 | Map of St. Martin |
 | The view from our patio at the Alamanda Hotel, nesteled in a little village on Orient Beach. The pool is on the other side of the hedge and the beach is beyond that. |
 | Orient Beach is the best beach on the island. Be aware that the southern end of the beach is a full nudist colony (that’s not where we stayed…but not far either). The view of the waters and smaller nearby islands was tremendous. Don’t forget lots of sun tan lotion. You don’t want any reason not to go back to the beach. |
 | A snapshot of the hills from Orient Beach in the evening. |
 | Grand Case is another beautiful village down the road from Orient Beach. It has several interesting shops and restaurants. |
 | Another picture taken at Grand Case. |
 | Marigot, the capitol of the French side of St. Martin, has many shops, cafes, restaurants, bakeries, and a market with tropical fruits and souvenirs. A walk around this town is worth a day away from the beach. This picture was taken from Fort Louis. |
 | Fort Louis sits atop the hill near Marigot. Built in 1789 the fort protected the town of Marigot from privateers and pirates. |
 | Scenery around St. Martin |
 | Scenery around St. Martin |
 | Scenery from our jungle hike on Mt Paradis. This is just a snapshot of the narrow path through the dense jungle. |
 | Scenery from our jungle hike on Mt Paradis. I have no idea what kind of tropical fruit is hanging from those trees. |
 | Scenery from our jungle hike on Mt Paradis. As we climbed higher, we found some breaks in the foliage where we could see more of the island. |
 | Scenery from our jungle hike on Mt Paradis. In the center you can see the plantation, Loterie Farm, where we began our hike. A sign there reads, "Saving Private Zion Loterie Farm, St. Martin's only private nature reserve is beating the odds. Without subvention, without defiscalaisation, without any of the numerous social programs available today, a small team of enironmentally conscious individuals are working real hard to send a message; 'the survival of the earth's dilicate biodiversity depends upon figuring out ways to create micro economics through protection and preservation rather nat compromise and plunder.' Enter...eco-tourism. The 150 acre biodiverse secondary tropical forest system, under the stewardship of BJ Welch has recently been opened to the public as not only an alternative to the mainstream tourist staples: sea, sun, and sand, but also as a redemptive place for St. Martiners. As a non-subsidized private enterprise suported exclusively by visiotr participation, Loterie Farm is a role model for other projects in the Caribbean concened with protecting natural elements while supporting socio-economics. A guided interpretive hiking tour winds through the last remaining micro-climatic humid forest on St. Martin. Retracing the routes used by slaves when Loterie was the most unlikely sugar plantation in the Caribbean, eco-tourists now have the unique opportunity to learn the fascinating story of St. Martin's natural and cultural history. Many miles of well kept trails are also open to self discovery. The moment you enter Loterie Farm, you wil realize that it's not the St. Martin you've grown accustomed to. Lush, spiritual, peacefull, energizing, and mysterious are a few of the words visitors have used to describe the surroundings. One day off from the beach is all you'll need to have not only a memorable experience, but also the satisfaction that you have contributed to the protection and preservation of St. Martin's rich biodiversity. Loterie Farm is on the road to Pic Paradis, and is open every day." That affected me so much, when I got home I cut down a tree and put it in the house so I could hug it every day. |
