December 5, 2024

St. Maartin to St. Barthelemy

Cousin Cathy decided to give me a glimpse into the upper elite world, via a day trip to St. Barthelemy! We took a 45 minute ferry from Philipsburg, St. Maartins to Gustavia, St. Barthelemy and had to clear customs, both ways. Gustavia is like the Rodeo Drive of the Caribbean - lots of huge yachts and fancy shops line the marina. We had to stay extra-long is D&G because a passing rain shower hit as we were about to exit - very nice sales lady insisted we stay and check out 2nd floor! Was fun see all the iconic items I have vaguely heard about over the years.  Rod bought Cathy a bracelet in Hermes for her 60th Birthday!

Once the rain let up we hailed a cab, a very chic & pricy mini van type ($44 to go less than 10 minutes) and headed up the hills from the port to the fancy Eden Rock Resort. We had a yummy Thanksgiving day lunch in the Remy Bar and Salon, comfy open air space and situated right on the beach. The Master Chef is the same as the Philadelphia Four Seasons, Jean Georges Vongerichten.  

After lunch we strolled some more and took a dip in the ocean and checked out the crowd at the swanky Nikki Beach Club, next door to Eden Rock. Then another pricey cab back to the port, watched sunset and had some drinks at local bar before heading back on Ferry to St. Maartins.

By Patricia Patrick February 15, 2026
We got up at 6:45am to get to National Park Forts Walk trail in the hope of seeing koalas . Prior walkers mark trails with tree branches pointing in the direction of their sighting and we were luck enough to see 3 markers in our first hour of hiking. It is so stinking hot and humid the success we had made it bearable. The koala population on the island started with 20 brought over in 1930, to escape fur hunters. Today, the island boast 800 to 1000, and they are so cute and drowsy. They need 20 hours of sleep a day! The early morning is when they are the most active.
By Patricia Patrick February 14, 2026
Just off the coast of Townsville, Australia is a special little island (that used to be part of mainland, hundreds of thousands years ago). The island was formed by molten granite that was pushed to the earth's surface with volcanic force.Over time the volcanic overlay weathered away leaving an extraordinary landscape of rounded domes and boulders, many as big as a house and spectcularly perched. Over Seventy Percent of the center of the Island is a National Park. There is lots of wildlife here too - koalas, rock wallabies, snakes & birds.
By Patricia Patrick February 14, 2026
This is my third time in CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA and I really enjoy how walkable, clean and charming it is. The waterfront esplanade and lagoon area is a nice walk day or night. We had 2 nights here in the waterfront Shangri La Marina Hotel while waiting for the Ship to arrive and then 2 additional days in Port.