The "Pinel Island Explored: Part II - Pemanent Residents Of The Island" Story

A green iguana hiding in the shadows of a palm tree.
He is about five feet long.

It was an ordinary day.  Walking on the small French island of Pinel searching for interesting photo- graphs.  Wasn't long before I came upon an entire group of green iguanas.  Iguanas of all sizes ranging in color from lime green that were maybe a foot long, nose to tail, and weighing a pound or two at best to grey-green ones that seemed to be close to five feet long, nose to tail, that may weigh up to ten pounds.  

This iguana has a lighter green colorization.
Click on photo to enlarge it.

Green iguanas can be found from the rain forests of northern Mexico to Central America to the Caribbean islands to southern Brazil.  The term "iguana" is derived from the Arawak which is one of the first tribes in St. Martin.  They thrive best in temperatures ranging from 79 to 95 degrees F and feeding primarily on leaves, flowers and fruit, but let me tell you ... they seem to be eating just about anything and everything that the beach goers are throwing and handing to them today.  

These two iguanas can be seen despite
the heavy smoke from the kitchen grill.

Right behind the kitchen area of one of the beach bars on the island, Karibuni, are gathered maybe two dozen or so green iguanas of all sizes, waiting for the chef, or one of his staff, to throw something their way.  And, when he does, all hell breaks loose.  Survival of the fittest seems to be the case with the larger ones demanding the prime pieces of produce or scrapings from the grill.  The larger iguanas dominate, but not without some jostling from smaller ones who climb all over the larger ones, trying to get their share of the rewards.  In the long run, it seems as if all manage to fill their bellies with something.  I walked as close as possible, not wanting to spook them, and began snapping photographs.  I got down on one knee and they begin to walk toward me.  

This one is approaching my camera and
is more than likely seeing its image in
the glass lens.  His color isn't as bright,
indicating he is much older.

I placed my camera on the ground and snapped photo after photo as they walked  toward the lens, probably seeing their image in the glass of the lens.  The smoke from the grill lends an eerie mood to the photos of these reptiles that seem prehistoric with their armor-like shield and spikes down the center of their backs.  And, that tail ... well, they get that thing whipping around and that could really hurt if it caught you. They have large, round, very pronounced jowls which are located under the jaw which are protected by the sybtympanic plate which is a large green circular-shape scale.  They also have a white photo sensory organ on the top of their head called the parietal eye or third eye which cannot form images, but is sensitive to changes in light and dark and can detect movement.  Shortly, two young girls and one guy, all in their mid-twenties, walked toward them with leafs of lettuce.  

This couple are sitting amongst the iguanas holding
lettuce leaves for the to eat.  The iguanas show
no fear of them.  This one is reaching for the lettuce.

They sat amongst the iguanas and shortly were covered with iguanas of all sizes.  One large one sat in the lap of the male, not trying to harm him, but just begging for a piece of the lettuce.  In no time there were a dozen or more people with cameras and cell phones snapping away.  My wife walked over to me with a hand full of lettuce from her sandwich and said she would take photos of me feeding the iguanas as the other three were doing.  Thought about it for a minute and then declined, since I have enough medical problems at present and don't need to be bitten by those razor like teeth.  Just watching and taking photos of these prehistoric-looking reptiles was good enough for me.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS -  Check out the YouTube video of iguana feeding on the island of PInel. Also, remember to click on photographs to enlarge them.

This iguana came running when it saw the lettuce leaves being distributed.

This old iguana is inquisitive as it comes toward my camera.

Their scales and "armor" can be seen in this photograph.

A photo from the top show more of the scales and prehistoric look they have.

This green iguana still carries most of its color that it had when it hatched.

The "Pinel Island Explored: Part I - The Island In Photos" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in a wooden boat with about forty other anxious beachgoers heading to a beach off the coast of French Cul de Sac known as Ille de Pinel, or simply Pinel Island.  The island is known, at times, as St. Martin's "best kept secret."  Let me tell you, it's no longer a secret if you take into consideration the amount of people on the island today.  I'm going to make today's story a visual one since I'm sure you realize a picture's worth a thousand words and you'd rather look at a few photographs than read 16,000 words.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - Tomorrow's story will give you some insight into the miniature inhabitants of Pinel Island.

