Philipsburg, Sint Maarten - the Dutch side

Day 5 – 12 December 2025 – Sint Maarten

 

Day began with a crew drill, which included putting a “cleared” sign on each cabin door.  With some 750 to 1000 cabins, that is a HUGE job!  I’ve seen it previously, but never was fast enough before to get a photo – finally managed to do that today.

 

The way in to Philipsburg, capital of Sint Maarten (the Dutch side of the island shared with the French) from the ship dock is a water taxi – roughly 100 passengers, a whopping $7 US for a round trip.  I love taking either the ship’s tender or a water taxi to town, it’s like a little bonus boat ride!

 

There were two docks in town, one at the far end and one closer to the ships.  We first arrived at the dock on the far end of town, so I walked on the beach and in the shallow water for a bit, then up to the main street (Front Street).  SO gorgeous to dip my toes in that lovely aqua water, and walk on the packed powdery sand.  Plus it was a fairly empty beach at the far end, despite all the chairs and umbrellas set out by the waterfront hotels.  I guess it was too early for dedicated sunbathing tourists or something.

 

My plan was to look for Delft stars of David, which I’ve bought here before.  I walked up and down the street, in and out of shops, talking to people, but never did find any stars of David, only some five pointed stars in the one Delft shop still in town.  Oh well, no new Chanukah stars for me.

 

I found plenty of murals all around town.  One man on the street actually stopped traffic so I could take a photo without traffic, which I found quite amusing.  The sea creatures and waves mural was painted on two sides of an alley, creating almost a Moses crossing the Red Sea effect!  Really, it was amazing!  Aqua and blue waves, with some creatures in color, others mere black shadows in the depths of the ocean.  I met two women from our cruise ship as I was taking photos of this long mural – and one of the women was named Phoebe!  So there were three Phebes/Phoebes on our ship!!! 

 

Wandering in Philipsburg, I chatted with people in stores, on the sidewalk, wherever.  Walked past an old church and funeral, gave someone my condolences.  (Being in the Caribbean, he thanked me, and didn't think it was odd.)  Passed the old courthouse building, no information on the age but it definitely looked like an old traditional building. 

 

Of course, all that walking brings on an appetite.  I found a lovely little French mini bistro, two tables inside and five tables outside for a light lunch.  Had a lovely broccoli quiche and side salad, with an orangina to drink.  (I wanted to have an iced decaf, but the coffee machine was giving the café owner problems so he asked what else I’d like.)  More walking, so I had a cooling snack of gelato in a garden that had a carambola tree (star fruit).  I’ve never seen carambola growing before, so that was pretty interesting.  Plus there was another mural in the gelateria’s garden.

 

Eventually, I walked back to the in-town water taxi dock – I rode back to the dock and chatted with an older woman who is from the Blackfoot Nation in northern Montana.  (I told her I was from the Tribe of Judah.  I’m not sure if she really comprehended what I was talking about.)

 

Over all, I walked a bit over four miles.  And slightly sunburned on my cheeks.  Definitely time to buy a sunhat, since I forgot to pack mine!

 

I also sketched a little composite image of Sint Maarten, with the Dutch gabled buildings behind the beach umbrellas.  Not realistic, but capturing the feeling of this lovely half-island nation.