TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin More construction in Marigot

It actually rained today! Cloudy and cool for a beach day so we headed into Marigot from Orient area to visit the market since there were 3 ships in port today and we thought most stands would be open at market. First place we stopped told us that they are going to tear all the old buildings down that now house the restaurants next to the parking lot. Going to put a Casino there. Market people aren't sure where they will be moved to. Stopped at some of our favorite stands such as St. Martin by Micka who makes small ceramic tiles. We now have 10 of them. Stopped for another t-shirt at Secret Spot. Now have 9 of them. Made one final purchase of a pair of small hand-painted salt and pepper shakers. We have given them to many as gifts, but Carol wanted a set for herself. Visited with a few other stand holders we have gotten to know over the years and then wanted to visit the small brightly painted art gallery across the street from the market. When we were on the island six months ago it was closed. Today is Labor Day on the island and it was closed again. We will stop there another day. I'm hoping she still has a few of the Straub wood inlays for sale. Have been meaning to get one of them for years. Hope I haven't waited too long! We wanted to stop at Richardson's gallery, but he is only open Thursdays unless you have an appt. A few other notes...I used my handicap placard in the parking lot and actually had it checked by the Gendarmes. There were 3 open spots marked in blue and had no trouble pulling into them. Drove up by the Catholic Church and parked at the foot of Fort. Walked the final way to the top to take a few photos. Plan to use them to write a story for my blog. Wasn't the best day for photos, but one I got with my phone turned out really neat. Roads from Marigot to Orient are awful. So much construction. When you enter Marigot from the east you must bear right at the round-a-bout. Coming from the west you must go past the stadium and grocery store since that is one way east. Hey, it's vacation and all is well!!

Good to hear some rain finally. A casino on the French side????????

The casino is a small grocery store.

Oh, ok, Petit Casino? They just said 'casino'.

Were those blue spots for handicap parking or for the designated timed permit parking?

Didn't the "blue spot" parking thing go by the wayside?

Not sure. That is why I was asking. I don't get into Margot other than to drive through going or returning from Orient or Pinel.

As we pulled into the parking area next to the restaurants that are part of the area where the outdoor market is held, there were two blue handicapped spots. Someone was standing there and asked to see my placard. After posting it on my mirror, they left me park there. There was no time limit, though we were there only an hour at the most.

Good to know someone actually checks on the use (often times abuse?) of handicapped stickers. I drove ailing parents for years and really, unless you've dealt with the intricacies of getting people in and out of vehicles and in and out of their wheel-chairs or walkers, you have no idea how important those spaces are to those who really need them. Glad someone is paying attention, if only sporadically.

Think it was mentioned in a previous post, but just clarifying this again. Are you saying that our US disabled placards are allowed?

"biglar" mentioned it in his initial post in this thread.



I think it will be hit or miss with finding handicap parking and it will be minimal when one does.

Yes! My placard is from Pennsylvania

Yes, mine is from PA