The ferry dock is just coming alive with boats being prepared to transport tourists to Pinel Island.

9:22 am and the first ferry departs in a little over half an hour.  Cost for the ride is 10 Euros or $12.00.

At the next dock boats are loaded to take supplies to one of the two beach bars on the island.  Since there is no electricity or water on the island, food products must be taken to the island on a daily basis.

Ferry fees are collected and passengers are loaded into the boat.  Our boat had a stencil on it indicating that 29 passengers were permitted, but we had close to 40 on the boat for the ride to Pinel Isalnd. 

We have reached our destination and the umbrellas from Yellow Beach are on the shoreline.

Being that we were on the first ferry boat to the island, we have first choice of seats.  Two chaise loungers and an umbrella cost a visitor $20. 

The edge of the umbrella can be seen with the beach bar in the background.

Behind the rows of umbrellas admidst the sea grape trees is the Paradiso Gift Shop which has a variety of souvenirs for the tourists.

These beautiful silk pareos are so colorful.  Carol and I have a few already, so we passed on this souvenir.

Amongst the souvenirs are a variety of bird feeders which actually hold sugar for the sugar birds of the island.

Two visitors to Pinel sit near the Karibuni Beach Bar.

Cooks at both beach bars are busy preparing meals for the visitors.  This chef has the charcoal grill going full tilt. 

Carol and I hiked to the top of the nearby ridge to take a photo of the beach on Pinel Island.  I had taken the same view for years, but didn't make it back to Pinel the past two or three years and thought it was time to make a trip once again. 

This is the view looking to the north-east from the top of the ridge.

This is the Ice Cream Boat that visits the island selling treats for everyone.

A "selfie" of the two of us sitting in the front of the ferry on the return trip.  The final ferry runs at 4:00 pm and you don't want to miss it or you may have to spend the night on the island without water or electricity.

The "The Rooster Crows" Story

A 1951 beach view of the Pasanggrahan Royal Guest House.

It was an ordinary day.  Sun was high in the sky with barely a wisp of air stirring in the beachfront town of Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.  Getting tired of walking Front Street looking for just the right gift for my wife for our upcoming 50th wedding anniversary.  Carol is naturally with me as we walk from one jewelry store to the next along the one-mile stretch of shopper's duty-free paradise.

Land side photograph taken recently.

"Time to eat," I tell her.  "Let's head down the street to the Pasang- grahan for lunch."  Close to the far east end of Front Street stands the Pasang- grahan Royal Boutique Hotel which is Sint Maarten's oldest and most charming inn.  The name of the inn, The Pasanggrahan, means guesthouse in Indonesian.  At one time it was the home to the Governor as well as the summer home of Dutch Queen Juliana.  

1960s photograph of Pasanggrahan beachside lounge area.

But, before that it was a rooster farm, hence the reason for all the roosters that grace the walls and even the advertising brochures of the charming vintage inn that sits perhaps a hundred yards from the crystal blue waters of Great Bay.  The West Indian-style inn, or guesthouse as it is advertised, is an historical national landmark and one of the last bastions of Dutch culture.  

Photo showing the main inn in white with the beach bar
to the left front.  The new addition is to the right while
the older rooms are to the left.

Located at the rear of the inn, along Philipsburg boardwalk, is their beach bar which compli- ments the interior Sidney Greenstreet Bar located next to the dining room.  Carol and I were ushered to our seats along the seaside railing and our drink order was taken.  Only one cruise ship is in the nearby port so the boardwalk isn't as busy as it is some days.  

Carol is heading toward our lunch seats near the boardwalk.

Drinks arrived and we placed our lunch order and I grabbed my camera to take a few photos.  The charming ambience of this place is amazing.  Furniture dating to 1904, when the inn was built, fill the vestibule as well as the front porch.  My favorites were the peacock bamboo chairs and Indian spool tables that sat under the gilt-framed oil that featured the portraiture of the "Dutch Queen."  

The new part of the inn.  The staircase
is beautiful with a central flower garden.

