Ile Fourche to Simpsons Bay on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten was a shot sail of about 15 miles, we took it very slowly and enjoyed a gentle sail to arrive in time for the 11.00 Bridge into the Lagoon.
The Lagoon is half Dutch and half French, both sides have a huge number of marine services including marinas and anchorage areas. We had heard it was much cheaper to be on the French side but depth can be an issue so we had planned to try and anchor on the Dutch side however we were trying to find a spot when the second bridge into the French side opened and the bridge operator thought we wanted to go through and started calling us on the radio to proceed on the starboard side..... so instead of argue we looked at each other and said oh well let's see if we can find a spot in France! We actually ended up anchoring right on the border (just in France we think??) and a cruiser stopped by to suggest we switch to the French flag and clear into France for 2 euro at the chandlers in Marigot rather than a much larger fee plus daily rate on the Dutch side - that sounded good to us!!
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| Bridge into Sint Maarten Lagoon |
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| Lagoonies Dinghy Dock and Bar |
As we motored through the lagoon we spotted Spirit in one of the marina's so agreed to check out Lagoonies for happy hour that night.
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| Happy Hour at Lagoonies |
The week we spent in St Martin really was all about re-provisioning and getting organised for the next period of our cruising until we get to the US. First Askari got a big spring clean inside and out, laundry was done, we both had a clean at the dentist and I got my hair done for the first time in ages.
One of our many trips to various supermarkets was pretty hilarious - we were told we could walk to the Carrefour if we took the dinghy too the end of the bridge; just a short distance from our anchorage spot. So we ended up locking Askooby to a rusty wreck on the shore, wading through thick mud to finally get to the rocks where we could clean our feet ready for the short walk - returning with bulging shopping bags to load the dinghy in the mud again. The glamour of this life...... We did however get some seriously good food and even some champagne so it was declared a success (although we haven't done it again).
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| .Pink Iguana |
The bars around the lagoon are all really interesting and quite different, all with different happy hours that run from 11am in the morning - the Pink Iguana is one which is right across from the airport terminal so we went to check it out for James' arrival. It was originally a tug in New York but has been in Sint Maarten for 4 years as a bar.
We found this useful guide to all the happy hours!! We decided that the beer get's more expensive the closer you get to the beach - Lagoonies was our favourite with $1 beers and $2 rum punches in happy hour.
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| Happy Hour Schedule |
The French side of the lagoon is pretty 'crusty' - lots of the boats don't go anywhere, there are many without masts or broken masts and a huge number in disrepair. We thought Askari looked a bit out of place then we spotted Albatros - we met Manfred on his Oyster 825 also completed last year the night before they were due to leave to cross back over the Atlantic - we ready about him earlier this year as he has completed the ARC 20 times!! We got to see her go through the bridge the next morning...
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| Albatross leaving the French side |
We did have some time off too and had some nice lunches out and one day, on the the advice of Dan we met in Marigot Bay, St Lucia, went to Karakters a really nice beach bar with loungers on Simpson Bay Beach - plans to spend a whole day here were made.
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| Karakters |
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| Simpson Bay Beach |
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| Simpson Bay Lagoon Moonrise |
Our last night before James arrived we popped out for a quick beer at The Dinghy Dock, where we met Christopher and Karen. A friendship was quickly formed and we were having such a laugh we all went out to dinner at this fabulous spot in a car park where we ate the best shwarma feast I have ever tasted - Chris's son and a friend were flying in and met us back at the dock for just one last cocktail.....
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| At Little Jerusalem |
Then the day arrived we had been waiting for, Andrew's son James had just turned 18 and decided to pop out and spend a week with us before he gets into serious studying for his A'levels. We picked him up at the Pink Iguana - he was a bit surprised, in our old life we would have limo's pick us up from the airport. He quickly ditched his city clothes and despite being a bit pale adapted to the cruising style - first night burgers and rm punch at Lagoonies, then we left the next morning for St Barts again.
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| James Arrives - first legal beer with his Dad |
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| First Rum Punch |
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| Leaving Simpson Bay Lagoon - yachts galore on the Dutch side |
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