weimere@aol.com – Page 56 – Snapping The Globe

See Food!

If you are in Barcelona, near the Sagrada Familia and looking for a quiet, peaceful dining experience…stop reading…STOP READING…this is not the place for you!

A good friend of mine started a great Facebook page, Restaurants and Hotels Around The Globe…helpful to those of us who travel and are looking for fabulous places to eat and stay. The day before I was to be in Barcelona, she was there on a layover and posted about La Paradeta, a seafood restaurant near Sagreda Familia that she had dined in that evening. Since I had planned to visit Sagrada Familia on this particular trip, I decided that I would book my ticket in the latter part of the afternoon. The dinner hour starts very late in Barcelona with many restaurants not opening until 8:00 pm…it would put me in that location at the right time.

Locating Passage Simó on my map, I headed that way around 7:45 pm, thinking that I would be a bit early but would be first in line. This way, I would be able to finish dinner a bit early. After being up all night, I was quite tired and wanted to get back to my hotel to get some rest! Hmmm…everyone must have had the same idea!

When I approached the restaurant’s location, I noticed that a line had already formed. As I took my place at the end (I was number 15), I realized that this place must be quite popular! A very good sign indeed!

As the door was unlocked and raised at 8:00 pm, we entered and was confronted with a large, iced counter containing many different types of fresh seafood…lobsters, razor clams, squid, tuna, oysters, cuttlefish, crabs, scallops, crayfish… and each type was priced by the piece, pack or kilo. It was wonderful to be able to see everything that was offered and to be able to select the exact pieces and amounts that you would like.

After giving my order to the attendant, I was given a number and proceeded to the register where I gave my numbered slip and drink order. While I paid for my order (€30 for 4 raw oysters, 10 razor clams, tuna steak, salad and a large beer), I was instructed to take a seat and to listen for my number to be called from the adjacent window.

Enjoying my raw oysters while listening for my number, I decided that if you were dining with others and trying to carry on a conversation, it would be quite difficult. The woman at the window was yelling out table numbers in both Spanish and English, continually, in addition to the loud chatter of the other diners.

“MESA NUMERO SIETE! Table number seven”. Oh, good, I could quit concentrating on her heavily accented announcements…my food was ready!

Walking up to the counter, I discovered that only my salad was ready at this time. She check off the salad from my ticket, gave it back to me along with a huge plate, loaded with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and olives…definitely enough for two people.

Relishing my salad and beer, I tried to relax, all the while, training my ear for numero siete. Finally, my number was called and I returned to my table with a plate filled with razor clams and tuna. I have to admit, I have never had razor clams, but they were extremely tasty. The tuna was cooked a bit more than I like but was juicy, tender and delicious.

Finally, sensing that my table would soon be needed, I carried my tray and plates to the other window as I was instructed to earlier. Filled and happy, I headed back to my hotel for a much needed night of rest.

If you are looking for a place to relax and have a nice dinner with great conversation, you should look to another of the many fabulous places in Barcelona. But…if you are looking for freshly prepared and delicious seafood in a busy, raucous environment, this is the place for you! Affordable and easy to order and pay, the system’s method does help when in a group as everyone can pay for their own bill. There are six other locations throughout the city…Meridiana, Passeig de Gracia, Paral-lel, Born, Sants and Sitges for your convenience with the Sagrada Familia location being the largest.

Definitely enjoying my meal enough to return on another occasion, my only question left unanswered was, “With so many people constantly in line and at the register, how do you get another beer???”

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La Paradeta Sagrada Familia

http://www.laparadeta.com/en/
Address: Passatge Simó 18, 08025 Barcelona
Hours: Monday, closed. Tuesday-Sunday, 1300-1600, Tuesday-Thursday, 2000-2230, Friday-Sunday, 2000-0000
How To Get There: Metro, L2 or L5 lines, Sagrada Familia station

Unfinished Business

The late Antoni Gaudi has some unfinished business in Barcelona. An unfinished church…Sagrada Familia. Ever hear of it?

About three or four years ago, in order to accommodate my family’s busy schedule, I decided to work a trip that flew over the Mother’s Day weekend. Only the second time that I had ever been away from my children on the holiday, I decided that I was going to make the most of my day and find something extra-special to occupy my time in Barcelona.

Deciding to visit the Sagrada Familia, the preeminent masterpiece of architect Antoni Gaudi, in the Catalan city, I planned to spend my afternoon gazing upon the unfinished beauty of this magnificent church. Having studied architecture, I was touched by its complexity, references to nature and combination of Gothic and Art Nouveau styles. The fact that it had recently passed the midpoint of its completion enamored me further. Knowing that I would have to come again and again before its expected completion date of 2026 was okay…I could follow its progression.

