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APOLOGIES
Due to several technical problems last week (things really do come
in 3's!!) we were not able to produce and deliver the newsletter.
Hopefully you DID MISS it!!
We are back on track this week and things are running smoothly again.

CAPT. LOU RETURNS
WITH
ARTICLES, STORIES, PHOTOS,
AND TALES...SOME TALL
I.E.-PHOTO ABOVE IS CAPT. LOU
WORKING "HARD"
HE CLAIMS, WHEN IN OTHER COUNTRIES
IT IS COMMON COURTESY TO "OBSERVE"
CUSTOMS, TRADITIONS, AND "FASHIONS"
IN THIS PHOTO HE IS "OBSERVING FRENCH
BEACH FASHIONS!!"
IF YOU NEED MORE DETAILS,
EMAIL US!!
FYI-WIFE JUDY JOINED CAPT. LOU FOR
THE SECOND HALF OF HIS STAY ON THE ISLAND.
I WONDER WHY????????

Now let's see if he can still write articles after that "tough" beach assignment! Be sure to also check out the additional photos he brought back from his journey. (right side just below cruise specials)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

#1 Sint Maarten - Saint Martin
(Dutch & French side)

Hello from your contributing & traveling writer, "Capt. Lou"…off my boat "Texas Truck"… and "Deep in the Heart of the 24th Heineken Regatta" in Sint Maarten, Netherland Antilles, The Leeward Islands. Having seen over 250 racing yachts including some of the World’s Finest Yachts which have made their way here to this beautiful Island to compete in the sun for the fun, and of course, the recognition that comes with winning-- "the world’s most serious fun race." (More on the regatta next week)

Lots of you international cruise ship passengers were here also…And I do mean LOTS!

On one day, there were 8 ships docked or anchored in Great Bay, Philipsburg, NA. On other days only four or five might appear on the horizon as I drove each morning from the French side where I lived to the Dutch side where I WORKED. Each morning as I approached the mountain top overlooking the harbor, I’d slow down while Mamma--would throw my daily paper through my car window as I handed her the 50 cents--and then proceeded over the top to view the new days cruise ship arrivals. What a beautiful sight for a visitor to this superb island to see. And that was just one of the many magnificent views I got each day on my way to instruct at the Maritime School of the West Indies along side Simpson Bay Lagoon-Dutch side.

Your editor, my brother, Dan has always said that I must have some Karma with the World’s Largest Cruise Ship--Queen Mary 2. Well he may be right…because on the day when 8 ships were in, she was there-- as if to bring more spectators to the races. I was extremely excited since our paths had previously crossed in Southampton, England and in Ft Lauderdale, Florida… and now I was here for her inaugural visit to this beautiful Isle in Paradise.

Yours truly didn’t arrive on a cruise ship. However, I heartily recommend it as a mode of transportation to experience this fascinating destination. I was in Saint Martin to instruct several courses for mariners at MSWI--The Maritime School of the West Indies--www.MSWI.org. Wherever, we went--by land or by sea--the passengers were having the time of their lives. Most cruisers don’t get to experience food ashore because of the great meals aboard--but they really should visit one of the islands over 300 great eateries--French or Dutch. (I tried as many as I could-- with a few bars thrown in for good experience.)

So why two names? Sint Maarten, Saint Martin ?

As the sign says, "One Island, Many Cultures, One People"… but two countries on one island.

Sint Maarten is Dutch and encompasses 16 square miles, while Saint Martin is French and encompasses 21 square miles. There are no border controls. Since 1648, the only indications of control are merely signs that say French Side or Dutch Side. Two Governments, France & Netherlands control their respective sides.

Totally unconfirmed and unproven: a tall tale states that a Frenchman with a bottle of Wine and a Dutchman with a bottle of Gin, each started out from Oyster Pond (where Capt Lou lived for 30 days) each walking around the island in opposite directions would meet and that would be the Line between the two countries. Well, obviously the Gin had a little greater affect on the results-- because the Frenchman covered more territory!

From the islands highest point, Paradise Peak--1392 feet--on a clear day one can see 9 of Sint Maarten’s Caribbean neighboring Islands and many of her own 37 stunning beaches.

More on Sint Maarten and we’ll meet some of those neighbors next week. Hope you join Capt. Lou for the trip.

COUNTRY STATISTICS

Sint Maarten
Population: 40,000
Capital: Philipsburg
Language: Dutch (official), English
Currency: Netherland Antilles Guilder
US $ accepted everywhere
Electricity: 110 Volts (60 Hz)

Saint Martin
Population: 35,000
Capital: Marigot
Language: French (official), English
Currency: Euro
US $ accepted everywhere
(although it takes $ 1.30 that changes daily to equal a Euro, some shops & restaurants now accept $1 US = $1 Euro due to the loss of business)
Electricity: 220 Volts ( 60 Hz)

Thanks Capt. Lou for another great article!

More to come about Saint Martin, or Sint Maarten, whichever side you prefer, or as Capt. Lou found out, it doesn't really matter which side, both are amazing and wonderful!