St. Maarten and Anguilla Travel Photos

The cove at Cupecoy Bay, St. Martin. If only every morning run we took featured this view. First looks at our wee Caribbean getaway on the island of St. Maarten / St. Martin, a fascinating Caribbean melange where one half of the island is historically Dutch and the other half French. At the spot in the photo, we stand at the borderless border between the two countries. We have been engaged by @choicehotels to explore the concept of connection in travel. We're excited to have St. Maarten as the backdrop to do so. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1IEAj1e

Simpson Bay, St Maarten - Caribbean

Pelican-spotting as we set off on a sunset float on the south end of St. Martin. Shades of blue seem infinite. Because we are so close to the equator, Caribbean sunsets -- and all the color that go with them -- come and go quickly, underscoring the idea of enjoying what you have while you have it. #choicecaribbean

Orient Bay Beach, St. Martin. Where I brushed up my tanning skills today. Also revisited other life skills such as swimming, frolicking, exhaling, relaxing. Even for a professional vacationer, I could feel a bit of the "coming down" sensation I begin to experience as I let go. Necessary. #ChoiceCaribbean via Instagram http://ift.tt/1Z2aX1E

Marigot, St. Martin -- the capital of the French side of the island. Photo was taken from the sea/west side of the island while we were driving a "rhino", a sort of unflippable motorized speed raft invented by the folks at Rhino Safaris. Talk about a great way to see the island. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1NZEzed

Shoal Bay Beach on a clear day, Anguilla

Shoal Bay Beach, Anguilla. What you see is what you get, #nofilter needed. Lives up to the hype of #1 best beach in the Caribbean, #5 in the world. Gorgeous, clean, insanely blue, relaxing, hardly any people. An easy day trip from St. Martin. This is serenity with a side of paddle boards... #ChoiceCaribbean

Shoal Bay Beach, Anguilla

Tried to call home from Anguilla. Sorry mom, but no phone. By the way, remember pay phones?? When was the last time you used one of those? A little slice of nostalgia and Caribbean beach life at Shoal Bay Beach, Anguilla. #ad #ChoiceCaribbean via Instagram http://ift.tt/1QD2Vct

Trekking Guana Bay - St. Maarten

Morning hike -- Guana Bay, St. Maarten. As a writer, I dislike the cliché "hidden gem", so let's say this area happens to be one of the island's "unexpected pockets of rugged beauty." During our couple of hours walk with Joost, our Tri-Sport guide, we got insight into the history, geology, archaeology, and anthropology of the area. Also picked up great restaurant and other hiking recommendations for the island. #ad #ChoiceCaribbean via Instagram http://ift.tt/1NW359N

Maho Beach, St. Maarten just ahead of the Princess Juliana Airport runway. From tiny DHL mail jets to huge 747s, a continual show of dramatic landings runs right over the heads of beach goers. And this isn't even as insanely low as the planes go. Never have we seen an airport where jet landings and takeoffs are so dramatic that they are one of the main attractions. Check out the flight schedule written on the surf board at Sunset Bar and enjoy the show. #ad #ChoiceCaribbean via Instagram http://ift.tt/1OpsI3w

Fort Amsterdam near Philipsburg, St. Maarten

One flew over the pelican's nest. Am a big fan of birds, pelicans included. This one is a brown pelican, the national bird of St. Maarten, circling over a nest of them atop 17th century Fort Amsterdam at the turn-around point of our morning cycling tour. Got our fill of both bird and island lore from Barend our Tri-Sport guide. Much harder than capturing the history of this island was capturing a decent shot of pelicans in flight. Every time my discreet iPhone camera came out for a shot, they all settled down for a nap. #ad #ChoiceCaribbean via Instagram http://ift.tt/1Z8Cajb

Cupecoy Beach - St. Maarten

One of the benefits of an early wake-up in St. Maarten: a Caribbean beach all to yourself. This is the view of our morning run path from Maho Bay to the edge of Cupecoy Bay. #ChoiceCaribbean via Instagram http://ift.tt/1NR6Dys

A late afternoon look east to St. Barth's from Pic Paradis, the highest point on the island of St. Martin. A great little hike, well worth the effort, though you can do it in a vehicle. We even encountered a monkey in the rainforest-y jungle along the way. Sometimes it's nice to get above it all. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1I765nV

Back Streets of Philipsburg, St. Maarten

The doorways are back! Favorite doorway candidate #38, one I'll call "Back Street Caribe" Inspired by the old school Caribbean feel of Back Street, Philipsburg St. Maarten. While much of Front Street is consumed by shops and souvenirs, Back Street is residential with many families having lived generations in traditional wooden homes. Worth the extra (tiny) effort to walk back to experience the contrast between the two Philipsburgs. #ChoiceCaribbean via Instagram http://ift.tt/1O5sI8n

Audrey takes in the scenery of Nettle Bay, St. Martin. Donald Trump owns a castle in nearby Plum Bay. We knocked on the door, but he wasn't there. Something about him running for President of the United States. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1IV6Sbw

Trekking the Northern Coast of St. Martin

Hidden St. Martin: Sentier de Froussards, Anse Marcel to Eastern Point. Another early morning winner. Surprisingly beautiful and secluded 3-mile footpath out along the northern coast of the island. A couple of bathing-worthy beaches and fabulous windswept landscape that recalls my days in Northern California. #ChoiceCaribbean via Instagram http://ift.tt/1k5hfO1

Grand Case, St. Martin

Swimming lessons the local way. 1-2-3-4, back in the water for a little more. The pier at Grand Case, St. Martin. This is the Caribbean.

Dan and Audrey at the top of Pic Paradis - St. Martin

Dan and Audrey at the top of Pic Paradis - St. Martin.

Rum Tasting at Topper's Rhum -Simpson Bay, St. Maarten

A round of rum tasting at Toppers' Rhum production in St. Maarten.

Guana Bay Trek - St. Maarten

Beautiful landscapes along Guana Bay trek in St. Maarten.

View from atop Pic Paradis - St. Martin

Views of the eastern coast from the top of Pic Paradis, the highest peak in St. Martin.

Dan and Joost Along Guana Bay Trek - St. Maarten

Hiking along the eastern coast of St. Maarten.

Brown Pelican at Sunset - Pelican Key, St. Maarten

A brown pelican suns himself in the setting sun just before our AquaMania sunset cruise. Pelican Key, St. Maarten.

St. Maarten Coastline Along Guana Bay Trek

Guana Bay trek and gorgeous coastline - St. Maarten.

Grand Case Coastline - St. Martin

Beach scene and balconies in Grand Case, St. Martin.

Coastline Views from Pic Paradis - St. Martin

Views from the top of Pic Paradis, St. Martin.

Dan Along the Guana Bay Trek - St. Maarten

Beautiful landscapes and coastline as Dan hikes along Guana Bay in St. Maarten.