The situation is awkward because we are work colleagues, not quite strangers and not quite friends. The northern portion belongs to the French. The remainder is Dutch. It is Dutch St. Maarten that most visitors taste first, since this is where flights land and cruise ships anchor. On the Dutch side, virtually everyone speaks English.
Shops display prices in dollars and casino slot machines take only U.S. coins.
Even locals walk in Nikes. The only hints of Holland I find are the flags fluttering above the courthouse and a preponderance of Heineken beer. St. Maarten is a favourite stop on Caribbean cruise routes. The floating resorts anchor at the mouth of Great Bay and passengers come ashore in launches. Besides shopping, many take part in activities that range from racing America's Cup yachts to visiting the island's Butterfly Farm.