Caribbean Holiday

Dateline: 06/20/97

Have you noticed a gap in my feature articles? Well... this is because I've been vacationing far from Iowa and away from my computer. My husband, Joe, and I arrived on Saint Martin - Sint Maarten June 10th for a glorious two week holiday. The island is shared by two cultures, the French and the Dutch. For the past ten days we have enjoyed glorious sunshine, swam naked in the ocean, munched on fresh mangoes and pineapples, dined on superb French cuisine, and sipped contentedly on the island rum. We have basically forgotten everywhere outside of this mountainous isle. It is early afternoon and I am escaping the intense sunlight by sitting in the shade of the sea grape trees that border the crescent shoreline of the Caribbean ocean just a few steps from our hotel room.

When I packed for our get-a-way I threw in some books that I figured would occupy some of my time, but the beauty of this place has swallowed me up and I can't keep my nose in a book for more than two minutes. I find my eyes diverting up to the blue skies and gradually sinking into the depths of the distant sea waves. I lazily watch the sites of sailboats passing, sunbathing crabs on nearby rocks, pelicans diving into the ocean for a fish feast. Every moment here has been personally fulfilling and healing.

I spend some time each day walking along the beach collecting handfuls of seashells. Our breakfasts are eaten outdoors at an ocean view cafe. A morning dip in the blue ocean among the fishes and occasional snorkelers has become one of my greatest pleasures. Lunches are enjoyed at the beach side lo-los (barbecue stands) or we escape to the the air-conditioned hotel room and snack on conch salad and homemade French breads with cheese and wine. Many local establishments shut down between the hours of 1 and 3 (these hours are the hottest of the day) in the afternoon and the streets of Grand Case and Marigot become empty and quiet. Beautiful sunsets are looked forward to each evening. In the evenings we treat ourselves to delightfully prepared meals in the many French restaurants lining the streets of Grand Case that feature main courses of lobster, monkfish, shrimp, scallops, salmon, etc. Creole style poached red snapper and the grilled marlin with avocados have been my favorites entrees.

One afternoon we secured a rental car and drove up to the highest peak, Paradise Peak, that rises from the center of St.Martin at a height of 1,400 feet. The gravel road is not in the best of conditions...and although I was a bit wary of the narrow roadway for chance a vehicle would be coming along in the opposite direction we experienced no mishaps driving up the mountain or returning. The view was less than divine due to hazy skies but nonetheless.....eventful and fun.

We also spent a day in Philipsburg on the Dutch side of the island which is a port for the cruise lines. St. Martin is duty free and shoppers do take advantage of the many jewelry and clothing shops here. Shopping is not my usual idea of an enjoyable adventure but this day I happily found a peridot that I mentioned I have been wanting in my Crystal Attraction feature. Our holiday here in the Caribbean was planned in celebration of our tenth wedding anniversary. Joe helped me choose a marquise cut gem that is now adorning the index finger of my left hand. The Dutch side of the island with its casinos and night life do seem to have more activity including bumper to bumper traffic that we have avoided since that day.

Tomorrow is the Summer Solstice and our plan is to visit the neighboring Isle of Anquilla. When I realized that we would be in the Caribbean during the Solstice I knew I would want to try to hook up with some healers on the isle and perhaps join in on any planned events of this day. On the morning following our arrival I met up with the masseuse at the hotel. Mair, a British woman, who offers massages and artwork at our hotel gift shop knew of a resident named Jane who is a Reiki practitioner. Unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to meet up with Jane. Mair also informed us that there would be a celebration in Grand Case on the 21st. We have often bumped into Mair through our days and in our frequent conversations discovered that she and I share the same birthday... a fun coincidence!

This island adventure has been the most relaxing vacation we have ever experienced. We have conversed with couples here who tell us that they return here often as there is no better place to fully relax. One lady told me that she and her husband has been visiting St. Martin every summer for seventeen years......Wow! June is actually the off season for the Caribbean so the rates are lower, also the tourist population is down which we like. Peak season is December through April. Many of the return vacationers told us of how much of the beauty of the island had been lost due to the hurricane, and signs of damage are here.....but the overall beauty overrides.