Home from St. Martin

It wasn’t just a dream, it really was a trip to the islands.  (see the last week’s blog entries)  My sisters and niece and our husbands took a trip to the Caribbean island of St. Martin last week.  It was paradise, from the weather, to the most excellent French food, to the great company and endless laughs.

Baggage Claim at the St. Martin Airport
photo by Linda Oeffling

The explosion of color began right at the airport.  While we waited for our luggage I admired the rainbow and the shadows it cast on the walls of the busy baggage claim area.

I was pretty excited to walk into our villa to view the artwork of Antoine Chapon on the walls! It looks even better in person.  Click the link to go back to my previous post about Chapon.

Dune Preserve Bar on Anguilla
photo by Linda Oeffling

One of the most intriguing architectural creations was the Dune Preserve Bar, which we visited while on a catamaran sailing trip to the island of Anguilla.  The bar was originally created from flotsam and jetsam that found its way onshore.  Now there are parts to the building which have been upgraded, but it keeps its quirky atmosphere.

Restaurant in Grand Case
photo by Linda Oeffling

Shame on me for not getting the name of this restaurant in Grand Case.  Up a set of stairs, and behind the lush greenery, you can have a luscious French meal.  This is just an example of typical scenes along the street.  Wall murals decorate the buildings, color and lovely curlicues decorate porches and patios.

Happy Bay
photo by Linda Oeffling

Happy Bay is a little beach tucked away, unreachable by car.  You have to hike over a hill to get to this beach.  The stone sculptures welcomed us into the bay, and a friendly local set up a little stand and provided fresh grilled fish for lunch.

There is much more to tell, and maybe I’ll revisit this theme another day, but for now I am behind on unpacking. Sigh. I wish I was still in bare feet and a pareo instead of looking at the snow in fuzzy slippers and warm bathrobe…