This is the last post from our 2 years in St Maarten (of course we're already in the States as I write this). Our last couple weeks on the island flew by. It was full of bittersweet moments. We made sure to get some more beach time in while it was still our "backyard." We had a nightly Carousel outing. Dinners with friends. Moonlight kayaking. Hiking. We tried to make the most out of our last days, especially spending time with friends since we had done a good job of enjoying the island over the last 2 years. We even managed to get checked out of our apartment and get our entire deposit back (minus the mandatory(unnecessary) cleaning fee), now if you knew our landlord company, you'd know this is nearly unheard of! We also had the pleasure of ending our time on the island with Tropical
Storm Isaac. Thankfully the storm turned so we were able to fly out on
time.
It has been an awesome 2 years. We have so many wonderful memories and friendships from St Maarten. We want to thank everyone who has made this experience so special. Thank you to all our AUC friends, Soc at
Island92, Chris and Sally at
Octopus Diving, Suzy and Juan Pablo at
TriSport, and everyone else we've met along the way. We love you all and miss you already. See you in 2015 for graduation!!
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| Last picture of St Maarten |
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| After 2 years of looking at these, we finally got one to celebrate Owen passing all his exams! |
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| Hiking with Cows |
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| Market in Marigot |
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| We decided to try shark |
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| Actually pretty good |
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| Shark dinner with Cayleigh, Jason, and their friend Jack |
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| Sean, Alie, and Ella (before taking them to the airport) |
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| Night kayaking (with Chris, Thao, Cayleigh, & Jason) |
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| Last good beach day (2 days before leaving, due to Isaac) |
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| Before |
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| After |
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| Before |
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| After |
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| Our shells on the window sill |
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| Always loved watching the wall of rain come over the mountains (thanks Isaac) |
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| The outer bands of Isaac, even that can destroy the beaches and make for nasty weather |
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| Goodbye St Maarten |
This is the last post from our 2 years in St Maarten (of course we're already in the States as I write this). Our last couple weeks on the island flew by. It was full of bittersweet moments. We made sure to get some more beach time in while it was still our "backyard." We had a nightly Carousel outing. Dinners with friends. Moonlight kayaking. Hiking. We tried to make the most out of our last days, especially spending time with friends since we had done a good job of enjoying the island over the last 2 years. We even managed to get checked out of our apartment and get our entire deposit back (minus the mandatory(unnecessary) cleaning fee), now if you knew our landlord company, you'd know this is nearly unheard of! We also had the pleasure of ending our time on the island with Tropical
Storm Isaac. Thankfully the storm turned so we were able to fly out on
time. 
Dear Jamie and Owen,
ReplyDeleteIt is truly bittersweet for us as well to read this last post about your years in St. Maarten. We were privleged to be able to spend time with you on the island, seeing it through your eyes, meeting your friends, experiencing so many things the "Grove Way" in the company of many wonderful people.
In typical fashion you two already had your lives in motion there before you ever landed on the island and we cannot imagine how anyone could have made more out of the experience or more fully immersed themselves in the lifestyle and opportunities than you did. It was truly a fully realized, fully adopted two years on your island home and as such you can leave with only the best of regrets--you missed nothing and now have a lifetime of memories and friendships to enjoy again and again whervever you all meet up in the world.
Thank you for taking us on this ride with you. It was a blast!!!!
We look forward to your time in England. A shorter visit, but so many opportunities. As Owen the climber and skiier says, "Europe is where they keep the Alps..."
Stay tuned indeed :)
With much love,
Dave and Char