Spending another day in Barcelona recently, I decided that it was time to re-visit Sagrada Familia to see how much it had evolved over the last few years. During that last visit, I had walked up to the church, waited in line, purchased my ticket and walked right in. Things were a bit different this time. Once I arrived at the hotel, I logged into the Sagrada Familia website and purchased a ticket. Since all tickets are for timed access, I was lucky to be able to purchase a ticket for a 5:30 pm entry. This was perfect. I could sleep a bit late, make my way in that direction and still be done by dinner.

It was a beautiful, sunny day as I walked in the direction of the one of the most famous Roman Catholic churches in the world, one, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Although construction began in 1882 and is still continuing, the church was consecrated and proclaimed a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.

Finding large numbers of tourists milling around the perimeter of the church, I made my way to the entrance and presented my ticket at the northeast side of the institution. Walking up the stairway, I had to take care to carefully make each step as I could not keep from gazing upward at the intricate carvings making up the Nativity facade which is flanked by four spire-like bell towers.

Once in the interior of the church, my gaze was immediately drawn upward. The vaulting of the ceiling in the apse is spectacular and something I have never seen in any other church as well as the forest of exclusive columns grown from the imagination of its architect. These columns were under construction during my last visit, but now stand tall, proud and almost treelike.

The choir loft is especially colorful late in the afternoon when the sun is low and the colors from the legions of stained glass windows are cast upon the walls. I suspect that during each part of the day, the church maintains a unique look relative to the illumination of the sun and its position.

Work is currently being done in the chancel and the area is cordoned off restricting a continual view of the space. The Crucifixion of Christ, the Expressionist bronze sculpture by Carlos Mani, which hangs above the high altar, however, is still visible above the construction walls.

Walking around the the rear of the altar, you will find the entry to the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament and Penitence, a space reserved for worship and contemplation and the location of Gaudi’s tomb. During my visit, I was unable to navigate this space as a private baptismal ceremony was being conducted. Here, you will also find the pipes of the grand organ than fills the space with its melody.

Should you wish to attend a service in the basilica, do not expect regularly scheduled masses as you would in other basilicas. Throughout the year, occasional masses are held which are open to the general public, though an invitation must be held to attend. Information when available can be obtained from the website.

The towers’ entry points are from lifts in the interior of the church. Since a separate ticket is required, I was unable to visit as no tickets were available when I purchased my entry earlier in the day. Six new towers will be added before the anticipated completion in 2026, with the tallest being 564 feet, making it the tallest religious structure in Europe. When finished, there will be a total of 18 towers, 12 being on three facades, the Nativity facade, the Passion facade and the Glory facade. An additional four towers will represent the four evangelists and will surround the largest middle tower, dedicated to Jesus Christ. The final tower dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary will be over the apse.
After exiting the church on the opposite side, turn around and set your eyes on the Facade of the Suffering Way. Not as detailed as the Nativity facade, this facade is expressionistic and modern. Gaudi once said that if he had started construction with this facade, people would have distanced themselves from his work.

After walking to the right, you can visit Gaudi’s workshop and the museum.

As with the interior of the basilica, light affects how you view the structure. Before you enter the Sagrada Familia, take time to walk around the entire structure and examine all four sides (though two are still under construction). After your exit, walk around again, I promise, things will look different as the sun changes direction and the type of light is casts. Truly a thing of beauty!

With about sixty-five percent of the Sagrada Familia finished, the completion date is planned to coincide with the hundred year anniversary of Gaudi’s death. The present chief architect is Jordi Fauli, who leads a team of forty construction workers. He is the ninth generation of architects to lead the construction of the basilica and is expected to be the final architect bringing alive the dreams and imagination of Antoini Gaudi.

Glad that I had taken the time to revisit this architectural phenomenon, my plans are to come back every three of four years until its completion. Next time, hopefully the towers will be on my agenda and I will experience all of the new renovations and additions that are in store. If you happen to find yourself in Barcelona, make sure to plan accordingly and see this amazing work of art!

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Sagrada Familia

http://www.sagradafamilia.org/en/
Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona, Spain
Hours: November to February, 0900-1800, March, 0900-1900, April to September, 0900-2000, October, 0900-1900, December 25, 26, January 1 and 6, 0900-1400.
Admission: Tickets may be purchased online (recommended) or at the ticket counter if available. Sale of tickets finished 15 minutes before closing time.
Option 1: Entry ticket, audioguide and towers, 29€
Option 2: Entry ticket, audioguide and Gaudi House Museum (Park Guell) 24€
Option 3: Entry ticket and guided tour, 24€
Option 4: Entry ticket and audioguide, 22€
Option 5: Entry ticket, 15€
Getting There: Metro: Lines 2 and 5. Sagrada Familia Station

Ache-y Wave-y

Teenagers always keep you on your toes…and sometimes hobbling along after you’ve gone along with their adventurous plans!

