2. 2013

St Maarten in November

Working here in the Caribbean has its distinct benefits. In November about 10 colleagues and I headed off to a DeVry conference at the American University of the Caribbean - one of our sister medical schools. It was a chance to mingle with our colleagues across the sea (about 3 islands away), showcase our work and view theirs, and best of all, to visit the beautiful island of St Maarten (southern Dutch side) and St Martin (northern French side). It felt really great to be back in Europe for a weekend! And we also had an extremely important date with Ruth, our simulated donkey...
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  • First we had to get there, so we crammed into this tiny piper charter plane piloted by the erstwhile Mike of www.flywindies.com. He can take 5 passengers so he ferried us over in 2 flights. The views were spectacular and we all knew that if we went down we'd probably die, albeit in a very beautiful place. It was definitely the most fun I've had since I arrived in the Caribbean, narrowly beating the time we got caught in a ferry between Nevis and St Kitts during a spectacular storm.

    First we had to get there, so we crammed into this tiny piper charter plane piloted by the erstwhile Mike of www.flywindies.com. He can take 5 passengers so he ferried us over in 2 flights. The views were spectacular and we all knew that if we went down we'd probably die, albeit in a very beautiful place. It was definitely the most fun I've had since I arrived in the Caribbean, narrowly beating the time we got caught in a ferry between Nevis and St Kitts during a spectacular storm.

  • Flying Fred edited

    Flying Fred edited

  • After half an hour and several islands we arrived over the stunning island of St Maarten

    After half an hour and several islands we arrived over the stunning island of St Maarten

  • St Maarten by John

    St Maarten by John

  • This was followed by an amazing landing and rapid arrival into the tiny airport on the French side. We were through in about 1 minute, and Mike was gone again before we'd even arrived, running before the oncoming night.

    This was followed by an amazing landing and rapid arrival into the tiny airport on the French side. We were through in about 1 minute, and Mike was gone again before we'd even arrived, running before the oncoming night.

  • Things got even better when we arrived at the Sonestra Great Bay Resort - for most of us at least. A couple had serious problems with their rooms, but it's hard to stay cross for too long with views like these!

    Things got even better when we arrived at the Sonestra Great Bay Resort - for most of us at least. A couple had serious problems with their rooms, but it's hard to stay cross for too long with views like these!

  • The town centre was a 10 minute walk along the beach

    The town centre was a 10 minute walk along the beach

  • Great Bay 3

    Great Bay 3

  • Where I met some very interesting characters. Jack's always been a hero of mine...

    Where I met some very interesting characters. Jack's always been a hero of mine...

  • Some of us were very keen to explore the excellent shopping opportunities

    Some of us were very keen to explore the excellent shopping opportunities

  • Meanwhile, out in the bay were all manner of ships, boats and watercraft

    Meanwhile, out in the bay were all manner of ships, boats and watercraft

  • Great Bay pirate ship

    Great Bay pirate ship

  • Great Bay jetskis 2

    Great Bay jetskis 2

  • Marina

    Marina

  • Our first group dinner in a French restaurant overlooking the Caribbean sea

    Our first group dinner in a French restaurant overlooking the Caribbean sea

  • View from the restaurant beach

    View from the restaurant beach

  • En route to the conference the next morning we were very excited to spot what was immediately dubbed the iYacht

    En route to the conference the next morning we were very excited to spot what was immediately dubbed the iYacht

  • After a short delay for the Dutch royal family who were visiting (cut short when we pretended to be part of their entourage, driving along the barricaded streets, waving at the crowd - hey, it got us here on time), we arrived at the beautiful American University of the Caribbean

    After a short delay for the Dutch royal family who were visiting (cut short when we pretended to be part of their entourage, driving along the barricaded streets, waving at the crowd - hey, it got us here on time), we arrived at the beautiful American University of the Caribbean

  • It was a chance to showcase our work, and network with our medical colleagues. We took out first and second prizes for an oral and poster presentation respectively. Here Robin's poster describes our veterinary clinical skills training program.

    It was a chance to showcase our work, and network with our medical colleagues. We took out first and second prizes for an oral and poster presentation respectively. Here Robin's poster describes our veterinary clinical skills training program.

  • Belle's poster describing her development of a model for ophthalmoscopic examinations won the second prize overall :)

    Belle's poster describing her development of a model for ophthalmoscopic examinations won the second prize overall :)

  • John has a super cool calf leg prototype developed using a 3D printer, which can be used for teaching resolution of certain bovine dystocias

    John has a super cool calf leg prototype developed using a 3D printer, which can be used for teaching resolution of certain bovine dystocias

  • I also had a couple of posters

    I also had a couple of posters

  • Best of all though we got to meet Ruth the SimDonkey! She has working parts from a human patient simulator and can do all sorts of cool things, such as breathing, speaking and more. She's one of our R&D projects and has a lovely smile

    Best of all though we got to meet Ruth the SimDonkey! She has working parts from a human patient simulator and can do all sorts of cool things, such as breathing, speaking and more. She's one of our R&D projects and has a lovely smile

  • On the way back we saw more beautiful islands. I think this is Saba, clearly demonstrating the volcanic origins of the Caribbean islands.

    On the way back we saw more beautiful islands. I think this is Saba, clearly demonstrating the volcanic origins of the Caribbean islands.

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    On the way back we saw more beautiful islands. I think this is Saba, clearly demonstrating the volcanic origins of the Caribbean islands.
    In the distance is the small but spectacularly beautiful island of St Barts. I'm dying to visit! Preferably via Mike's tiny charter airplane. Although a nice yacht would do as well...