Catamaran Boat Trip

Over the break we took a around the island Catamaran boat trip, which visited two island 'Tintamarre' and Creole Rock'. We departed the Great Bay Docks (right by the cruise ship) at 8:30am and got back at 4:40pm.Loved seeing St.Maarten from a different view point.  At each island stop we got to swim, snorkel or go play in the sand.  We had a lunch stop at Grand Case at Calmos Cafe. Both kids had a nap in the afternoon, sailing the east side of the island. We all had a great day together in the hot sun!

Calmos Cafe

 Lincoln loves snorkling and seeing all the fish.

 When we got off the boat lincoln had this to say about our day - "That was good, I think we should do that again tomorrow"

Lacey kept saying - " boat fun"

Palm Trees

Kool Baii Villas has quite a few palm trees, every so often Kool Baii Management has some garden keeper come trim the palm tree leaves and coconuts. So we have no falling palm tree leaves and coconuts falling on people as they walk below. After the leaves and coconuts have all been cut down the kids like going and collecting a few coconuts to bring home before they clean them all up.The kids love opening up the coconuts with dad but still aren't to sure of drinking the coconut milk. Fun island adventures!

Every Day Life

As of the end of last semester we are the last Statia family on St. Maarten. We miss our friends who have already finished their time here on St. Maarten. The island isn’t quit the same.

We had a cool day this week of 28'c, feel like temp 38. I  never thought I would think this is a cool day but it felt nice and cool, a little break from the intense heat. Plus it was a great baking days as we didn't sweat to death baking in the kitchen.

Lincoln and mommy time while Lacey naps and dad studies. Playing with shells and dinosaurs.

Yes Josh did study a bit over break each afternoon.

 Mom's kitchen helper.

Lincoln- "dad your sweating like in primary”… Lincoln told Josh this when he had sweat running down his forhead. Sad when this reminds Lincoln of Primary. Yes primary is that hot with no A/C and fans that just stir up the hot air some more.

Lincoln has master catching little lizards with his hands. It’s crazy and he loves it. He’s so proud of himself. He loves catching them and putting in his lizard cage.

Lacey is Lacey. Some days I do not understand this girl. Lacey will not keep her shoes on when we are out, even with lots of reminding and encouragement. Then when we arrive home Lacey will not take her shoes off when we finally get home…. Time outs also mean nothing to Lacey. She likes the time out chair. If we give Lincoln a time out she pulls a chair up beside him like its the cool thing to do.

Food we miss from back home: dill chips (kayla), ketchup chips ( Josh), lipton chicken noodle soup, rice chips, fresh fruit and vegetables  that's fresh, dairy milk…. We could go on but I willn’t. It’s crazy the things you miss when you don’t have access to them for a while (16 months).

Mullet Beach, CupeCoy Beach and Burgeaux Beach

Mullet/ CupeCoy Beach - This trip to the beach wasn’t planned we were just out driving around. Stopped at Mullet Beach (Top picture) to check out the big waves, since it was very windy out. But there was no big waves. Then Lincoln said he wanted to check out the small natural pools at CupeCoy. The kids loves the small natural pools, plus is a great way to spend a couple house together with family. As the beach trip wasn't plan so we had no swim suit so the kids same in their clothes.

 Burgeaux Beach- is a small rocky beach between Simpson Bay and Maho Beach. It’s Beacon Hills area. There wasn’t much to the beach as it was very tinny with large rocks, most of the sand had been washed off the beach, so it was a quick stop. It was still neat to check out another beach.

The Poop Truck

We've given the Septic Trucks the nick name, Poop trucks. Poop trucks are something we see or smell almost every time you go out. Theres quit a few on the island as most houses have septic tanks.

While we are driving if the kids spot the poop truck they show out "poop truck", follow with "stinky."  The heat just makes the smell so much worse. The island smells are so gross, lincoln says they smell like bacon. Lincoln doesn’t really know what bacon actually is as we don’t eat it here, its $8 per lbs, to expensive for our pocket. So we try to explain to him that the poop truck smells nothing like bacon.

Cruiser Point & Fort William

The next few posts will cover Josh's semester break we just had from August 14th - September 1st. We had lots of fun exploring the island some more, visited a new fort, beaches and more.

We started the break off with the 5th term grad. The University will not be the same without all of these students leaving.

We went to Cruiser Point which is located on Point Blanche. Point Blanche is just west of where the cruise ships dock. It has an amazing view of Great Bay. When we went to Cruiser point there wasn't any Cruise ships in that day so we came back when there was.

We hiked to the third fort on this island, Fort william. It wasn't a easy hike in this heat, plus Josh and I had to carry both kids as it was a step rocky hike. Fort William, overlooking Great Bay, the Salt Pond and Fort Amsterdam. Theres not much left of Fort William, as you can see from the pictures above. 

