The red arrow marks Anse Marcel, the inlet where Taka Trois is based.
Time is a funny thing when I consider that the two weeks we needed to cross the Atlantic seemed to take forever at times, but the four weeks we have been here in St. Martin have just flown by! In any case, it is high time that I share with you a little about Taka Trois' home.
Satellite view of St. Martin
This island is unique in that has been shared peacefully by France and Holland for over 350 years with English as the dominant language. The Euro is the official currency on the French side, while the Netherlands Antillean Gulden is the currency used on the Dutch side. Both countries however, will accept the U.S. dollar with often widely varying exchange rates--crazy! It is a mystery to us how these two countries continue to exist side by side, apparently so comfortably. The border between north and south, usually marked by a discreet signpost, is hardly noticeable and we never cease to be amused by how seamlessly we cross back and forth between the two countries by land or by sea often several times a day.
Ok, here's your history lesson: First settled by Arawak Indians who arrived from South America and the Carib Indians eventually followed and they named the island "Soualiga," or Land of Salt. Christopher Columbus (on his second voyage to the New World) spotted the island in 1493, on the feast day of Saint Martin of Tours, thus the modern name.
The Dutch arrived in the 1620s and began to harvesting and exporting the island's salt ponds. Salt being such a valuable commodity, the Spanish and the French arrived soon afterwards to get a piece of the action and for the next 20 years, the three countries fought over control of the island. In 1648 the French and the Dutch drove the Spanish off the island for good and agreed to divide it between themselves.
Local legend says that to divide the island, it was agreed that a Frenchman would walk south, starting at the northern tip of the island while a Dutchman would walk north, starting from the southernmost point. Where they eventually met, would be the dividing line. Apparently the Frenchman brought a bottle of wine to drink along the way (but of course!), while the Dutchman drank beer while he walked and as he had to make frequent stops to pee, the French got the larger share of the island!
Until the end of 18th century, the island's main economy came from salt and sugarcane but today the island’s main industry is tourism, not surprising considering its many beautiful beaches and surrounding blue turquoise seas. The Dutch side is a lively place with an abundance of high rises, beach resorts, bars, casinos, shopping venues and nightlife. Philipsburg, the capital, hosts the port and large cruise ship docks.
The French side, where Taka Trois is moored, is more under-stated and relaxed with a touch of sophistication. The resorts and beaches tend to be quieter and more secluded. Marigot, its main town, has a Mediterranean atmosphere with open-air markets, shops, cafes, and excellent restaurants lining the waterfront. It is a place where we love to walk around enjoying the atmosphere and have a hot chocolate and a croissant or a glass of rosé wine in one of the charming little cafés. It's a taste of home, France that is, with all the warmth of the Caribbean--sheer bliss!
The Dutch arrived in the 1620s and began to harvesting and exporting the island's salt ponds. Salt being such a valuable commodity, the Spanish and the French arrived soon afterwards to get a piece of the action and for the next 20 years, the three countries fought over control of the island. In 1648 the French and the Dutch drove the Spanish off the island for good and agreed to divide it between themselves.
Local legend says that to divide the island, it was agreed that a Frenchman would walk south, starting at the northern tip of the island while a Dutchman would walk north, starting from the southernmost point. Where they eventually met, would be the dividing line. Apparently the Frenchman brought a bottle of wine to drink along the way (but of course!), while the Dutchman drank beer while he walked and as he had to make frequent stops to pee, the French got the larger share of the island!
Until the end of 18th century, the island's main economy came from salt and sugarcane but today the island’s main industry is tourism, not surprising considering its many beautiful beaches and surrounding blue turquoise seas. The Dutch side is a lively place with an abundance of high rises, beach resorts, bars, casinos, shopping venues and nightlife. Philipsburg, the capital, hosts the port and large cruise ship docks.
The French side, where Taka Trois is moored, is more under-stated and relaxed with a touch of sophistication. The resorts and beaches tend to be quieter and more secluded. Marigot, its main town, has a Mediterranean atmosphere with open-air markets, shops, cafes, and excellent restaurants lining the waterfront. It is a place where we love to walk around enjoying the atmosphere and have a hot chocolate and a croissant or a glass of rosé wine in one of the charming little cafés. It's a taste of home, France that is, with all the warmth of the Caribbean--sheer bliss!
Marigot
Next post coming shortly: Why St. Martin and what’s next for Taka Trois and her crew?
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