I found the check-in desk and asked the woman at the desk if I may take a few photos.  Shortly I found my way into the latest addition that was made to the inn a couple of years ago.  The stunning luxury renovation sports a staircase that was amazing with beautiful flowers in the central area.  All renovations were done to maintain the official National Landmark that the inn carries.  Finally decided my lunch was more important and headed back to our table.  The cooling breeze that came through the inn felt great on the hot and humid day.  Our table overlooked the boardwalk and white sand beach that touched the turquoise blue ocean. We often talked about staying at the Pasanggrahan, but never did.  

A room on the first floor is marked with the traditional rooster.

After lunch we approached the desk clerk and asked her about prices for the rooms.  Being this is the off-season, we could have a room with a view for $100.  Got us thinking about our trip to the island next year.  Now all we have to do is hope our health will allow us one more chance to visit our favorite vacation spot and perhaps afford us a chance to stay at the Pasanggrahan.  The rooster is calling!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

A watercolor of the entrance to the guest house.

Pen and ink showing the beachside of the guest house.

A beautiful chest on display in the lobby.  This piece of furniture comes from the early 1900s when the guest house first opened.

This was taken from the oceanside showing the new recent addition.

A beautiful bowl and basin on a small table.

A pair of bamboo peacock chairs can be seen in the lobby area.

The front porch is laden with period antique furniture.

This china cabinet carries the traditional rooster on the top.

The portraiture of "Dutch Queen," Queen Juliana is found in the lobby amongst many other portraiture of royalty.

This is the older side of the guest house.  This has views of the ocean and ship dock.

I found this set of seven bottles which at one time held Tripel Karmeliet which is a golden Belgian beer with high alcohol by volumn.  It was brewed by Brouwerji Bosteels in Buggenhout, Belgium.  First brewed in 1996 and uses three cereals: wheat, oats and barley.  Love the bottles, but not quite sure what the word reads that is painted across the top of the bottles in white. 

   

The "One Case Of Coke, One Case Of Sprite, And One Case Of Heineken" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in a brightly painted beach bar on Orient Beach having a plate of ribs and drink with my wife, Carol.  

Pedro's Beach Bar on Orient Beach

The beach bar happens to be one of the most popular, oldest, most energetic and iconic beach bars on the island of St. Martin.  This beach bar goes by the name of Pedro's and first opened in the early 1970's on the far south side of Orient Beach where the world famous Club Orient, the beach's nude section, is now located.  Pedro first set up shop with one case of Coke, one case of Sprite and one case of Heineken, serving drinks and BBQ lunches to the guests of nearby Le Galion hotel and beach who might walk over the hill from the hotel for some skinny dippin' and nude sunbathing in the waters of Orient Beach.  

Doorway into Pedro's Beach Bar.

Then, in the mid-1970s, a Dutch fellow, Reint Brink, set out from Holland in search of a place to open a clothing optional resort on the island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin.  Chartered a plane and while flying over Orient Beach realized there were already nude people enjoying the beach.  He bought the land and named it Club Orient.  He made a deal with Pedro and moved him to his current location so Reint could open his own restaurant, what is now known as Papagayos.  Reint also included water and electricity in his deal with Pedro.  Just so happens that Pedro's is now in the location where the cruise ship passengers are dropped off for a day on Orient Beach.  

Pedro grilling his famous ribs.

Many of those day trippers find their way to Pedro's for lunch.  As Carol and I ate our lunch, we began a conver- sation with the couple next to us and found they were from New Orleans and had arrived that morning on a cruise ship.  Our waitress for the day, Dernel, was a real sweetheart and helped me get photos of many of the staff and then helped me get a photo of Pedro while he was grilling a batch of ribs, his signature menu item.  Talked to Pedro a bit and then took a photo of him with his sister Elise.  Well, for almost 50 years now Pedro has been grilling incredible Caribbean-style ribs and  chicken for the patrons who have grown to love Pedro's on Orient Beach.  Try it some time and I promise you that you'll return again and again for this island treat.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - Check out the YouTube video of Pedro's Beach Bar.

Our waitress Dernel

Bartender Rollin, brother of Pedro 

Staff members Lin and Zaide

Beach Bar owner Pedro with his sister Elise