Theres a few stores that have the same names of ones back home. There is also banks that look that same as ones back home but aren't like CIBC (Fist Caribbean International Bank), Scotia Bank and RBC (Royal Bank of the Caribbean). Heres a few pictures to show you they aren't any thing like the ones back home, just the same name. Above: Safe Way

Bath and Body Works. I wish it was a Bath and Body Works from back home.

Family Pictures

I'm so glad we were able to get family pictures done down here.  To help capture our family memories we have made in the Caribbean.  I'm so happy with how they turned out and love them all. I love my little family, they mean everything to me.

Statia

St. Eustatius also known as Statia by the locals, is a little Caribbean island in the West Indies. This small island of 3,500 people is the place that we called home for four months. We loved the time we got to spend on this island. We made some awesome friends and great memories for the short time we lived there, that we will always look back on. Can't believe it's been just over one whole year since we made the move to St. Maarten (August 21 2013). and 16 months since we starting our amazing Caribbean med. school adventures.

We kinda miss Statia at times, but not their groceries store (Duggin's). I know Lincoln does, he asks to go back all the time. We made great memories while hiking the Quill, playing at the fort, feeding the pigs, playing at the beach with black sand and just exploring the island and experience the simple island life.

The Sala family

We have meet some amazing families while living on these small islands in the Caribbean. One family that we spent almost every day with and have made some great memories with are the Sala's.  The time had come for their time to be done in the Caribbean. We were lucky we got to spend the last 16 months with them and move islands together. Lacey and Lincoln  have made some great friends, Eli and Krysten will sure be missed. Lacey and Lincoln have asked for them almost every day since they have left. I'm sure going to miss Claire too, she's a great friend and has made our island time memorable. I will miss our girl nights, play-dates for the kids, hanging out at the beach, grocery shooing together, our outings with the kids (library, zoo, nature park) and just hanging out.

Saying our good-byes

Jessica Adams. Me. Claire Sala

The island we not be the same with out you guys. Good-bye Sala's!

Nana-moto

While Nana-moto was visiting we had to take some beach pictures to remember her visit. Location Simpson Bay.

Lacey's Beach Party

For Lacey's second birthday party we did a 'Beach Party' theme. Lacey's birthday isn't till September 7th but we want to celebrate it while Nana was here and while Eli and Krysten were still on the island. This Caribbean weather sure didn't want to cooperate with us. We had to post pone the party date to a week later as there was a tropical storm passing by causing lots of rain and wind. Which wouldn't be the greatest for a out side party.

So the following week came and the party day was a but rainy too. I watched the weather forecast and it said it was going to clear up for the evening. Nope! They were wrong. We showed up at the beach and it was a bit overcast. Within 15 minutes of being there these huge rain clouds that moved in and poured on us, so we moved the party to our house. We still had lots of fun, even though it didn't go as I had planed.

Here's the few party pictures we got on the beach before it rained on us.

The beach friends.

Lacey's beach cupcakes.

Birthday girl enjoying her cupcake and opening presents. Lacey had a blast!

Part 2: Nana-moto, Uncle Logan and Jessica

DAY 7: Sunday- Engament Pictures and the Carousel

After we got back from the engagement pictures, we went for to a treat at the Carousel. The kids love the Carousel plus the yummy gelato.

DAY 8: Monday -Bai Rouge Beach, Marigot Market

This was my first time to Bai Rouge.  This beach is on the french side just west of Marigot. I had heard that the sand had a bit of a red tent to the sand, but I didn’t really notice. It was a beautiful beach. There were quit a few rocks on this beach but we found a sandy area over to the right. Logan and Jessica found a lot of jelly fish while snorkelling. They could also see the rock arch way while snorkelling to the right of the beach. We will for sure come back to this beach with Josh... Lincoln loves bring his dinosaurs to the beach and playing on the rocks with them.

While at the market we had to stop at the Coconut man Hut for a yummy Pina Colada.

Then for supper we went to Boca Marina. Our last night all together. Its a restaurant on Airport Road, you have to go through a dry boat dock to get there. It was a pretty neat restaurant as it was right on the Simpson Bay Lagoon. Food was delicious!

DAY 9: Tuesday- Good-byes

It was time for Uncle Logan and Jessica to continue on their back packing traveling adventure. They were off Peurto Rico then Mexica from here. It was fun having Uncle come visit us three times and Jessica twice. We had lots of fun times.  We miss them.

DAY 10: Wednesday- Zoo, Pool

We took Nana to visit the Zoo the we visit quit often. Lacey loved that the Iguana that was sitting on the turtle.

