A cheap and fast tourist boat takes you from “mainland” St Martin to Pinel Island. It’s a great place for some quiet beach time, lazy hiking, and snorkelling. Come early in the mornings (9am-ish...remember, it is an island, and departure times are not really “official”) and grab a spot at one of the few food and beverage purveyors (a bit pricey). Or get the best beach spots - free of charge.
In this June 25, 2019, photo, a visitor takes photos of beckoning cat figurines at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo. According to a centuries-old legend provided by the temple, Gotokuji, a Buddhist temple located in the quiet neighborhood of Setagaya, is the birthplace of beckoning cats, the famous cat figurines that are widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity to home and businesses. Some visitors come just to snap a few photos, while others make a trip to the temple to pray and make wishes. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Courtesy of AP Photo
In this June 25, 2019, photo, a visitor takes pictures of beckoning cat figurines at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo. According to a centuries-old legend provided by the temple, Gotokuji, a Buddhist temple located in the quiet neighborhood of Setagaya, is the birthplace of beckoning cats, the famous cat figurines that are widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity to home and businesses. Some visitors come just to snap a few photos, while others make a trip to the temple to pray and make wishes. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Courtesy of AP Photo
In this June 25, 2019, photo, beckoning cat figurines are on display at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo. According to a centuries-old legend provided by the temple, Gotokuji, a Buddhist temple located in the quiet neighborhood of Setagaya, is the birthplace of beckoning cats, the famous cat figurines that are widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity to home and businesses. Some visitors come just to snap a few photos, while others make a trip to the temple to pray and make wishes. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Courtesy of AP Photo
In this July 2, 2019, photo, a prayer is written on a wooden panel donned with an image of a beckoning cat at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo. According to a centuries-old legend provided by the temple, Gotokuji, a Buddhist temple located in the quiet neighborhood of Setagaya, is the birthplace of beckoning cats, the famous cat figurines that are widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity to home and businesses. Some visitors come just to snap a few photos, while others make a trip to the temple to pray and make wishes. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Courtesy of AP Photo
In this June 25, 2019, photo, commuters ride a Setagaya Line train donned with images of beckoning cats near Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo. According to a centuries-old legend provided by the temple, Gotokuji, a Buddhist temple located in the quiet neighborhood of Setagaya, is the birthplace of beckoning cats, the famous cat figurines that are widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity to home and businesses. Some visitors come just to snap a few photos, while others make a trip to the temple to pray and make wishes. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Courtesy of AP Photo
In this June 25, 2019, photo, a small beckoning cat figurine is place on top of a large statue at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo. According to a centuries-old legend provided by the temple, Gotokuji, a Buddhist temple located in the quiet neighborhood of Setagaya, is the birthplace of beckoning cats, the famous cat figurines that are widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity to home and businesses. Some visitors come just to snap a few photos, while others make a trip to the temple to pray and make wishes. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Courtesy of AP Photo
In this June 25, 2019, photo, a small beckoning cat figurine is place on top of a large statue at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo. According to a centuries-old legend provided by the temple, Gotokuji, a Buddhist temple located in the quiet neighborhood of Setagaya, is the birthplace of beckoning cats, the famous cat figurines that are widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity to home and businesses. Some visitors come just to snap a few photos, while others make a trip to the temple to pray and make wishes. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Courtesy of AP Photo
Feline figurines at the Gotokuji Temple have their right paws raised to symbolize the welcoming of wealth and prosperity.
Courtesy of AP Photo
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Resting after some snorkelling and hiking, Pinel Island, St Martin
A cheap and fast tourist boat takes you from “mainland” St Martin to Pinel Island. It’s a great place for some quiet beach time, lazy hiking, and snorkelling. Come early in the mornings (9am-ish...remember, it is an island, and departure times are not really “official”) and grab a spot at one of the few food and beverage purveyors (a bit pricey). Or get the best beach spots - free of charge.
Lobster on the beach
We never go for the overpriced meals offered on Caribbean beaches, but during a trip to Saint-Martin, with mobility limited due to illness I needed a treat. So, while my wife happily snorkeled around this charming preserve/tourist trap slightly offshore from Cul de Sac on the French side, I ordered a lobster dinner. At least I knew it would be fresh, because the lobsters were kept in a cage at water’s edge. The quality was a pleasant surprise, only slightly overgrilled and served with a fresh salad and standard-issue fries. This is a great little day trip, made more fun if you can walk around and snorkel. There’s a slightly scary ride on a creaky launch each way, but the water’s not very deep and some people choose to swim, or you can rent kayaks.
