Sint Eustatius (also know as Statia) is a small island south of St.Maarten.  A 18-minute flight took us from a developed Americanized island to one of the most authentic Caribbean spot I have seen in my life.

Statia has an area of 32 km square, but most of its area is undeveloped land with two amazing National Parks.  With a population of 2500 habitants, it has only one village, no local newspaper and no local radio station!  An island totally disconnected from the real world.

Locals are extremely friendly and are more than happy to say hello as you walk or drive down the street.  After all, what else is there to do?  This is a place where time is a foreign concept and where stress doesn’t exist.

We stayed at Statia Lodge which was the perfect relaxing getaway.  We were the only one there for 3 consecutive days!  Not a single soul for miles around.  Just the nice wind reminding us we were still in the Winward islands.

We hiked to the Quill, a moderate/difficult walk to a 600m rim crater.  The view and vegetation up there were to my expectations –amazing-.  We saw hundreds of volcano hermit crabs, hummingbirds and bizarre birds I can’t really identify…

Finally, we spend half a day exploring the numerous historical sites around town.  I was surprised to see so many well kept ruins, including the second oldest synagogue in the Northern Hemisphere.  Really, I wasn’t expecting so much from an island no one knows it exists.

Another hidden gem in the Caribbean.
Quick! see it for yourself before it is too late...