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Ennia Fete de la Cuisine in St. Maarte

St.Maarten / St. Martin feature article in New York Times

“36 Hours in St. Martin/St. Maarten” was the title of a recently published feature article in the New York Times travel section. Published on the web on November 4 and in print on November 7, the writer, Jeremy Peters, chronicled his 36 hours on the island and experienced almost every aspect that makes French and Dutch St. Maarten unique.

A number of well known restaurants, beaches and hang-out spots have been mentioned along with lesser known establishments such as the Love Hotel in Grand Case. St. Maarten’s biggest unofficial attraction, planes landing at the airport, also received plenty attention.

“Gambling is one of St. Maarten’s biggest draws and aside from the blare of a yacht horn or the squeak of a tree frog, the synthesized ping of the slot machine might be the island’s most recognizable sound. Near the French border, Princess Casino at Port de Plaisance feels removed from the ceaseless drumbeat,” the writer states.

On Porto Cupecoy: “One of the most ambitious and pricey new developments to land on St. Maarten is the Porto Cupecoy, a marina, condo, retail and restaurant complex built by Orient Express Hotels. Everything is immaculate, like the neatly arranged beach tables with umbrellas, and the carefully manicured landscaping.”

Peters goes on about the island’ naturist escape at Orient Beach and the atmosphere at the Red Piano bar. He also made mention that “Some of the island’s natural beauty is hidden behind artificial eyesores.” “Among the accolades awarded to Caribbean islands (most beautiful beach,

easiest on the budget, most relaxing), the award for most densely developed probably goes to St. Martin/ St. Maarten — the half- Dutch, half-French island in the West Indies,” he writes.

“That is not to say the island’s natural beauty is ruined. It remains a stunningly picturesque place with some of the Caribbean’s most arresting scenery (here it could win a prize, too). But all that development — boutique hotels, casinos, marinas, high-rise resorts — means visitors are never short on options. And thanks to a seemingly endless construction boom, those options keep multiplying.”

“Article taken from the Daily Herald”

The organizing committee of the CrystalPineapple Awards (CPA) fundraiser says the fifth annual

event will be held at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino and will include some “new twists.” “Together with the resort we have created a new highlight of the evening, our celebrities’ bartender cocktail hour,” organizers said in a press release on Sunday.

“Look out for the Champagne, Wine and Martini Bars, and see which celebrity makes you the best drink or pours you the best wine or champagne” advised May- Ling Chun of St. Maarten

Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHTA).

She said the Crystal Pineapple Awards has become “one the largest and fun filled events of the season, where ladies get to dress to impress and gents get to dress smart. Companies buy

tables and come out to enjoy the evening with their fellow colleagues.” The organizing committee is encouraging the community to start reserving their tables, as last year’s was sold

out and persons had to be turned away.

CPA 2010 will be held at Sonesta Maho’s Convention Centre on Friday, November 26. Artemia Event Planners “has again planned a wow atmosphere for this year’s event, which has become

one of the highlights of the evening,” it was stated in th
e release.

Nomination forms are available on line at www.shta.com, and can be submitted until November 12. Additional information can be obtained from SHTA, tel. 542-0108; e-mail: info@shta.com, or May-Ling Chun at 586-7120 or e-mail: mchun@ eyemc.net.

Excerpts from this article taken from the Daily Herald Oct. 25^th, 2010

Members of 4M Band said in a press statement they were keeping their eyes on the prize for this year’s Sint Maarten Carnival Season. With its upcoming CD, titled “Party,” 4M Band said it was planning to present various music styles during Carnival. The CD will be sold during the parades. Some of the songs can be heard on 4M’s Facebook pagewww.facebook.com/4mband.

Videos of past Jouvert mornings and parades can be viewed on www.youtube. com. This will be 4M Band’s fourth year in St. Maarten Carnival and the members are already planning for their fifth anniversary. They are currently busy brainstorming the execution of a number of events leading up their anniversary this year. With the help of fans, businesses and the community at large they are hoping everything goes as planned. This year 4M will be playing for the opening jump-up, Jouvert and last lap, as it is competing for the “Band of the Year” title.

The band will be playing for GEBE’s Survivors Carnival troupes during the Children’s and second day Grand Parades. This will mark the band’s second year playing for Survivors. In addition, the band’s members were made to understand that Livewire’s Farmville group would be jamming behind them during the Jouvert morning jump-up. “As everyone knows, Jouvert is a free-forall. Everyone is welcome and, of course, should keep it safe,” the band said in its statement. The band thanked all who had made it possible for it to take part in this year’s Carnival. “This is our Carnival, our time to shine and let’s all do it right. No fi ghting, fussing or violence. Just good fun for ‘Sweet Revelry Again for Carnival 2010’,” the band concluded.

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