The real name of this rocky island is Sint Eustatius. But everybody call it Statia. Statia lies close to St Maarten but there is no ferry, so I was forced to take 20-minutes Winair flight to get there.
We boarded nice, little twin-otter plane (I think last time I took such a plane on Solomon Islands – do you remember Stan?)
Nice views from the window, nobody tells you “to use any electronic equipment is forbidden!
Soon I saw Statia – my new island: two mountains rising from the sea with an airstrip in the saddle between them. The charming lady-immigration officer stamped my passport. So where am I? Statia and nearby Saba are the outpost of the Kingdom of Netherlands. Toogether with Bonaire they form now a group of “three municipalities” connected to the Dutch crown.
In the past they were all “Netherland Antilles”. No longer. Aruba, Curacao and Dutch Sint Maarten ale independent “states”. Should I add them to my list of the countries? What do you think?
The cheapest accommodation on Statia – “Country Inn” is just 10 minutes away from the tiny airport terminal. Turn left from the terminal, pass the fire departament and immediately turn righ to the unnamed street. Here you are! On the new island!
