On the Importance of Cultural Chats & Stuyvesant vs. the Spaniards
Visitor Highlight: Jonathan Berg
In today’s episode highlighting visitors to St. Maarten / St. Martin, the focus is on Jonathan Berg. And Berg is not your average visitor to St. Maarten’s shores. As he introduces himself: “I am a travel writer for The Royal Tour blog. I get to talk to people and learn from them for a living. I can’t stress enough how amazing that is — I’m so lucky to have a job centered on learning and personal growth!” Over time, his blog has garnered quite a loyal following, especially among history enthusiasts. “The Royal Tour is coming up on 10 years in 2027, so we’ll do something cool for that… I hope.”
Indeed — a history blog should celebrate history. But is 10 years enough to be called “history,” or rather a successful beginning? Berg’s career before this might surprise many, as it was far removed from travel writing. “People might be surprised to know that I’ve spoken internationally about mental health. Those who meet me are also always shocked to learn that, in my former professional life, I wore a suit and tie every day.
For Berg, travel runs much deeper than sightseeing alone — it’s about learning history and meeting fascinating people around the world. “What drives me are those little ‘a-ha’ moments when something I experience somewhere in the world connects with something I learned elsewhere. And then comes the challenging fun of trying to explain that to others.”
First Time in St. Maarten
Berg visited the island for the first time this year. What stood out most? “As a visitor, that’s hard to say, since I still have so many spots left to discover. My zen moment was sipping iced coffee from Double Dutch Café on a beach chair at Seaview Beach Hotel — that magical morning hour before the cruise passengers arrived.”
It wasn’t necessarily the island’s famous sandy beaches that impressed him most. “I’m not really a beach person — or rather, I’m not a sand person. I love the sight, smell, and sound of the ocean. So for me, sunset at Simpson Bay is the best.”
For Berg, travel is however not about checking off highlights or popular tourist spots. A voyage, by definition, is one of discovery — uncovering the historical and cultural layers beneath each destination. During his stay, he met several leading St. Maarten / St. Martin history and culture experts, including Clara Reyes, Jay Haviser, and Mark Yokoyama, to explore these deeper dimensions. What historical aspect stood out most? “For me, it has to be the two forts — Fort Amsterdam and Fort Louis. While they’re obviously ruins, the stories you can hear — or even just imagine — are incredible.”
The 17th century, when Fort Amsterdam’s foundations were laid, fascinates him most.
“Peter Stuyvesant lost his leg here in a losing battle against the Spanish! That piece of history is amazing. The time from the Spanish occupation through the Treaty of Concordia in 1648, and later the period of , really stands out to me. But honestly, any period I could discuss with Jay Haviser would be incredible!”
Berg also became a fan of other island history guides. “Mark Yokoyama is a hero to me, and Amuseum Naturalis is such a wonderful example of what’s possible in the world. To dedicate his life to education on such a micro level… that’s truly above and beyond — worthy of every bit of praise.”
Chatting for Deeper Cultural Understanding
Wherever he travels, Berg makes it a point to talk with as many locals as possible, seeking a deeper understanding of each culture. He says that’s especially vital for truly appreciating St. Maarten / St. Martin. “Any visitor should go out of their way to talk to locals — seriously. This place is called the Friendly Island for a reason. My favorite thing to do was meet people and hear their stories. Warmth, acceptance, welcoming… these traits are everywhere here. It’s rare in the world, and it’s a tribute to the island’s culture that no matter where you come from, if you live here, you’ll possess those qualities. Apparently, there are 115 registered cultural backgrounds just on the Dutch side. Wow! And every person I met was wonderful. It’s a core part of the island’s identity.”
Culture — always intertwined with his passion for history — will guide his next trip to St. Maarten / St. Martin. “When I return, I’d love to spend more time on the French side. Coming for a cultural celebration like St. Martin’s Day would make me very happy. There’s so much more to this island than beaches, no matter how beautiful they are. There’s culture, history, and incredible food. This place has it all, despite being so tiny!”
Nature also plays an important role for Berg. “Standing on the tip of Fort Amsterdam and watching the breeding pelicans — what a cool spot. Just me, the ocean breeze, and some of my favorite birds.”
The Culinary Side
Food is another driving passion for Berg. A big fan of the late chef Anthony Bourdain, a frequent visitor to St. Maarten himself, Berg admires more than just Bourdain’s cuisine. “I’m fond of anyone who strives to cross divides and find commonality. While someone like Anthony Bourdain stands out, he’s just the more famous version of what I see everyday people doing all the time. Meet, talk, learn — if you do those things, you stand out to me.”
Berg himself once appeared on a national cooking TV show in the United States. So, how did the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean” taste to him?
“While I love fine dining as much as anyone, I’m an absolute sucker for street food. Cindy’s Roti in Philipsburg was one of the best bites I had on the island.”
Following in the footsteps of his late idol Bourdain, Berg also explored local bars and drinks. “I’m not a shopper, but you can’t go wrong with a souvenir from Guavaberry Colombier Tradition. Guavaberry powder is seriously awesome. I also loved the vibes — and the rum punch — at Grumpy’s. I could definitely relax there, especially on a Sunday with football on. And I’m always up for a good Piña Colada. There’s just something about staring at the water with a frozen cocktail that makes me smile. Buccaneer Beach Bar at Simpson Bay made a great one — and paired it with my favorite sunset. You can’t go wrong.”
A Piña Colada also features in one of his most memorable moments from St. Maarten. “My last afternoon on the island, sitting with a cocktail — Piña Colada, of course — at Orient Beach with three new local friends I’d made during my stay. This is a place where friendship comes so easily, but it still surprises you when it happens. We drank, smiled, laughed, and shared stories… that’s what dreams are made of.”
Note: Jonathan wrote various articles about his stay, amongst others about the two important St. Maarten spices Salt & Sugar, experiencing the binational culture, enjoying the beaches and his time on the Friendly Island, based on his interviews.
