St. Maarten
Saint Martin is an island split between the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten (formerly part of the Netherlands Antilles, but now a constituent state of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) and the French collectivity of Saint-Martin. It is one of the smallest land masses divided between two countries. Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side, and is where our cruise ship docked.
In the early 70s she was completely refitted as a training sailing vessel, and in the 90s after another refit turned into a luxury, long term charter ship
. When Captain-Owner Pieter Bakker bought her, most of her classic features were intact. In 2008 the Passaat began making day sail cruises and St. Maarten became her home.
|
It was a beautiful day for a Caribbean sailing experience! The Passaat, Dutch for “tradewinds”, is a gaff-rigged sailing schooner built in 1911 in Hasselt, Holland. Her long history began as a pilot schooner on the North Sea. During World War II she was in German hands spotting for airplanes. After the war she came back to Holland as part of the war settlement. In 1955 an engine was installed, she was dismasted, her wooden hull was replaced with steel, and she worked as a fishing boat for nearly 20 years.
|
Drinks and snacks (banana bread, coconut cake and fresh fruit) were provided as we set off from Simpson Bay.
Certainly a highlight for all of us was the delicious lunch prepared by Mirian, either mahi mahi (shown) or chicken, with mango sauce, salad, rice, plantains and bread. As the conversation flowed and we all shared experiences, we felt like we had known all of these people for a long time, not just for the day.
|
We tendered back with Mirian to the Simpson Bay meeting spot and took a taxi back to the cruise ship.
UPDATE: We were saddened to hear about the loss of the Passaat during Hurricane Irma, and our hearts go out to Pieter and Mirian, who lost not only their lovingly restored boat, but their home as well. We will always fondly remember our sail with you!
Click here to see the Texas road trip that followed the cruise.
Click here to go to the home page.