The Good Life is in St. Martin in the Caribbean

St. Martin also spelled St. Maarten is located in the Caribbean Sea. This island is owned by two countries France and Holland, the residents speak four languages, French, Dutch, English and the local dialect called Paplimente. But most importantly this island with two halves, two owners and four languages offers a gateway to the good life.

Let's talk about the Dutch side of the good life on St. Martin. For those of us who have a sweet tooth there is duty free Dutch chocolate on the Dutch side of the island . Imported straight from Holland the Dutch side of St. Martin allows anyone to partake of world renowned chocolates and confections at a price that can't be beat.

The Dutch side is also the place to party in this island paradise. There are many casinos and large resort hotels on the Dutch side of St. Martin. There are no casinos and nightclubs on the French side of the island. The French version of the good life is more laid back, but we will get to that later.

Most of the resorts on the Dutch side have a bar actually in the pool so you don't have to come out of the water to enjoy your favorite drink. Please try a guava berry colada while on St. Martin. It is a must for enjoying the good life. This frozen fruity drink has a taste that is sublime and leaves the recipient with a very mellow disposition after partaking.

After a morning swim in the pool head down to the main town for duty free shopping! There is a large selection of clothing for both men and women and the prices are spectacular. Every single store owner is willing to bargain on the prices of their wares and a skilled haggler will find him or herself laden with shopping bags with nary a dent in the credit card. You may come to St. Martin with one suitcase but you will leave with about three.

The local islanders drive on the right side of the road like people are accustomed to in the States so you can rent a car and tour the island or hire a taxi tour, your choice . All in all the Dutch side of the island provides a blend of nightlife, gambling, and island flavor to the good life.

The French side of the island offers a much more laid back version of the good life than its Dutch counterpart. So it is important to obey the one rule that the French side has instituted to preserve their version of the good life. There are no cell phones allowed on the French side of the island, seriously

The French take their peace and quiet rather seriously, and usage of a cell phone will get you a ticket or get your phone confiscated by the local gendarmes. That said, this is the very reason why so many people stay on the French side of the island. No cell phones means no interruptions of the good life and a chance to really relax!

On the French side a body can enjoy exquisite blends of French and local cuisines at a plethora of restaurants and cafes. There is also an extensive selecton of French wines and perfumes on this side of the island.

If you are a coffee lover then the French side is your cup of tea. Almost all of the cafes offer gourmet coffee blends, both hot and cold. The French side of St. Martin sees coffee as an all day drink and it can be ordered with any meal.

After a delicious meal followed by an iced vanilla latte at a café, it is just a 10minute drive to the Butterfly aviary. The largest of its kind in the world, the butterfly aviary has dozens of species of tropical butterflies. Unlike a zoo visitors actually enter the exhibits where the butterflies live. The winged residents get so many visitors a year that they are actually quite tame and if you hold still they will land on you. Whip out your digital camera and take a picture of yourself covered in butterflies living the good life.

From the butterfly exhibit it is a 5 minute stroll to Orient beach. Orient beach is a six mile stretch of white sand that is unique in that half of it is a regular beach and the other half is a nude beach. The good life on St. Martin has a wild side as well. If you have never been nude sunbathing then this is your chance. Just remember that the no clothing and no camera rules on the nude beach are strictly enforced. If you want to be on the nude side of the beach then you are only allowed to wear your birthday suit.

The regular side of the beach has all the things that you would expect from a tropical
paradise that you would expect. There is parasailing, jet skis and kayaks for rental and if you feel like you can even take a 3 hour island hop to the neighboring islands of Saaba and St. Eustatius. The snorkeling along Orient beach is beautiful and the waters are calm with no tricky currents to deal with. The French side of St. Martin offers a tranquil, sophisticated but risqué version of the good life for those who venture there.

So what are you waiting for the good life is in St. Martin or St. Maarten. Whichever way you choose to spell it, French or Dutch side, take your pick the good life is there.