We all got up to watch the ship dock. It is amazing how they swing the front out and back the ship in. It was fun to watch. We were all up and ready this time so we stayed on deck 9 and ate breakfast at topsiders. Very good breakfast buffet.
After breakfast we then returned to our room and packed a cooler with cokes from home, (We had packed then in our carry-on) Also our beach things. We then went down to deck 1 forward and left the boat. You will need your KTTW cards and DL. We then walked the short walk to the water taxi. This is a must, it cost 5.00 for all day. We used it 4 times. It is 3.50 one way.
The water is so clear you can see fish swimming around the Magic. It really excited our son.
As you get near the dock at St. Maarten, you start to realize that this is a very poor country.
We got off the water taxi and started to walk around the port. Most stores do not open till 9:00. So we went to look for a taxi to the beaches.
You will be asked if you want your hair braided about every three minutes, but a no thank you, works fine.
We got a taxi for 12.00 to Orient Beach. It is a scarey ride, people just drive, no stop lights, and no one cares if you were there first they just drive on.
On the way to the beach you will see both sides of the island. Neither were very nice. There is garbage everywhere. There is one field of nothing but beer bottles. Sheep and goats are everywhere also. We were told that their sheep have no wool, so the way you tell them from the goats is that the sheeps tails stay down and the goats tails stay up. They roam freely.
At the beach, it was okay. Please keep in mind this is not America. There are shacks lining the beach, and they all want your business. We rented two beach chairs and unberalla and two drinks for 10.00. Everyone wants to please you.
Ladies with their hair kits walk up and down the beach, again you will be asked over and over if you or your chlid wants braids, No thank you works fine. Also there are ladies that sell necklaces and anklets walking the beach. Again no thank you works fine. These people are just trying to make a living, not be a bother
The beach water is beautiful. There is seaweed, but not in all parts. There is a rock walk that goes between the nude and sometimes nude sides. We had a lady walk down the beach in only a hat! So you will see it on both sides. Then water on the nude beach, is cleaner, we found broken beer bottles in the surf on the other side, We did go swim at the nude beach, but it is NUDE. My kids are 8 and 4 and they noticed. I no people say their kids didin't notice, well ours did. We had to return to the other side because they would not quit laughing. Lots of older man and ladies.
We stayed untill 1:30 and got a taxi back for 10.00 to the port. We decided to go in to town and shop for tropical clothing before going back to the ship. As you walk down the streets you will see garbage piled everywhere. My husband decided to release the water out of the cooler on the sidewalk. three men were standing close by and said, 'You could get arrested if you were pee peeing in the street'. We laughed with them, but really thought it was funny you would get arrested for that but go ahead and through your garbage anywhere. I think you should be arrested for both.
We did find cute outfits for the kids and matching ones for us. Here is a tip the taxi driver gave us.'Do not shop in the morning, shop only when you are returning to the ship, they will drop their prices.
So we did that. The price for my daughters went from 5.00 to 3.00 and my sons 7.00 to 4.00 and Doug's shirt 12.00 to 6.00, my wrap from 12.00 to 7.00.
You can bargain, and come out better.
We then got back on the water taxi to go back to the boat. We saw all kinds of fish around the boat.
We got cleaned up and ordered a snack from roomservice, since we had not had lunch. I could not eat on the island, it just wasn't clean.
The outfit we bought for my daughter didn't seem to fit right, so we left the boat again, boarded the water taxi and went back to the shop and the lady put it on her for me.
The people are very very nice, and are willing to help you find what you need. It's just the garbage that bothered us.
So back to the ship, and on to dinner. We ate Lumieres this night in our tropical attire. We have some nice pictures ofthis evening.
After dinner the kids went to their clubs, Paige got to see Country Bears Movie. Ian decided he didn't want to go, so he beeped us and we came and got him.
We went up to deck 9 for the sailway party. I can tell you one thing the ship sails on time.
This is the night we met Zoomommy. We were so excited to finally meet. We all talked while the kids danced. We had picked up Paige by this time.
It was late and time to turn in. We entered our cabin to find a MONKEY hanging from the curtains, he was wearing Dougs sunglass and hat. So far we have had a Swan, Elephant, and a Monkey made from towels. The kids love it.
