19th February Landing an aeroplane on TOM's head (Caribbean12)

 Maho Beach in Sint Maarten, Caribbean ...

So less that 12 hours after leaving amazing Antigua, we arrive at the island of St Martins. Pulling into port we were the third of 4 cruise ships in today including the monstrous (in both size and looks) wonder of the seas, one of the mega ships of the Royal Caribbean fleet. Full of almost 7,000 American’s, almost half of whom seem to be children, it looked to be our worst cruising nightmare.

Today we had our first organised on shore adventure called ‘Instagram able St Martins’, on a small mini bus with 15 other travellers and a very bubbly and enthusiastic tour guide called Cherylene. As with all tours it would have been good to spend longer in a few of the places but we got to see a whole lot of the island half Dutch, half French so weren’t complaining.

Stunning sweeping vistas at Lucas Bay look out, some very friendly iguanas, a gentle stroll around Marigot before heading for Maho beach. Now for those of you who don’t know, Maho beach is famous for the jet aircraft that land with their wheels almost scrapping the top of the hundreds of camera, video and phone clad tourists  gathered on the beach at the end of the runway. Then as any aircraft took off the thrust from the jet engines sent non securely located hats and the occasional person flying back into the sea.

We didn’t  witness any really big jets land whilst there but did catch 3 smaller private planes although whether we managed to capture anything on film / video is another matter.

On the return back to the ship where we stopped off at a couple more scenic viewpins, Cherlene recited some of her poetry and then led us in an impromptu singalong to Tina Turnare’s Proud Mary, Chic’s Celebrate good times and the Bob Marley song three little birds.

We had thought we might take the water taxi into Philisberg itself but to be honest we were both worn out we just headed for a late lunch on ship

Tonight was the last formal dinner night, and I have enjoyed these events, before we are heading to the on board  theatre for what was a second super show by the powerhouse Jo Little.

But the best way to end a great day in St Martin’s was simply to sit up on the 16thfloor sunset deck at the back of the boat, watching the other three ships that had been in port alongside us, leave for their next destinations ahead of us and literally sail away into a stunning Caribbean sunset. Just beautiful.

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