Friday, August 1, 2014

St Maarten Offers Beauty And Adventure

By Annabelle Holman


When some people conjure a vision of a perfect vacation, they often see exotic locations, grand adventures, intriguing nightlife, beautiful beaches and lots of sun. The Caribbean offer many islands, each full of charm, for travelers to choose between. St Maarten is one of those and its scenery and adventures are among the best available anywhere.

This small Caribbean haven is the world's tiniest land mass to be under the ownership of two different nations simultaneously. Measuring just thirty-seven square miles, the island is the territory of both The Netherlands Antilles and France. For several hundred years the people have coexisted peacefully with this split, actually finding ways to make it beneficial.

Approximately two thirds of this island is the property of France and a member of the European Community. The remainder is held by the Dutch and falls under the realm belonging to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The dual owners have had an arrangement for over 350 years that has helped to feed the area's success and promote peaceful coexistence.

A portion of that success is possible in part because there is practically no separation of community, no physical borders to mar the incredible landscape or make visitors feel uncomfortable or limited. They are free to travel the whole mass and enjoy all the wonderful sites, attractions or activities the island has to offer. This small space is practically bursting with things to see and do.

The year long, near perfect environment for enjoyment and relaxation is one of the island's more popular attributes. The tropical climate offers plenty of sunshine and temperatures that go between mid range sixties as the lows, to sometimes close to one hundred for a high, though the average runs about a pleasant seventy-eight degrees Fahrenheit. The heat is often disrupted by short and sudden rain showers in the afternoons which set the atmosphere for a wonderful evening.

The scenery is breathtaking and one of the things this paradise is best known for. The central mountain range dominates most of the island's interior and provides incredible landscapes for exploring, hiking, zip lining or taking time to commune with nature. The winding roads that weave through the rolling hills pass through multiple small villages that present the opportunity for shopping and local charm.

All around the island are some of the most incredible white sanded beaches ever seen. The largest in the Caribbean, Simpson Bay Lagoon is a prime spot for prime relaxation. With the exception of just two narrow, draw bridge spanned channels, the area is completely landlocked yet holds a sizable fleet of luxurious yachts and still boasts ample room for the vessels to actually take a casual sail.

Whether taking a dip in the turquoise waters or riding a horse through the hills, there are adventures to be had for visitors of all types. To observe and commune with a variety of tropical fish of any color, snorkel among the living corals or to dive in the caves is to know the true beauty on the island. Ferries make daily jaunts to the neighboring land masses of St. Eustatius, St. Barths, Saba and Anguilla.




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