To bed to bed we go, for tomorrow we hit St. Thomas. Oh and immigration!
Good night
Anne
After breakfast we then returned to our room and packed a cooler with cokes from home, (We had packed then in our carry-on) Also our beach things. We then went down to deck 1 forward and left the boat. You will need your KTTW cards and DL. We then walked the short walk to the water taxi. This is a must, it cost 5.00 for all day. We used it 4 times. It is 3.50 one way.
The water is so clear you can see fish swimming around the Magic. It really excited our son.
As you get near the dock at St. Maarten, you start to realize that this is a very poor country.
We got off the water taxi and started to walk around the port. Most stores do not open till 9:00. So we went to look for a taxi to the beaches.
You will be asked if you want your hair braided about every three minutes, but a no thank you, works fine.
We got a taxi for 12.00 to Orient Beach. It is a scarey ride, people just drive, no stop lights, and no one cares if you were there first they just drive on.
On the way to the beach you will see both sides of the island. Neither were very nice. There is garbage everywhere. There is one field of nothing but beer bottles. Sheep and goats are everywhere also. We were told that their sheep have no wool, so the way you tell them from the goats is that the sheeps tails stay down and the goats tails stay up. They roam freely.
At the beach, it was okay. Please keep in mind this is not America. There are shacks lining the beach, and they all want your business. We rented two beach chairs and unberalla and two drinks for 10.00. Everyone wants to please you.
Ladies with their hair kits walk up and down the beach, again you will be asked over and over if you or your chlid wants braids, No thank you works fine. Also there are ladies that sell necklaces and anklets walking the beach. Again no thank you works fine. These people are just trying to make a living, not be a bother
The beach water is beautiful. There is seaweed, but not in all parts. There is a rock walk that goes between the nude and sometimes nude sides. We had a lady walk down the beach in only a hat! So you will see it on both sides. Then water on the nude beach, is cleaner, we found broken beer bottles in the surf on the other side, We did go swim at the nude beach, but it is NUDE. My kids are 8 and 4 and they noticed. I no people say their kids didin't notice, well ours did. We had to return to the other side because they would not quit laughing. Lots of older man and ladies.
We stayed untill 1:30 and got a taxi back for 10.00 to the port. We decided to go in to town and shop for tropical clothing before going back to the ship. As you walk down the streets you will see garbage piled everywhere. My husband decided to release the water out of the cooler on the sidewalk. three men were standing close by and said, 'You could get arrested if you were pee peeing in the street'. We laughed with them, but really thought it was funny you would get arrested for that but go ahead and through your garbage anywhere. I think you should be arrested for both.
We did find cute outfits for the kids and matching ones for us. Here is a tip the taxi driver gave us.'Do not shop in the morning, shop only when you are returning to the ship, they will drop their prices.
So we did that. The price for my daughters went from 5.00 to 3.00 and my sons 7.00 to 4.00 and Doug's shirt 12.00 to 6.00, my wrap from 12.00 to 7.00.
You can bargain, and come out better.
We then got back on the water taxi to go back to the boat. We saw all kinds of fish around the boat.
We got cleaned up and ordered a snack from roomservice, since we had not had lunch. I could not eat on the island, it just wasn't clean.
The outfit we bought for my daughter didn't seem to fit right, so we left the boat again, boarded the water taxi and went back to the shop and the lady put it on her for me.
The people are very very nice, and are willing to help you find what you need. It's just the garbage that bothered us.
So back to the ship, and on to dinner. We ate Lumieres this night in our tropical attire. We have some nice pictures ofthis evening.
After dinner the kids went to their clubs, Paige got to see Country Bears Movie. Ian decided he didn't want to go, so he beeped us and we came and got him.
We went up to deck 9 for the sailway party. I can tell you one thing the ship sails on time.
This is the night we met Zoomommy. We were so excited to finally meet. We all talked while the kids danced. We had picked up Paige by this time.
It was late and time to turn in. We entered our cabin to find a MONKEY hanging from the curtains, he was wearing Dougs sunglass and hat. So far we have had a Swan, Elephant, and a Monkey made from towels. The kids love it.
To bed to bed we go, for tomorrow we hit St. Thomas. Oh and immigration!
Good night
Anne
