Guest Post by Leah of Keep Your Sunnyside Up

When Katie asked if I would do a guest post while she was in St. Maarten attending a friend's wedding I was ecstatic. First of all, I think Katie's Caribbean adventure is amazing. Although I do know it would come with many challenges, I would love to have the opportunity to live on an island in the Caribbean. Second of all, I've been to St. Maarten a couple of times and I was so glad Katie wanted me to share my adventures with all of you!

The first time I was lucky enough to make it to St. Maarten I was 17 and in high school. I was on a cruise with my parents. While in St. Maarten, we went over to Orient Beach, which is located on the French side of the island. Orient Beach is part nude beach so that was quite an experience at my young age. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures from that trip, I think they are all at my parent's house. Those were the ancient days before I owned a digital camera.

Lucky enough, I was back in St. Maarten last April and I have lots and lots of pictures from that trip! Last April I went on another cruise and St. Maarten happened to be one of the stops on our itinerary. We came into port on the Dutch side. From the pier, we took a ferry to the main part of Philipsburg. 

Morning view from our balcony

Catching a ferry to town

Shopping around

We shopped around Philipsburg for awhile and decided to take a cab to Marigot, 

a town on the French side of the island. 

We had never been to Marigot before and thought we would explore someplace new. 

When we got to Marigot, we found marinas, flea markets and eateries.

View as we drove into Marigot

The flea markets were full of fresh fruits and veggies, spices and jewelry. 

It was one of the best island flea markets I've been to!

The views from Marigot were amazing. 

As we left Marigot to go back to port, the drive was very scenic.
I was quick enough to capture the harbor where the cruise ships were docked.

The color of the water in St. Maarten was incredible.
Before we caught the ferry to go back to the ship, we stopped for a drink on the beach.

As we sailed off into the sunset, I couldn't get enough of St. Maarten. 

I stayed on the balcony of our ship for what seemed like forever just staring and taking pictures. 

I didn't want to leave St. Maarten!

And for your reference, a small map of St. Maarten so you can see the places I've been:

Orient Beach, Philipsburg and Marigot.

I wish I could be in Katie's flip flops right now, enjoying some time on St. Maarten. 

I can't wait to get back there some day. 

St. Maarten is a great place to visit and I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance. 

Thank you Katie for having me and a big thank you to all of her lovely readers 

for letting me share my St. Maarten experiences with you!

Thank you Leah, for being my first Guest Poster! I really appreciate the time & thought you put into this post, and will have a Carib for you tonight. Dear Readers, if you haven't met Leah yet take a second & go visit her!