How Did We Get “Here”?

Stardate: 2010.  We arrive via cruise ship on a new island destination for us, Sint Maarten, Netherland Antilles.  We knew absolutely nothing about this place but our immediate reaction as we glanced across Great Bay from our window was, “WOW, look at that water!”  Upon exiting the ship we immediately felt the “vibe”.  An energy, a feeling, aura, call it what you will, we were simultaneously drawn in and felt as though we were “home”.  An odd sensation, given we’d never been there before.  Knowing nothing of the island we walked around Philipsburg for a while then took a taxi over to Maho to watch the planes.

The drive to Maho was surreal.  Crossing the mountain first with the panoramic views to our left across Great Bay and the ship ported in the distance was soon followed by the “gasp” as we topped the hill and caught our first glimpse into Simpson Bay.  The causeway wasn’t there then.  Just a vast, wide open view that took our breath away.

After a full afternoon watching planes land at PJIA we taxied back to the ship, committed completely to revisiting this picturesque island that had an energy unlike anything we’d felt before or since.