Day 2
Return Visit to The 'Two-Nation' Island

Ownership of this island is split between the Dutch and French. The southern half is Dutch while the northern is French. However, there is no real border here. People can just cross into either side freely. Though Dutch side is smaller in land area, it seems more prosperous. And almost all the cruise ships dock at the capital of the Dutch side: Philipsburg. I remember we had to take a smaller boat to Philipsburg 11 years ago because its port is not big enough for our giant ship to dock. Not anymore. This time Serenade of the Sea docks at the new terminal just east of Philispburg and there are many shops right inside the terminal area for us daytrippers.

11 years ago, after walking around Philipsburg for merely half an hour, Nelson and I decided to head directly to the French side. Dutch side was too commercialized and characterless, we thought (but there are a lot of duty-free shops if that's your thing). We arrived at Marigot, capital of French side by local bus (mini-van), which cost us only $1 each. We walked around and saw some French bistros and bars. Most of them were too expensive for us. We saw a fortress on top of the hill, so we walked up to have a closer look. Then it started to rain ... we had to run and hid ourselves in that 17th century fortress for next 45 minutes. The sky was gray with heavy dark clouds. We even felt a little chilly there. This was obviously not the typical Caribbean weather we expected (It was in June, so it's rainy season). That becomes the main impression of St. Martin I still have til' this day.

But today, the weather is much nicer. The temperature is 28C (83F) and breezy. However, being alone in this trip and to a place that is not new at all, I don't even feel excited. I did not even know if I should get off the ship since I had no intention to re-visit either Philipsburg and Marigot. However, I had promised my friend Paolo I would mail a postcard for him from here, so I eventually left the ship to buy stamps.

Accidentally, the taxi stand is loacted just next to the postal box. After inquiring prices and destinations, I jumped on a mini-van shared taxi and headed to Orient Beach. With $7 each way per person (if there are more than 3 people), it is not really that cheap. Well, I miss the Balkans!

Orient Beach is the most famous NUDE beach on St. Martin and it is located at the Northeastern side of the island (French side by the way). As I said, I am not really a beach person and I don't go nude in public (:P), this visit would be more like a "spectator event" for me....The beach is okay but a little too crowded the water is nicely blue but still a little muddy; however, people on the beach are not all that beautiful. while there are many bars and restaurants along the beach, they are all quite expensive. There was a band playing raggae music in one of the beach bars but songs they palyed are those cheesy Caribbean staples. I was sort of ready to leave after like, 40 minutes.

Well, I had to wait for another two hours when my cab driver return to pick our group up. I tried to find other people to share cab but they were all have their own groups already. The return trip would cost another $7. After spening $14 (plus tip) and doing not much for 3 and half hours, now, I start to feel bitchy (not beachy)... What am I doing here? I should have stayed on board (there is a nude section on board too, mind you.)

The ship doesn't leave St. Martin until 10 pm, but most people are back by 7pm. There is a "Singles' Dinner" in the upper level of the Reflection Dining Room. Though I did not plan to go, the waiter on the lower level suggested me to go after I walked in and said "Table for One, please." "You may meet a special someone. Then, you can ask table for two in the next 6 nights." Oh, whatever....

This "singles' dinner' turned out to be the most awkward dining experience in years. As possibly the only single Asian guy, I could feel that my tablemates had absolutely no interest in me. That may be okay with me since this happens to me quite often in North America. However, after a waiter told me I could not choose my entree in this dinner (while people dining downstairs can have choice of ducks or salmon) because people later will switch tables several times, I started to feel even bitchier . I had to settle for a relatively bland chicken dish while listening to people surrounding me flirting with each other. Not a great experience.

It is great that entertainment that night was "Comedy Showcase." Though some jokes are quite gross, I do need some good laugh after a such frustrating day, both on land and on board.

Maybe because I was too upset tonight, I forgot to attend the on-board Karaoke event (usually one of few things I enjoy very much and can make those who rarely notices find my talent.) Now I feel further bitchier ....

Well, tomorrow is another day. And tomorrow, I will visit a new country.

A New Cruise Terminal: Different from back in 1996, now Phlipsburg, St. Martin (or Sint Maarten in Dutch) has a large cruiseship terminal to welcome us.

This is the beginning of the "nude" section of Orient Beach. No photo is allowed after this point (but they still allow you have your clothes on)

But I still managed to take some pictures of the nude beach. But I had to do this from far away, so I did not make myself like an asshole...

There are a lot activities you can choose on Orient Beach, including this one. However, I feel they are all sort of expensive and these activities make the beach too commercialized.

After awhile, I felt so bored (but not able to leave) that I started to take pictures of wild flowers along the rocky coast

A Wall full of conches of different sizes. I am not sure if someone was selling them or they are free to give away. I did not take away any of them.

Back to the Dutch side, I took a walk along the beach one block from Philipsburg's main shopping street.