Our sons were extremely interested in going jet-skiing while on vacation in St. Maarten. They have watched many people ride in our local lake while out boating, but they have never had the opportunity to try their hand.

After checking out many websites, we were a bit dismayed to find that most operations only allow renters over the age of 18 to ride solo. Since both of our boys were under the age of 18, we would have had to rent two jet-skis and my husband and I would have had to each take one of the boys as a passenger. Of course, they would hear none of this! They wanted to experience the exhilaration of piloting their own watercraft.

Finally, after many hours of perusing the internet, I happened to find Jet Extreme Watersports, which not only specializes in Jet-ski tours, but also Hoverboard, Flyboard, Wakeboarding and Waterskiing. They also allow riders to ride solo from the age of 16. Okay, so we had a 15 1/2 year old and a 17 year old…we fudged just a little for my youngest!

Booking on our last day, we scheduled an 11:30 am Terres Basses/Lowlands Tour which was to last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Scheduling the trip that morning and finding the location (at the Mercure Hotel) was quite easy and we arrived a bit early than planned. The staff was extremely friendly, helped us to fill out our paperwork, let us watch the required video and then sent us off to the pool to relax a bit before our tour.

After the arrival of our tour guide, we were soon ready to depart, each of us on our own Jet-ski. Luckily, no others were booked on the tour, so it was as if we had our own personal trip! Strapping on a Go Pro, which we rented from JetExtreme, we planned to document our adventure and we set off through Simpson Bay lagoon and out to Nettle Bay on its north side.

After departing Nettle Bay, we rounded the western point and cruised near Baie Rouge, known for its famous color, then past Plum Bay, Baie Longue, Cupecoy, Mullet Bay, Maho Bay, Simpson Bay. Our guide pointed out areas of interest, including Donald Trump’s vacation home in Plum Bay and then allowed us to have a swim stop and rest near the cliffs of Cupecoy Beach. We then continued on to Maho Bay where we watched a couple of planes land from a much different vantage point. After passing our condo at Simpson Bay Beach, we reentered Simpson Bay lagoon, crossing under the bridge we traversed many a night dining in that area.

Riding the jet-skis was much different than I had imagined as I think I had only ridden a couple of times with my husband many years ago. The jet-skis were easy to operate and riding in the bays on calm water was a lot of fun since you could go quite fast. When we headed out to open water, however, it was a completely different story! A bit windy around this part of the island, you could not head full steam ahead unless you were prepared to be jumping waves! Maybe my boys cup of tea…not mine. I managed to sort of ride a bit in the standing position which helped when I did come down hard.

After finally returning to the Jet Extreme location, I was amazed to find my legs a bit shaky when stepping back to shore and my arms quite sore! Of course, my boys thought it quite funny…it’s always much easier when you are young! My husband was in the same shape as me and for the next couple of days, I have to say, we were both had a hard time moving around.

The location provided showers for us and also allowed us to use the pool for a while as we waited for our Go Pro footage to be downloaded. Take a walk around the premises, there are lots of sculptures and while you are down at the water’s edge, keep your eyes peeled for the cool jellyfish that hang out in the shallows.

A very fun time, indeed, my boys say that they would like to come back and try the Around the Island Tour. Lasting about five hours, it sounds like a lot of fun, but it also sounds like I might never be able to walk again if I try it!

Check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe for more pictures.

Jet Extreme

http://www.jetextremesaintmartin.com/
Address: Hôtel MERCURE – Baie Nettlé, 97 150, Saint-Martin
Hours: Open daily, 0830-1700
Terres Basses Tour/Lowlands – $120 per person, 1 hour 15 min

Picturesque Phillipsburg

St. Maarten is an island divided between two nations…the French and the Dutch.

The two neighboring countries live in harmony and travel across the border between the two sides is not regulated. In fact, while driving, if you did not encounter the “welcome” signs as you cross the border, you would not realize the change except for the few features that set them apart.

The island was split into two parts after the Treaty of Concordia in 1648. The larger, northern part was granted to France (Saint Martin) and the southern part (St. Maarten) was given to the Netherlands.

Many visitors to St. Maarten arrive by cruise ship which docks at the port in Philipsburg, the island’s capital, founded in 1763, by John Philips, a Scottish naval captain. Visitors enjoy the Dutch side for its casinos and duty-free bargains, art galleries and historic forts, while many visitors flock to the French side for its shops filled with French fashions and imported Gallic goodies as well as its beautiful beaches.

