The favorite part of my trip….the people.  I loved them!  They are wonderful…fun loving, personable, eager to please and they all have a sparkle in their eye!

The general rule for these kisses is that women are expected to kiss women and men on each cheek, first one side, then the other, then back again to the first cheek, in a sort of quick pecking motion.  This is generally expected among friends and family.  Men are expected to give this greeting to women, but not with other men.  For men, a simple, firm handshake with a direct look in the eye will usually suffice.  Eye contact is fairly important for the Dutch, so even if it appears that they might be staring you down, it’s probably not intended that way.

Some Dutch people will even admit that three is perhaps a bit overkill, but as they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do…and when in the Netherlands, give three kisses.

http://blogs.transparent.com/dutch/how-to-say-hello-and-goodbye-in-dutch-plus-the-3-kisses/

I walked into Philipsburg before the first light every morning with my camera.  It was about a mile’s walk to my friend Mario who served the most wonderful cool fresh coconut juice.  Perfect!