Island Lifestyle

St. Maarten August 30, 2017

Review: Long Lunch at Sol e Luna, St. Martin

Hidden in a quiet neighborhood in the Cul de Sac area on French St. Martin, is a treasure buried in an otherwise mundane side street. Sol E Luna has long been a name whispered amongst those who have previously visited this little gem. It’s usually spoken about in a slight whisper, as if it’s a secret and speaking the name out loud would forever damage its sacred quiet atmosphere, sending hordes of people running for a chance to sample it for themselves.

St. Maarten August 9, 2016

The Importance of having a Bucket List

According to the urban dictionary a Bucket List is a list of things to do before you uhm well, kick the bucket.

To me the Bucket List is simply a list of things I must achieve or at least try my darnest to make a reality. I have lived far too long in fear of doing what I want to do and I am not the only one. You always seem to have a reason, or rather an excuse, not to do the things you wish you could. It’s always too expensive, too far, too early, too late or too something or there is always someone in the way: maybe if I was still single, when the kids grow up, yada yada yada. You know what I am talking about, don’t you?

St. Maarten May 11, 2016

5 ways to living a happier life at any age

I started blogging mainly because therapy is just too expensive and I already mentioned countless of times how I had a sudden revelation when I turned 40 (It’s a Big World out there) and how I was searching for myself (How to find yourself on a tiny island) and what all I planned to do to be a happier person (7 new year’s resolution I intend to keep).

Well, my kitten died on Sunday. It was yet another devastating blow in what has been a devastatingly crappy year so far. I lost a total of 3 pets, I had one major car accident, owe a small fortune in bills and have too many heavy arguments with my husband. So in other words Code Red on the stress level and hitting the reboot button has never been more appealing.

St. Maarten May 2, 2016

You may be a true island girl if

I was born and raised in the Caribbean and with the exception of a brief stint in the Netherlands have been an island girl pretty much all of my life. Even though I have not yet experienced each island in the Caribbean, I have come to the realization that we have quite a lot in common. This is mostly based on the different island nationalities I’ve encountered here on St. Maarten or the different islands I have visited in my lifetime.

What makes one earn the title of a true Island Girl, I wonder? I thought long and hard about this question and I came up with a few different attributes and have jotted some of them down below. Whether you were born and raised in the Caribbean like me or decided to make these magical islands your home, you are bound to identify with a few. And if not, you will hopefully at least get a good laugh out of it. There, my good deed for the week is done. You’re welcome.

St. Maarten April 20, 2016

8 Things to do in Paradise when it’s raining

So you have booked a trip to the Caribbean and the day you have eagerly been awaiting is finally here. You pack your suitcase full of bikinis and cute little outfits, sandals and flip flops to match and add at the last minute you add another bottle of sunscreen just in case. After all the sun in the Caribbean can be brutal. You finally get there and lo and behold it’s raining and the forecast for the rest of the week doesn’t look so great either.

Other Caribbean Destinations January 27, 2016

Old Wives’ Tales my mother used to tell me

Old Wives' Tales my mother used to tell me

Growing up on the gorgeous but super superstitious and religious island of Curaçao, I was constantly scared of something or someone. As an adult I often wondered if it was because of my personality but I am not one to shy away from anything. I’m more of a grab-the-bull-by-the-horn kinda girl, a real go-getter. But one day it hit me. It must be all those old wives’ tales I heard growing up, or the “Doom” scenarios described to me when or if I ever behaved badly. I still find myself making the sign of the cross for example whenever I drive past a church. Driving in Curaçao means crossing yourself pretty much at every intersection or street corner.