If you are not arriving by cruise ship, a short drive to visit to Philipsburg during your stay is a must as there are many things to see and do.

If you are an architecture lover, you will appreciate the many buildings that line Front Street. As opposed to the French side and its French Colonial and Creole buildings, the colorful half-timbered Dutch houses are the pride of their inhabitants. As you wander along, these buildings give off an air of friendliness and hospitality with their elaborate carvings and wrought iron balconies.

The Courthouse, built is 1793, as the home of Commander John Philips, has served as a court for successive governors, a fire station, a jail and a post office during its long existence in the town. One of the island’s most prominent landmarks, it is easy to spot on the main street. It is owned by the government of St. Maarten and maintains a spot on the list of major historic monuments.

Another building worth noting is St. Martin of Tours Catholic church. While the interior is quite plain, the exterior is bright and Caribbean-like maintains a location facing the beach. Another more impressive church belongs to the Methodists on Front Street. Sometimes referred to as the Old English or Wesleyan Church, it is a beautiful wooden clapboard structure with light blue accents. Built in 1978, it replaced the original church which was built in 1851. The inside is quite interesting with its blue and red accented galleries and wooden walls and ceilings, giving it a ship-like feel.

If you are in the mood to get out of the heat and learn a few things, a couple of museums exist in Philipsburg. The Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit (see my post, “The Yoda Guy”) run by artist and movie effects specialist, Nick Maley, is a fun place for the family and Star Wars fans. The Sint Maarten Museum is a great place to learn about the island’s rich heritage.

Shopper alert!!! There are many duty free options where you can buy a treasure trove of items. St. Maarten, a free port, has no local sales taxes, VAT or other indirect prices. Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, settings, bands, watches, electronics, perfumes…they are all here. Make sure you do your homework and be prepared to bargain.

Liquor prices on the island are some of the lowest I have ever seen. Many cruise ships will tell you that you can bring back five bottles of liquor per person, however, US customs allows one liter per person.

There is also a stall-type craft market that runs to Front Street. The vendors are extremely friendly, not pushy and willing to bargain. If you say no…they back off, unlike many other islands that I have visited. We did find that venturing into Philipsburg ensured better bargains and of course, less congestion, on days when cruise ships were not in port.

Another thing that I absolutely loved about Philipsburg was Great Bay and the beautiful beach that acts as a border between the many cafes and bars and the pristine, blue water. Tired of walking along Front Street? Take the boardwalk that runs the entire length of the beach. Some in your party don’t want to shop? Get them a chair and an umbrella. They can refine their tans while you shop til you drop! Great Bay and its beautiful beach is very unique and sets it apart from many other Caribbean islands that I have visited.

Whatever you decide to do in Philipsburg…eat, drink, stroll, shop, photograph or tan…you won’t be disappointed. It may be a cruise port, but one with a distinct character that has much to offer.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Philipsburg

Philipsburg Courthouse, Front Street, Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Philipsburg Craft Market, behind the Courthouse, between Front Street and Back Street
St. Martin of Tours, 51 Front Street, St. Maarten, Voorstraat, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, http://www.catholicchurchsxm.org/
Methodist Church, Front Street, St. Maarten, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten
Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit, 19a Front Street, St. Maarten, http://netdwellers.com/mz/planetp/home.html
Sint Maarten Museum, 7 Front Street, St. Maarten, http://www.museumsintmaarten.org/
Map of Philipsburg, St. Maarten, http://www.caribbean-on-line.com/islands/sm/pbmap.shtml

A Day in Anguilla

There are many islands in the Caribbean, but none with beaches as pristine and white as Anguilla!

Anguilla, a British territory, lies to the north of St. Maarten and consists of the main island of Anguilla and much smaller unpopulated islands and cays. Only 16 miles long and 3 miles wide at its widest point, it is widely known for its beautiful beaches, sailboat racing and outstanding dining experiences.

Easy to reach by ferry while visiting St. Maarten, you cruise into the Blowing Hole Ferry terminal after a quick 20 minute ride. Hoping to make the 0945 ferry, we arrived at the Marigot terminal, found a parking spot (an almost impossible feat!) purchased tickets, cleared immigration and actually made the 0900 ferry instead.

Planning to rent a car once we had reached the island, we were approached by one of the stewards on the boat who offered a car for $55, taxes and fees included. Since I had already checked out the list of car rental agencies and their prices before we had departed, I knew that this was a fair price. We were able to fill out the paperwork on board the boat, saving time once we arrived. After clearing immigration, we met the steward after exiting the building and was escorted to the car which was running and ready for us a few feet away.

