The "For the Beach Lover: Baie Orientale - Part II" Story

It was an ordinary day. Just made calls to the newspaper to cancel the paper, to Capital One to report dates when I'll be out of the country, and to the security company to tell them who will be house and cat sitting while we are away. Checking the camera equipment and laptop to make sure everything is in working order and all batteries are charged. Orient Beach in St. Martin is calling again! Yesterday I entered a story about the history of Orient Beach and today's story continues with the

beach in the 21st century. Orient Beach is located naturally on the shores of Orient Bay, on the French side of St. Martin. Known as the "Saint Tropez of St. Martin" and with good reason. The Bay actually consists of five main beaches, called the "5 stars of Orient Bay"; Kontiki, Kakao, Bikini Beach, Waikiki and Coco Beach, named after their respective beach bars and each next to another. Burgandy colored chairs from one beach bar line up with blue colored chairs from another beach bar and the chairs go on and on. Orient Bay has numerous restaurants and bars along the beach, a variety of water sport activities, boutiques and shops, as well asa hotel or two and resorts. At the northern end of the beach was the Mont Vernon Beach Resort which fell into disrepair a few years ago and is now being sold to individual buyers and turned into condo units. On the southern end of the beach is the world famous Club Orient, the island's only naturist resort located directly on a beach. Club Orient has 137 units, The Papagayo Restaurant, the Perch Bar, tennis courts and mini-market so you don't need to wear a stitch of clothing your entire vacation. A few short steps to the north of Club Orient is Pedro's as well as Andy and Cheryl's Baywatch Restaurant. Baywatch is our favorite beach eatery with "Mussels ala Andy" our choice for a meal. Andy even has one of our license plate hammered to one of the rafters of Baywatch. A few shops follow to the north with beachwear and souvenirs. Then comes Luis' custom made bathing suits. He does a fantastic business, measuring you one day and having your suit ready by the next day. The "5 stars of Orient Bay", follow. Kontiki, one of the stars, was voted in the Jan./Feb. issue of Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine as the second best restaurant in the Caribbean. Further down the beach is Palm Beach with their beach bar and restaurant followed by BooBoo Jams, a truly Caribbean themed beach bar. Small brightly colored huts sell clothing and trinkets and weekly music festivals are held at this island gathering place. Then comes the Mont Vernon. The major attraction of Orient Beach for Carol and me is the two mile long stretch of pure, soft white sand, cool to the touch. The the multi-colored turquoise and aqua colored water ranges from a pleasant 77 degrees in winter to 90 degrees in summer with about 60-100 feet visibility. A leisurely stroll the length of the beach reveals many sights and sounds. Orient is not only a clothing optional beach, but a place with non-stop action. Whether you're into para-sailing, snorkeling, jet-skiing, people watching or just laying under an umbrella on a lounge chair with a beer or a tropical drink and a good book, the "Saint Tropez of St. Martin" is waiting for you. Can hardly wait!! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - pixs from the top are: map of Sint Maarten (Dutch) and St. Martin (French) showing an orange star where Orient Beach is located (French side of island), southern end of the beach featuring the naturist resort Club Orient, sign that separates Club Orient from the rest of Orient Beach, Andy and Cheryl's Baywatch beach restaurant, view looking north from Kakao beach, beach bar at Kon Tiki, and the beach bar and shops of BooBoo Jams. The final part of my story, Part III, takes place in real time. Just as soon as we get there!