).]

- Don't drive the "low road" as thieves were cutting people off and robbing them at gunpoint (guns aren't legal to possess on the island but we all know how well that works) on a regular basis. The Gendarmes did run checkpoints, but it's a cat and mouse game.

- With children this may not be likely for you, but do NOT walk in areas where there aren't other people around, even in Downtown Philipsburg!

- Be alert and aware of your surroundings and enjoy yourself.

 

[sjmjax]

Thanks for the update on the situation on St. Maarten.

Pretty depressing. I'd hoped to one day take a year or two to cruise the Caribbean on a sailboat. From your report and others I've read, sounds like I'd be safer cruising around Chicago or Detroit. Beginning to sound like the whole world is turning ugly.