Not quite knowing what the island entailed, we took a quick look at our map and quickly tried to decide which part of the island to explore. Heading to the west, we decided to bypass Rendezvous Bay since it was so close to the ferry terminal and instead drove to Shoal Bay West. Spying a beach covered in seaweed and rough seas, we decided that this was not the place for us. Crossing over to the north side, we tried Mead’s Bay which was calm, clear and beautiful. Everyone being quite hungry, however, decided that we should return to this location after exploring a bit more and finding something to eat.

Continuing eastward, we headed down to the area of Sandy Ground since it appeared to have more hotels and eateries. Driving down the inclined road, there is a beautiful view of Road Bay and the pink-hued salt pond on the right. When we arrived, however, it seemed that things were just being set up on the beach. The bay was full of moored boats and it didn’t seem like a place we wanted to hang out for a while.

During our journey east, we continued our search for lunch in the island’s capital, The Valley. There appeared to be a street fair and some lolos (barbecue stands) being set up in the town area, but nothing more than a Subway, which everyone decided was against the rules (you can’t eat American fast food on vacation in another country, unless it is an emergency!). By this time, the boys were wanting Jamaican patties, so we drove around a bit more looking for a place selling the delectable pies. Unfortunately, the bakery which would have sold them, was closed, strange, being that it was a Saturday. After a bit more driving, we finally decided upon a food truck for our lunch. Food was a bit mediocre, but it got the job done.

During lunch, after reading up a bit in the tourist magazine I picked up on the ferry, I discovered that Shoal Bay East was a beach that was highly recommended. We were not extremely far from this location so we decided to give it a try.

Upon our arrival, we noticed a few taxis dropping lots of tourists off and a couple of parking lots available. We paid five dollars to park and made our way down the road in the direction of the beach. A middle-aged islander sidled up to us and offered to set us up with chairs and umbrellas. We agreed on two chairs and an umbrella for $10, since the boys never sit still. The chair pads and umbrellas were a bit worn but, did the trick.

Taking a look around, I had to admit, this was truly one of the most beautiful beaches I had ever seen. Clear, turquoise and calm water extended out before us and our feet sunk into the soft, white sand. Very few resorts or restaurants were on this long stretch of beach and it was not extremely crowded.

We decided that since we had driven most of the island already and seen what there was to offer, this was where we would spend the afternoon before heading back to the ferry for our return journey.

A relaxing and beautiful day, we hung out, swam, snorkeled and took a walk on the mile-long beach down to the eastern end, where it concludes at the point. At this end, we discovered an extensive protected marine park, which offered up an amazing snorkeling spot.

There were a couple of restaurant’s offering food and some souvenirs…Eric and the boys found some great t-shirts and I got a cool hat!

Finally, we decided to end our day and head back toward the ferry terminal to make the second-to-last ferry (we didn’t want to risk the last one) stopping along the way to grab some drinks and topping off our gas tank.

Overall, we enjoyed our day in Anguilla, however, the burning question remains…would I go back and stay on Anguilla on a future vacation?

Happy to get another stamp in my passport, it was an enjoyable and different way to spend a day on our trip. Originally, I had run the idea by my husband to go straight to Anguilla when we arrived in St. Maarten, stay there for 2 or 3 nights and then return to St. Maarten for the remainder of our vacation. After visiting, however, we realized that the island is very quiet and probably more suited for honeymooning couples rather than a family with teen aged boys seeking continual entertainment. There are apparently some top restaurants located on the island, a plus for foodies, but not for us who enjoy a good meal, but would sometimes just rather have a pizza or a Jamaican patty. During my investigation of the island, I did find that there are some great nightlife spots in Sandy Ground, with bands and dancing on certain nights. Overall, I think that if my husband and I would return, maybe we could enjoy a couple of nights on the island, however, I think a day via ferry was perfect for us at this time.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Anguilla

http://www.anguilla-vacation.com/
http://ivisitanguilla.com/
Ferry Fares (each way): Adults, $20, Children (under 12), $10
Departure Taxes and Security Fee from Anguilla for Day Trippers, Adults, $8
Departure Taxes and Security Fee from Anguilla for Tourists, Adults $23, Children (under 12) $3
Ferry To Anguilla Schedule (from Marigot)
- 8:15AM
- 9:00AM
- 9:45AM
- 10:30AM
- 11:15AM
- 12:00PM
- 12:45PM
- 1:30PM
- 2:15PM
- 3:00PM
- 3:45PM
- 4:30PM
- 5:15PM
- 6:00PM
- 7:00PM (last ferry)
Ferry To St. Martin Schedule (to Marigot)
- 7:30AM
- 8:15AM
- 9:00AM
- 9:45AM
- 10:30AM
- 11:15AM
- 12:00PM
- 12:45PM
- 1:30PM
- 2:15PM
- 3:00PM
- 3:45PM
- 4:30PM
- 5:15PM
- 5:40PM
- 6:15PM (last ferry)
Note: There are charters available to Anguilla from other parts of St. Maarten, both Dutch and French sides.

