Pearls of the Caribbean (3)

ITINERARY

27/02/2010 Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) 28/02/2010 Philipsburg (Sint Maarten - Netherlands Antilles) 28/02/2010 Philipsburg (Collectivity of Saint-Martin - French Antilles) 01/03/2010 Casa De Campo/La Romana (Dominican Republic) 02/03/2010 Catalina Island (Dominican Republic) 03/03/2010 Road Harbour (Tortola - British Virgin Islands) 04/03/2010 St.John's (Antigua - Antigua & Barbuda) 05/03/2010 St. Lucia Castries (Saint Lucia) 06/03/2010 Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe)

Costa excursion: Tour of the Island of Saint Maarten The programme includes an "interesting journey" from Philipsburg, capital of St. Maarten (the Dutch part of the island), to Marigot, capital of Saint Martin (the French part of the island). The tour was pleasant despite the local guide being a bit slapdash (not to say awful) and a bit too "pro-French" (to be tiresome even to DVD in this field, it takes a lot..!). Interesting is the island's architectural change, less evident the cultural one. Especially charming are the iguanas basking in the sun on the walls lining the main road. In Marigot everything is closed on Sundays, so we only saw the remains of Fort St. Louis. Before returning to the ship, the guide suggests we get off at Philipsburg. The bus continues to the pier, those who get off walk back on their own.

We gladly accept, to see a bit of the seafront and the little bars along it, where music, rum and above all sunshine are never in short supply. If we were to return to Sint Maarten, we'd go and see Princess Juliana International Airport, lying on the beach to "enjoy" the landings right along the beach (see link).

THANKS to Caterina and Matteo simply for this fantastic trip lived intensely together. THANKS to Valerio, Mathias and Renato for the feasts, the dives and the snacks shared with Matteo. THANKS to Adriano, Angela, Nadia, Dario and Sonia for the most pleasant and welcome company.