It may be hard to imagine, but it was actually rather difficult to find an ocean resort with a room available for an entire week! We didn't want an all-inclusive resort, since there was no way we'd be eating enough to justify the added cost. We were also "limited" to resorts in the RCI program, courtesy of my wonderful in-laws.
Justin, ever the researcher, found some recommendations on top honeymoon destinations and introduced me to the little Caribbean island of Sint Maarten. It just so happened that one resort had a week slot available in the time frame we had open! Plus, there was a direct flight from Chicago at a good price! And just like that, our perfect honeymoon plans fell into place. It really couldn't have been more perfect. We had a few days after the wedding to relax, get the rest of my things moved to Iron Mountain, and then make our way to Chicago.
It was a magical moment, stepping off the plane and feeling that blast of warm air, almost tasting the salt in the breeze, and taking in the surroundings of our first time in not only a tropical place, but a different country! We were in awe of the beauty, the mountains, the ocean, and an entire week all ours, with nothing we had to do, no phones, no computers...it was great!
Our resort was on a narrow peninsula on the south side of the island, so there was ocean on both sides of us. We had a little honeymoon casita on the hill; perfect for watching the sunset.
In front was a hot-tub that we found a lot of use for. :-) There were plenty of pools but we preferred the gorgeous, warm ocean. I was amazed at how the water really was an aqua color!
Our resort was close to the capital city of Phillipsburg, but still felt private since it was off the main route. It was good and bad, since we had to walk a long way to find a bus. (Taxis were too expensive to take everywhere we wanted to explore.)
Phillipsburg has been called the shopping Mecca, as it's duty free, and has an unbelievable number of stores! I was amazed by how many jewelry stores were in the town!
It was really romantic to eat outside, surrounded by the beauty! We had the "Continental Breakfast" a few mornings at the resort; a little pricey but always filled us up enough to skip lunch. Food cost about double what it does here, as everything is imported.
We were able to find a grocery store, so cooked some meals at our Casita when we weren't out exploring the island.
The resort had some type of social almost every day (which was awesome because it was the only time and place where you could get something cold to drink for free!) and they had raffles at all of them. We actually won a couple times! One was a certificate to a local restaurant, and another was a gorgeous silver pendant with a 5 carat gemstone from a jewelry store! The restaurant was awesome!!!
They aren't called "World famous fajitas" for nothing!!!
When we figured out the bus route we were able to get around for a few dollars a day. They were a little scary--old vans in what seemed barely working conditions--but it was safer than attempting to drive in the crazy traffic!
We visited Marigot, the French capital, one day. It has an old fort we hiked up to.
The highlight of the trip was a dinner cruise we took one night. We had a certificate from the resort that covered most of the cost, and it was a four hour trip on a sailboat up the coast, all we could eat and drink.
Leaving "our" island was a sad day...from the plane we saw the peninsula with our resort.
We are madly in love and enjoying marriage more all the time! :-D When I have my wedding photos, I plan to do a wedding series, so stay tuned!