Thirty-Seven

Thirty-Seven! Yes, there are thirty-seven beaches to visit on the island of St. Maarten!

While we loved the beach in front of our condo, we learned that many people pack up and drive to other beaches seeking a different experience each day.

We checked out a few others on our 8 day trip…here are our thoughts.

Simpson Bay Beach

Simpson Bay Beach parallels the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport and the picturesque fishing village of Simpson Bay. Primarily undeveloped, this beach runs to the foot of the Pointe Burgeaux rocks and was the beach in front of our rental unit. Though a little rougher on some days than the tranquil waters on other beaches, the sand was very soft, the water very close to our door and hardly a soul was ever on our beach.

Although our boys snorkeled the waters many times, no reefs are present and the only things that they ever found were some starfish and a few sand dollars. But the most exciting thing happened one day…we were extremely fortunate to witness a nest of baby turtles hatching and making their way toward the water!

Great Bay Beach

Located in the heart of Philipsburg, a promenade runs most of the way across its length and a great many bars and restaurants line the beach, making it a very convenient place to take in some sun. The waters are flat, clear and warm and there are plenty of beach chairs for rent and jet skis for hire.

Because it is convenient to the cruise ship port, accessible by a convenient water taxi, on cruise ship days, expect it to be quite the hopping place! It is a great place to get some shopping done as many vendors walk along the beach, but a block away there are lots of stores to browse when the sun’s rays get to be a bit too much!

Grand Case

After departing Philipsburg, we headed up the eastern side of the island. Not quite which beach to try next, we decided to stop in the charming fishing village of Grand Case. A little concerned when we first set eyes on the area, we found the beach to be a bit narrow and not many chairs appeared to be available. After walking a bit, a wonderful Frenchman at Le Soleil restaurant offered us the use of his loungers. He was extremely attentive and brought us beers throughout the afternoon and kept an eye on our belongings (though I don’t think there was much risk in our things walking away).

Grand Case Bay is a long narrow beach lined by celebrated gourmet restaurants and smaller barbeque-style eateries known as lolos. The smell from these lolos was divine and we actually came back on another day for lunch!

The water was calm, clear and flat and although not much to see in the way of snorkeling, my boy did find some pretty large starfish. There was also a partially collapsed pier that extended into pretty deep water providing a great place for my boys and some of the local children to do some diving and back-flips. Creole Rock is also located just off-shore and attracts many jet-ski tours, snorkelers and divers.

Dawn Beach

Located on the western side of the island, Dawn Beach was a bit difficult to find. After pulling into the Westin Dawn Beach Resort and Spa and asking the security guard how to find the access point, we were instructed to park in the Westin’s lot and walk along the right side of the property.

Though we found fine sand and beautiful palm trees, there were also continuous piles of seaweed lining the water’s edge as well as extremely rough water. Not spotting many swimmers or sunbathers, we decided to leave the location.

Orient Beach

Often described as the “Saint Tropez of the Caribbean”, we were anxious to see what this beach entailed. Situated on the north-eastern part of the island, it is one of the island’s largest and most popular beaches and well-known for being a clothing optional beach.

Having not planned to spend much time at this beach, as we had heard that chair rental and drinks were quite expensive, we pulled up and took a peek at what there was to offer. There were many restaurants, hotels, shops and water-sport rentals, such as jet skis, kayaks, sailing boats and paragliding trips.

The water was a beautiful shade of blue, although much rougher than what we expected. There were many small beautiful islands dotting the coast, such as Caye Verte, Tintamarre and Pinel Island, the latter of which is accessible by small ferries. Although visiting Pinel Island was tempting, we had just visited Anguilla the day before an decided to stay on the mainland.

Mullet Bay

Mullet Bay was recommended by another visitor at our villa unit. We were told to try and visit on a weekday as weekends were quite busy with locals.

Finally, making our way to this fine-sanded beach, located near a golf course and Maho Bay, we found the parking lot to be quite full…even on a weekday. The beach was quite steep descending into the calm, clear and blue water and extremely packed as three catamarans, filled with cruise ship passengers, were docked in the bay.

There were a large number of chairs for rent and a bar and restaurant. The ruins of the Mullet Bay Resort were visible on the point on the left side of the beach and provided for some nice photographic opportunities.

Maho Beach

Having seen pictures of airplanes flying right over Maho Beach, I have always wanted to visit. World-famous for its unique location right at the business end of the Princess Juliana Airport runway, crowds gather each day to watch airplanes take-off and land. This is a must-see!

