Sint Maarten advice please.

[Guest CollegeToronto]

Hi guys,

 

Hope your summer is treating you all well.

I'm going to Sint Maarten next week on vacation and I was wondering if anyone can fill me in on things to do. I heard someone mention there's a gay bar there but I have yet to find out what it's called or where it is. If any of you guys can fill me in on the 411, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Aaron

[Guest]

>

>Hi guys,

>

>Hope your summer is treating you all well.

>I'm going to Sint Maarten next week on vacation and I was

>wondering if anyone can fill me in on things to do. I heard

>someone mention there's a gay bar there but I have yet to find

>out what it's called or where it is. If any of you guys can

>fill me in on the 411, it would be greatly appreciated.

>

>Thanks

>

>

>Aaron

 

I don't know if there are any gay clubs in Dutch Sint Maarten, but there are many of them in French Saint Martin. In fact, Marigot probably has the highest concentration of gay places in the Caribbean (with the possible exception on San Juan). I definitely prefer the French side. It's more gay-friendly (not that the Dutch side is gay-hostile), is better kept up (roads, etc.), and, of course, has bettter restaurants. Also, the nudie beach (Orient) is on the French side (though not near Marigot). The gay beach, Cupecoy, is on the Western Dutch/French border. The gay clubs include In's Club, L'alibi, and Pink Mango. They all have local gay rags which will give you addresses of other gay places. If you have the time, don't miss the quick hop on the ferry to Anguila, where I recommend you visit fantastic Shoal Bay (East) beach. If you have even more time, fantastic Saba bekons. You can hike to the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Mt. Scenery), and visit charming Windwardside. The island (especially Windwardside) has a large concentration of gay couples. The director of tourism is also gay, so you could send him an e-mail and he could let you know what to look for (he flies a rainbow flag on his home sometimes).

[Guest CollegeToronto]

Thank you so much for such a detailed reply.

I definately plan on visiting Saba, a friend of mine was raving about how quaint it was.

How big is the island? Would you recomend renting a car? I'm staying near Philipsburg. Sorry about all the questions, and thanks again for the answers.

 

 

Aaron

[Guest Tristan]

Aaron,

 

It's been many years since I stayed on the French side of St.Martin, so I can't help you with a gay bar or any current information. However, there are some things that I could suggest which I'm sure have not changed. I stayed in Grande Case. You may already know that this is the restaurant capital of the Carribean. The French food is superb, though very expensive.

 

Highly recommend that you take the hydrofoil from Marigot on the French side to Blowing Point (no, you can't get a BJ there) on the island of Anguilla, north of St. Martin. It's sort of like going from Calais to Dover. They even checked passports at that time. Anyway, the beaches on Anguilla are spectacular. Unlike St. Martin, the island is flat. Makes for a great day trip. I hope for your sake they've improved the roads in St. Martin. The craters in the roads were so large and deep, they appeared as if a battleship had shelled them. None of the rental cars had any shocks left. To make it worse, there's nothing on the side of the road between you and a ditch. Again, hope they improved since then. If you go to Dawn Beach, be ready for a wild ride up and down a steep mountain. Probably better to go to Anguilla.

 

The Dutch side is very Americanized. You can even get a bagel, lox, and cream cheese there. The French side was much nicer, but they were already in the process of overdeveloping it. I hope they haven't ruined the authentic French atmosphere.

 

I think of all the Carribean islands I visited, this one provided the greatest adventure of them all. I hope you get more up to date information. Go to a bookstore and look at some of the Carribean travel books. I found them most helpful. Bring lots of $$$$$.

 

Have a good time.

 

Tristan

[Guest]

>

>Thank you so much for such a detailed reply.

>I definately plan on visiting Saba, a friend of mine was

>raving about how quaint it was.

>How big is the island? Would you recomend renting a car? I'm

>staying near Philipsburg. Sorry about all the questions, and

>thanks again for the answers.

>

>

>Aaron

 

Aaak! You've been going to the escort spelling school! What is it about that word "definitely"? :7 :7 Just kidding! Congratulations on visiting Saba! Lots of gay couples settle in Saba. When you go through customs, you're going to have "Saba--Unspoiled Queen" stamped on your passport! The island is tiny and entirely vertical (no beaches). Most people just hire a cab. When you take the plane from St. Maarten, you definitely want to take a seat on the RIGHT side of the plane so you can see the plane skirt the cliffs on its way to the shortest commercial runway in the world. Landing in Saba is half the fun!

Do send an e-mail to Glenn Holm, the gay tourism director. His e-mail is [email protected]. There are a bunch of gay-owned businesses. I recall the lesbian-owned restaurant above the Sea Saba dive shop in Windwardside. If you would like to meet some gay people, let Glenn know. I'm sure he can hook you up for lunch.

Saba has got to be the friendliest place in the Caribbean. If you have only a quick day trip, just take a cab, and hike up to the top of Mount Scenery. The main/governmental settlement, called "The Bottom," is less interesting than Windwardside. It's a little more of where the riff-raff live. Good luck!

[Guest CollegeToronto]

Hey Guys,

 

Thanks for your advice,

I just got back last night and had an amazing time. It was beautiful, and I went to Saba where in fact there were a few pride flags flying which was cool. Anyways hope your summer is winding up well.

 

 

Aaron

[Guest]

Did you hook up with Glenn? Also, did you stay on the right side of the plane as I suggested? What did you do on Saba? I'm dying for news of that place! It has a special place in my heart....