I needed a vacation.
I wanted a vacation, yes, but I didn’t realize how much I actually needed a vacation. I needed to have real conversations with my husband, and not just talk to each other in passing about bath time, nap time and poopy diapers. I needed to laugh until I cried. I needed to waste a day (or week) just sitting on a beach chair and listening to my own thoughts. I needed to remember that I’m more than just a mommy, and in the same day recognize that there is nothing else I’d rather be.
If you’ll remember, Mr. Cotten surprised me with a trip to Saint Martin for our wedding anniversary in May. The last time we took a vacation alone together was two years ago on our babymoon, and friends – that is too long to wait.
It became apparent to me while on the island that I have neglected my role as a wife. Being a stay-at-home mom has challenged me more than I could have ever dreamed, and as a result has demanded all of my attention. This vacation was needed. I needed to laugh, and flirt, and go on a grand adventure with my man. I needed to focus on us, for a change.
And with that serious-toned prelude, I can now tell you that 10 nights away from my one-year-old is a smidgen too long.
We did some amazing things, ate some amazing food, and had the absolute worst experience with US Airways on our flight home (oh, my complaint is most definitely in the mail). Instead of boring you all with a play-by-play of our trip, I’ll just post a thousand pictures and highlight the must-do’s and must-see’s.
We stayed in an AirBnB located in Cul-de-Sac on the French side of Saint Martin. Courtny and I prefer vacation rentals to resorts most of the time, however I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t stay at this particular place again. It wasn’t bad, but we know from experience that there are better options. Our studio was what we needed – nothing more, nothing less. It wasn’t exactly luxurious, but we didn’t spend a lot of time there.
We have stayed on both sides of the island during our trips, and after giving the French side what we consider to be a fair shot, we will probably only stay on the Dutch side if/when we return to the island. I love the French restaurants in Grand Case, but $100 a meal pretty much every night is too salty for us. Plus, the Dutch side has their act together – everything is clean and well-kept. The French side is practically falling apart in areas. It’s unfortunate, really.
Cocktails before ziplining at Loterie Farm
One thing we did on our first trip that we just had to do again was the Fly Zone Extreme at Loterie Farm. Ziplining is cool anywhere, but it’s extra cool when you’re flying down a mountain looking at the Caribbean waters.
We joined the rest of our group in the back of a truck, and rode a nearly vertical road to the top of Pic Paridis for two hours of ropes. If you have the chance, do it. Pictures do not do this view justice.
And because we decided to be crazy adventurous while on vacation, I booked us a day long sailing trip aboard the ScoobiToo. Another must do if you’re on the island. We selected a trip that took us to Tintamarre Island (an uninhabited nature reserve that has pretty incredible snorkeling), and the country of Anguilla.
Here’s the quick and dirty:
Sailing is awesome.
Anguilla is picturesque.
I felt like I was in Finding Nemo snorkeling with sea turtles. SEA TURTLES!
It turns out that my car sickness DOES translate over to sea sickness.
No one batted an eye when I lost my cookies somewhere in the Caribbean Sea.
Tintamarre | I managed to get off the boat and take a quick peak at the turtles, but I was so nauseous at the time this photo was taken that I spent the rest of our stop in a fetal position on the beach. No joke. The smile is fake.
Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla
Post-puking, and so happy to be on land that I took a selfie with the boat.
If that’s not enough nature for ya, we visited The Butterfly Farm and held butterflies one afternoon. It was actually quite magical, and way more fun than we thought it would be.
Other than that, we beached and we ate.
A lot.
Like, a lot a lot.
Karakter | Simpson Bay
I dream of the passion fruit daiquiris from Karakter.
Anse Marcel Beach Restaurant
Anse Marcel
Le Piment | Every restaurant on the island gives you a shot of house-made rum after your meal. I make this face every time, apparently.
Sunrise over Cul-de-Sac | I was not awake for this. Thank you husband.
Karakter | Simpson Bay
Boom. Vacation done right.
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Have any of you reading this ever been to Saint Martin? What were your must-do’s and must-see’s?
If you go…
{our favorite beaches}
Simpson Bay, Orient Bay, Baie Rouge, Anse Marcel
{our favorite restaurants}
Le Piment (Orient Bay Village), Ocean 82 (Grand Case), Bistro Caraibes (Grand Case), Karakter (Simpson Bay), Zee Best (Simpson Bay)
Looks like you had so much fun! I think I’ve been neglecting my role as a wife too.. and my baby is only a month old. I’ll have the change that.
I’ve stopped here a couple times on cruises, but I’ve only ever been to the big beach by the cruise port on the Dutch side, and I’ve taken a catamaran ride to a little island off the main island. The last time was on our honeymoon =) I’ve always wanted to visit the French side just to see it, but I agree the Dutch side is super clean compared to most other Caribbean islands!
Looks like you both had a blast. Ten days of relaxation is definitely wonderful. Hopefully one day I can visit Saint Martin it looks amazing.