Arriving in Saint Martin

We take a quick break in Saint Martin, a Caribbean island approximately 300 km (186 miles) east of Puerto Rico and shared by France (Saint Martin) and the Netherlands (Sint Maarten).  Sint Martin is one of the four countries that form the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Collectivity of Saint Martin is an overseas collectivity of the French Republic.

We fly into Princess Juliana International Airport on the Dutch side and drive over to our hotel in Grand Case on the French side of the island, arriving in the late afternoon and wandering the hotel grounds at our hotel, the Grand Case Beach Club, admiring the view.

View from our room

Looking back at the hotel

Secluded niches along the shore

At the pool

Along the beach

Soon, the sun begins to set, lighting up the sky.

Sunset

We spent the good part of a day getting here, changing planes in Miami.  Now, we can just relax and enjoy a few days in paradise.  But first, dinner.  We dine at the hotel, on a porch overlooking the bay.  I spy octopus with egg and assorted vegetables on the men and have to try it.  I'm amazed - this is a combination I would never dream of and it is really good!

Grilled octopus with egg

After dinner, we stroll the short distance back to our room and admire the night over the sea and the bay.

Night along the water

We're only here for a few days and will spend them on the French side of the island, enjoying the beaches and the great food in the restaurants of Grand Case.

The next morning