anguillashopping in st martin

PO Box 3119, St. James, Barbados, W.I.
Tel: 1 (246) 434 3434 E-mail: info@skyviews.com

St.Martin/St.Maarten
Blowing Point ferryport	St.Martin/St.Maarten is just 5 minutes by plane or 15 minutes by ferryboat from Blowing Point ferryport in Anguilla. The ferry leaves every 30 minutes from 7:30am and costs US$10.00 by day and US$12.00 in the evening. There is a departure tax at both ends of US$2.00 a person so do have some cash to hand. St.Martin/St.Maarten is the smallest island in the world to be divided between two sovereign powers: One half is Dutch and the other half is French. The island is quite different from Anguilla and the Dutch and French sides are culturally distinct from each other. Each side has its own charm, and taking each side in turn you can see what they have to offer
The French Side Above all, it is decidedly french. The ferryboat arrives at Marigot and the Gallic atmosphere is instantly noticeable; the atmosphere of the cafŽs and pastry shops is similar to a French market town on the Mediterranean. has plenty of good restaurants preparing cuisine in the classic french tradition but also offering american, caribbean and international cuisines. The shops in Marigot, located around the Marina Port La Royale in the southwestern portion of the town, offer tropical and designer fashions and accessories at duty-free prices. Nearby, the 'St. Martin Museum, On the Trail of The Arawaks' documents the Arawak Indian settlement of St. Martin dating back to 1800 BC. As in Anguilla it displays artifacts such as jewellery, beautiful ceramics, rock carvings and even a recreation of a 1500 year old local burial site. It also has more recent historical displays. Tour guides speak both english and french. There is also a gift shop and art gallery upstairs.
The Butterfly Farm, St. Martin	On the East of the French side near Galion Beach lies The Butterfly Farm and for nature lovers this is an unexpected treat. A micro-ecosystem has been created with beautiful landscaped gardens, a waterfall, ponds, japanese fish and peaceful music. Butterflies from all over the world populate this environment and go about their life-cycle from courtship dances, laying eggs, emerging from their chrysali to taking their first flight. There are informative guided tours plus a gift shop and a small refreshments bar. Photographers are most welcome. It's open from 9.00am to 4:30pm.
The Dutch Side Philipsburg is a good half-hour from Marigot so you will either need to rent a car or grab a taxi. In many ways it is Front Street in Philipsburg that captures the atmosphere of the Dutch side well; the street and its little alleyways (or steegjes as the Dutch call them) are bustling with activity and lined with colourful shops. The duty free deals are generally accepted as the best in the Caribbean on the vast array of goods (cameras, walkmans, stereos, watches, jewellery, leather goods, computers, and phones just to name a few). Do note that H.M.Customs Anguilla reserve the right to hold duty free items for you until you eventually leave Anguilla, so don't be perturbed if the item(s) are put in their storeroom on your return.There are a number of good restaurants and bars in walking distance of Front Street where you can cool off with a 'Dutch Coffee'- it comes in a green bottle with the word "Heineken" written on it. There is a small museum at the end of Front Street - the Sint Maarten Museum showing the history and culture of the island in a series of changing exhibits. If you don't get the chance to visit the museum in Marigot, you can take the opportunity to visit this one.
Visiting St.Martin/St.Maarten can be very rewarding if you are looking for a brief change of pace and a unique juxtaposition of cultures. When the day is over you can catch the ferry or your plane back to Anguilla and return once again to blissful peace.