St. Martin - W.I.

St. Martin is a fascinating mix of France and Holland which have shared the island since 1648.  About the size of Grand Blanc Township, the island split is approximately 60% French and 40% Dutch.  There are no boarder checks between the two sides of the island however the French region uses the Euro currency while the Dutch side uses the Netherlands Gilder.

The island is lush with a Caribbean beauty all its own.  With great beaches and tropical weather, it's not surprising that tourism accounts for 85% of their economies.

We docked in Philipsburg (Dutch capital) and drove 15 minutes across the island to Marigot (French capital).  It was Sunday morning so the only merchants open were street vendors and taverns.  Though the Euro and Gilder are the official currencies, everyone takes U.S. dollars.   The other noticeable difference was the Dutch side had casinos and no nude beaches, the French side had nude beaches and no casinos.  (You could either lose your money or lose your clothes.)

Good merchants know how to market.  The one thing every tour bus needs is a restroom stop.  Add a "free" rum-punch drink and you attract a captive audience.  Then offer ice cream (at an inflated price) and you have a successful business model.

In 2017, St. Martin was hit by hurricane Irma with 180 M.P.H. winds.  Two weeks later, hurricane Maria struck.  The marks of this one-two punch are still visible across the island.  This church, without it roof, was holding Sunday service under a tent.  This same church was used in a scene from the 1997 movie "Speed 2: Cruise Control".  (In the scene, an out of control ship crashed through the dock, continuing onto the shore before stopping just short of the church's bell tower, ringing the bell.)

More signs of the 2017 hurricane; damaged boats litter the shore line and the harbor.

The majority of St. Martin's residents lost all of their possessions. Most had no electric power for a year or more.  This street art reflects their strength and resilience. 

Nautical Term of the Day -- Three Sheets to the Wind

A "sheet" is a rope line which controls the tension on the downwind side of a square sail.  If, on a three-masted fully rigged ship, the sheets of the three lower-course sails are loose, the sails will flap and flutter and are said to be "in the wind."  A ship in this condition would stagger and wander aimlessly downwind.