Then another pool in the afternoon. Just trying to keep cool while having some fun.

DAY 11: Thursday- CupeCoy Beach, Curcis

Another beach day, we visited CupeCoy Beach. This is the beach that Logan purposed to Jessica. It is a smaller beach with rocks that line the beach. The are little mini caves with green vines hanging down. It’s beautiful. 

We also went to the natural pool thats just to the right of CupeCoy Beach. Lincoln had a fun time snorkelling in the natural pool and watching the little fish that were swimming in it.

Then that afternoon we went to the circus at the Blue Mall. The kids were so excited to hear that the circus was back once again.

DAY 12: Friday- Nature Park, LAcey's party.

Friday we venture to the Nature Park (petting zoo). Kids always had a good time, watching the piglets, goats, sheep, pony, turtles….

We had Lacey's Birthday Party Friday night. It was a lot of fun. I'll do a separate post on her party.

DAY 13: Saturday- Sea Semi Submarine

Saturday we went on a Semi Submarine. From Grande Case Beach to Creole rock. The kids loved it. 

We were able to see a tone of fish ( I can't remember all of their names but heres a few puffer fish, parrot fish), starfish, finger coral, fire coral, fan coral, and turtles. It was pretty neat seeing the turtles.

DAY 14: Sunday- Good-byes to Nana

The time for good- byes had come. We each gave a long hug to Nana to last our last four months. We had so much fun with Nana the last two week. Lots of sun. Nightly Pina Coladas. We got spoiled! Thanks again for everything and the time we were able to spend together.

Part 1: Nana-moto, Uncle Logan and Jessica

Texting countdown.

THE ARRIVAL OF OUR VISITORS: Sunday

The island just seems so much funner when family is here. It kinda makes it feel like we are on a holiday rather then live here. Nana-moto, Uncle Logan and Jessica arrived Sunday. We were all so excited for them to come visit. Lincoln said “the count down took too long.” My mom was here for 2 full weeks and Logan and Jessica were here for 9 days.

DAY 1: Monday- Cay Bay Beach, Rock Arch Way and La Bella Creole Ruins

We went to Cay Bay in the morning. It’s one of our favourites at the moment as its only 5 mins aways, has prefect blue water plus it just got a mini park that the kids love.

In the afternoon Josh was able to spare a couple hours as he just finished writing his block 4 exam. So he took a little break and had some fun with us. We went to explore the rock arch way...

and La Bella Creole Resort Ruins.

DAY 2: Tuesday- Groceries and  the pool.

We stocked up on groceries and hung out at the pool. Lincoln showed Nana how he can dive… Logan popped the question and Jessica said yes while they were out at CupeCoy Beach.

Lincoln and Lacey as so into helping in the kitchen these day. Here they are helping make pizza dough.

My mom, Logan and Jessica stayed in the holiday house while they were visiting. Same house my mom stayed at in December when she visited before... Lincoln and Lacey got to enjoy a REAL shower. They LOVED it!!! These poor kids still bath in their red tub as water is too expensive here. But at the holiday house the water was included in the nightly rate, so we let them have a real shower and they were in heaven.

DAY 3: Wednesday- Grand Case Beach

We went to Grand Case Beach. We had lots of fun. Lacey and Lincoln still have no fear of jumping off the pier. Logan and Jessica went snorkelling at Grande Case and found two huge reddish in colour star fish. Lincoln loved playing with them.

Durring their visit Lincoln was Uncle Logan and Jessica's 3rd wheel. He loved driving with them in their rental car and hanging out with them in their room.

DAY 4 : Thursday- Board Walk.

We hit the boardwalk. It was hot as always with lots of walking. Lincoln got a big stuffed Igaunna and Lacey got a Stingray. They love their finds.

At night we went out for dinner at Jimbo's. Lincoln and Lacey loved their special drinks ( Shirley Temples).

Day 5: Friday - Kayaking Trip

We went on a Kayaking trip. It was a tone of fun. Kids had a blast and enjoyed the whole day. We kayaked from Simpson bay Lagoon under the bridge into the ocean, to Pelican Kay, then over to Simpson Bay where we stopped for lunch. We had a blast.

Friday night Lacey wouldn't fall asleep as she had a last nap after kayaking. So we got her our of bed and she helped Nana make her cupcakes for her party. She loved having one on one time with Nana.

DAY 6 : Saturday - Mall

Was more of a rainy day as a Tropical storm was passing just south of St. Maarten. So we got lots of rain and wind. Lacey’s birthday party had to be postponed as we were going to have a beach bonfire party but it was a little to wet for that. So we visited the mall. As its basically the only thing to do inside on St Maarten.

Part 2 of their visit will be up next.