More busy when cruise ships are in port, the narrow beach becomes extremely crowded and finding a place to lay a towel is difficult, although leaving anything on the beach makes it susceptible to jet blast blowing it away! Some chairs are available to rent at the Sunset Bar and Grill.

The water is calm, clear and blue and much quieter on days when cruise ships are not in port. There are a couple of restaurants and bars flanking each side of the bay, with the most popular being, Sunset Bar and Grill as well as a small supermarket on the northern end of the beach.

Some snorkeling can be done on the southern end of the beach and you may see the occasional tourist boat docked nearby for this reason.

Each of the many beaches on St. Maarten are different and offer many unique opportunities and amenities. Whatever it is that you are looking for…privacy, snorkeling, dining, watersports, relaxation…there’s a beach for that! Set out in your rental car and see how many you can check out on your vacation!

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The Yoda Guy

St. Maarten, a place of sand, sun, culinary delights…and Yoda?

One of the most unique tourist attractions on St. Maarten…or any island…has to be the Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit, located on Front Street in Philipsburg. A welcome respite from the usual touristy shops in the cruise ship port, the Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit is a small non-profit museum concentrating on movie memorabilia and history. After telling my husband and sons about the museum, there was no turning back…being huge Star Wars fans, they demanded that we visit while spending the morning in Philipsburg.

Nick Maley, an international artist and movie effects make-up wizard, known for his key contribution to the development of Yoda and other Star Wars characters, opened the unique museum in 2011. The museum houses Nick’s private collection of movie relics, duplicates and collectibles, including artifacts and life-size figures. The exhibits focus on the individuals and techniques that brought to life Yoda, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, the Terminator, Alien, Highlander and Superman, Harry and the Hendersons among others.

Our favorite pieces were the facial molds taken from various movie sets. So many familiar faces are on display.

There are many screens throughout the museum playing video of Nick recalling his part in making the many classic films that he was part of. There are also some new pieces from Planet of the Apes that are being prepared for the exhibit.

After making our way through the museum, we encountered Nick, in the memorabilia and art gallery part of the store. A kind and gracious man, he chatted with us for a while, answered our questions and even showed my boys how the museum’s Yoda was operated when it was on the movie set.

When taking a break from the the usual Caribbean island experiences, make your way down to this small, but amazing museum. A truly unique experience, the Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit should not be missed!

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The Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit

http://netdwellers.com/mz/planetp/home.html#_=_
Address: Planet Paradise, 19a Front Street, Philipsburg, St Maarten,
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 0930-1700
Admission: $10 per person

Cruising Czech-Style

Visiting many sights throughout Prague, you can’t help but cross or walk near the Vltava River. The Vltava is the longest river within the country which runs southeast along the Bohemian Forest and then north across Bohemia, through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice and Prague. It eventually merges with the Elbe river at Melnik and is commonly referred to as the Czech national river.

After spending the day at Karlstejn Castle and our quick trip to the Jerusalem Synagogue, we still had many hours of sunlight left in the day. Quickly stopping at our hotel to freshen up, we then headed north and made our way along the river near the Štefánikův Bridge where the boat companies depart for many different lunch, dinner and sightseeing cruises.

Deciding on Czech Boats, we opted for their one-hour cruise, purchased our tickets and waited for our boat, the Maria.

Soon we were on our way, beers in hand (purchased at the boat’s bar), basking in the sun on the upper deck.

The boat makes its way along the river towards the magnificent Charles Bridge, which it passes under and then turns around for its return voyage. There are many beautiful buildings that line the river and you will be able to get a great view of the Prague Castle.

If you desire more time on the river, there are a multitude of options including lunch, dinner, dessert and jazz cruises. Although the one we selected was not a very long cruise, the one-hour option gives you an great overview of many of the city’s landmarks.

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Czech Boats

http://www.czechboats.cz/
Address: Dvorakovo embankment, pier no. 17 (next to Stefanikuv bridge)
Hours: One hour tours, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:00
Price: Adults, 220 CZK, Children (3-12 years) 110 CZK

A Synagogue Second To None

Rushing to make the train to Karlstejn, I walked quickly, head bowed, with a quick glance to my watch ever couple of minutes. Passing down Jerusalem Street, nothing in the immediate area caught my preoccupied glances.

Taking the same route, in reverse, later that evening, at a much slower pace, I took in the astounding architecture that lies at every corner. Turning onto Jerusalem Street, with an upward glance…

“Whoa! How did I not see that this morning?”

Hard to miss for its Moorish Revival form and Art Nouveau decoration, the colorful Jubilee Synagogue of Prague looks like something out of Disney and beckons tourists to enter. Really, how could you not, especially if you are a fan of Aladdin!

