ST. MAARTEN, WE LOVE YOU!

Monday, January 15, 2018--Martin Luther King Day

St. Maarten, Caribbean Sea

Sunny, 85F

When we disembarked from the Sunshine about 10 a.m., it was raining lightly, but soon St. Maarten welcomed us with its own sunshine and warmth. From our ship’s balcony I saw blue tarps on roofs, construction materials, and a little different outline on the shore, but I was shocked when we walked into the city. Some say this island suffered the worst during the two hurricanes in September 2017, Irma and Maria, an island finding itself and trying to reconstruct. Ours was the only cruise ship in port today.

Since we have visited this island many times, we knew how it had changed. Many shops are shuttered closed, others are rebuilding, and some are open. The hotels right on the beach were truly affected and some have not yet reopened. In the past we would walk along the shore on a wide sidewalk lined with palm trees. Hotels and their open air restaurants and colorful umbrellas in the sand would be filled with customers enjoying cool drinks. Now many palm trees are struggling to grow back their fern like fronds, the beaches are almost empty, and only a few hotels are open. One shop clerk told us that there has been a dramatic change for the better in the past three weeks.

Donna and I did some damage to our credit cards—she sure loves London Blue diamonds! She was buying something for her daughter and I decided to make the same purchase surprise for both our two daughters in law. TK loves the Cariloha bamboo shirts. After some significant shopping to help the economy, I wanted to see the area where we always have lunch. I was very happy to see that the Green House was doing well. They told us they had suffered water damage and our server said her home had severe roof damage. What is most remarkable about the residents is their spirit-grateful they and their loved ones survived the storms. Our server told us 200 residents died in St. Martin, the French nation that shares this island with St. Maarten, the Dutch nation.

I had my DSLR camera with me, but decided not to take any photos except one sign at the port, “St. Maarten Loves You,” on a building being reconstructed. I hope to post that photo when Internet is better.