We left Ft. Lauderdale 3 hours late on Monday night after waiting for other delayed passengers. MS Noordam is small for a scariness cruise ship - 1900 passengers and 820 crew....nothing compared to some of the 6000 passenger ships that we have heard about. The executive officers are all European and the balance of the crew mainly from Indonesia and ThePhilippines. Strange to think of young people from Bali heading off to the Caribbean whine they live in such an exotic place.
There is lots to do on board, and Marlene has been working out and walking, but I have been content to eat and lie reading in the shade on the promenade deck.
So, St. Maarten. A 39 square mile island that is half French and half Dutch and colonialism is alive and well. We opted for a ship-sponsored event, a downhill trek from the top of Pic Paradise (Paradise Peak) on the French side of the island. Our guide, Claudette, met us at the pier and the 16 of us who were doing the trek were transported most of the way in a bus, transferring to a truck for the climb to the top of the hill. We sat on planks on the back of the truck with no sign of a seatbelt as we edged our way slowly up the side of the hill.
Claudette was born on the French side, lives on the Dutch side and speaks neither language, but she does speak English, Spanish and a local Creole dialect. Claudette regaled us with stories and much information about the island, it's people and history.
From the top we had great views of St. Martin, Anguilla and St. Bart's.
The trek down was very steep and slippery after a rain shower passed through. At least 4 people slipped and fell but thankfully we both stayed upright. We dried quickly in the 27 C heat.
After the trek and a rum punch (sans rum) we walked around downtown Philipsbug and then walked back to the ship for a 2:30 PM departure.
Overall a great day out!
We set sail for St. Lucia at 4 PM after again waiting for latecomers.
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