Faith, Folklore, and Friends

Beautiful Maho Beach on St. Maartens is unique, in more ways than one. Right across a small road from the beach is Princess Juliana International Airport. The airport has become famous for very low-altitude landing approaches;  the planes are so low at Maho Beach that it seems you could reach up and touch them. There were hundreds of people there at the beach that day, all waiting for a plane to come in. It was way too hot to fight the crowds waiting on the beach, so we were settled here, eating fresh guacamole and tortilla chips. And here it comes. . . Sorry, that was the best I could do.  I am adding a Youtube clip  here  so you can see what really happens. We did have a good view of the beach, and saw several people blown into the water from the exhaust during takeoffs.

St. Maarten is a 37 square mile Caribbean island divided between the Dutch and French.  It is beautiful tropical island, just like all the rest of them. We took the road around the island, so we were never far from the water. One of the French towns had this ubiquitous market, where you can purchase items for only a little more than you can get them at home.  But it is duty-free. This French bakery was worth the trip (croissants and chocolate eclairs).  If you are ever on St. Maarten, check it out.  St. Maarten, like all the islands, has some interesting flora.  Don't think any of it would grow in North Alabama.   St. Maarten's has another interesting feature: Princess Julianna International Airport, but that's a blog for tomorrow.