The Jubilee Synagogue was built in 1906 and designed by Wilhelm Stiastny. It was named in honor of the silver Jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, however, since Czechoslovakia became independent in 1918, it has been called the Jerusalem Synagogue for the street it is located on.

Open as a house of worship for over a century, except for the period of Nazi German occupation when it was used to store confiscated Jewish property, the Synagogue is now open, during part of the year, to tourists and those interested in its incredible architecture.

Not the oldest synagogue in the city, nor located in the Jewish quarter of the city, Josefov, it is noted for being the largest place of worship in the city and certainly the most colorful. Because it is sandwiched between two tenement building, it stands out all the more. After entering through the horseshoe arches on the facade and paying your admittance fee, surprisingly, you are met with a basilica type triple-nave style with two transverse wings in which churches are usually built.

My suggestion is to take a seat and take a look…up, down, forward, backward…everywhere.

The nave and the gallery are illuminated by large stained-glass windows both in the walls and the ceiling. The large central arch frames a rosette window with the Star of David. In addition, wrought chandeliers hang throughout the building. Many diverse paintings adorn the walls and a large organ is located on the western tribune. The high Ark is adorned with a vine leaf motif and the tablets of the Ten Commandments.

After your tour of the bottom level is complete, make your way upstairs to the women’s gallery, where you will find an exhibition on the synagogue, describing its history and construction, how it withstood World War II and the changes to the Jewish community in Prague throughout history.

While not on the regular Prague Jewish Quarter and Synagogue tours, find your way to the Jerusalem Synagogue. Not like anything you have ever seen, I promise you will be amazed that something like this exists in Prague…even Europe. If you are visiting during the busy summer months (when it is open) you will also appreciate that with it not being on the usual touristy paths, it is somewhat quiet. More of a reason to visit and appreciate its beauty, architecture and history!

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Jerusalem Synagogue

http://www.synagogue.cz/cs/jerusalem-synagogue-page/
Address: Jeruzalemska 7, Prague 1
Hours: April 23-October 31, daily, 1300-1700
Admission: 50 CZK (about $2.00)
Getting There: Take a tram no. 3, 9, 14 or 24 to stop Jindrisska. Turn to Jeruzalemska Street just opposite the stop. You can also get there on foot from the Wencelas Square via Jindrisska street.
Regular Prayer Service: Fridays at 2000 (April-September), Saturdays at 0900 (year round)

Karlstejn Castle

Last fall, I made the trip to Karlstejn Castle (see Straight From a Fairy Tale, October 2015), the most visited castle in the Czech Republic. Built by Czech king and Roman Emperor Charles IV, it was established as a place to store the royal treasures, collections of holy relics and the crown jewel.

Located in the town of Karlstejn, it makes for a wonderful day trip and is an impressive piece of architecture.

My son loves history and I knew that he would love taking the train, walking through the quaint village and visiting the castle. Not much has changed since my last visit, except that it was much warmer and there were many more tourists.

The Basic Tour of the Private and Representative Halls of the Holy Roman Emperor is still the only one available for walk up guests. The Sacred/Holy Area including the Chapel of the Holy Cross tour must be booked in advance.

Since I had done the Basic Tour, I was a bit disappointed that I could not take the other, however, this time was a bit different. First, our tour guide spoke much better English than the tour guide on our previous trip, so, I was able to absorb more details of the castle’s history. The other thing that changed from before were the rules concerning photography…pictures are now allowed within the castle, on the tour. A welcome change, I was excited not to have to sneak photos when the tour guide was not looking!

Definitely, a must-do on a trip to the Czech Republic, I recommend leaving early from Prague in order to beat the crowds, especially during the busy summer months. Make sure you walk the grounds within the castle’s walls and visit the Clock and Bell Tower and the Well, all included with your tour admission.

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Karlstejn Castle

https://www.hradkarlstejn.cz/en
Address: Karlštejn 172, 267 18 Karlštejn
Hours: Jan 9-Feb 29, closed, March, 0930-1600, April- June, 0930-1700, (Tue-Sun), July 1-August 31, 0900-1830 (Mon-Sun), September, 0930-1730 (Tue-Sun), October, 0930-1630 (Tue-Sun), Nov 1- Nov 13, 1000-1500 (Tue-Sun), Nov 14-Dec 23, 1000-1500 (Sat-Sun), Dec 24-25, closed, Dec 26-Jan 8, 1000-1500 (Mon, Tue-Sun)
Admission: Adults 270 CZK, Students (ages 6-26) and Seniors (over 65), 180 CZK, Family Ticket (2 Adults + 4 Children max) 860 CZK
Getting There: Departures are from the main station, Hlavní nádraží or Smíchov stations, usually about every 30 minutes in the direction of Beroun.