March 24
This island caught between two countries is interesting. Owned by the French on one end and the Dutch on the other makes it fun. If you are in a boat and go to both sides you must clear customs and immigration at each entry point. If you are in a car you can drive wherever you like, no problem.
Our first night we anchored in Sint Marteen on the Dutch side, just outside the lagoon. The lagoon is controlled by bridges on both ends that open sporadically. We didn’t want to get inside and not be able to get back out without seeing what it was like. We had been advised that anchor holding was not that great and as we wouldn’t be at a marina that was a key issue.
We took the dinghy inside for dinner at a quirky little restaurant called Snoopy’s and to check out said lagoon. There really wasn’t a good place to anchor as there are so many derelicts leftover from Irma. Add to that our anchorage outside was really rolly and the next morning we decided to move north to the French side into a more protected area.
You guessed it. We had to clear in and out of customs and immigration at both ends with associated fees. Oh well. The new anchorage was much better and we stayed a few days. Had a wonderful dinner at a cute little French restaurant one night.
St Martin
The storm damage is much more prevalent on the French side than the Dutch. Either way it continues to be heartbreaking seeing destroyed buildings and homes, damaged boats everywhere.
