This is Part 3, the final installment of our 3-part Caribbean adventure series. In Part 1, we swam with giant sea turtles. In Part 2, we jumped out of an airplane at 10,000 feet. Today? We’re exploring a rainforest, discovering secret caves, and taking on the Flying Dutchman – the world’s steepest zipline.
What a day, what a day, what a day! And it’s like you’re all here with me – soaking in the sun on the tropical island of St. Martin.
I’ve been down in St. Martin for a couple of weeks now, and I’ve pretty much done everything you can do here. So last night I went out to a restaurant and I met a really cool waitress who told me about this rainforest with iguanas, monkeys, lizards – so today I’m headed to the rainforest called the Loterie Farm – the only private nature reserve on Saint Martin.
It looks really great – and it’s the first rainforest I’ve ever been to in my life. Pretty cool. I arrive at the Loterie Farm after being lost for a while enroute with the help of a local dude on a motorcycle who gave me an escort. Thanks buddy!
I don’t know what there is to actually do in a rainforest, but I’m going to find an adventure out of this one. It’s so lush and tropical here – beautiful, it’s unreal, so beautiful, quiet and peaceful. After a 20 minute hike I find myself right in the middle of the rainforest – it’s full of life with iguanas and monkeys calling to one another in the trees.
But it’s also a little eerie! The calm and peace is quickly subplanted by squalling and screeching all around me. I don’t know why I’m so sketched out suddenly – probably because there’s monkeys going everywhere and iguanas and lizards everywhere. And what if they attack me?! I’m not used to this. However I will soldier on, nothing to fear but fear itself, right? But I also don’t know what they eat, so I hope they don’t eat me! And I’m here just by myself filming with my own personal camera as I gave the crew some off time.
I’m right deep in here now, with all this crazy wildlife everywhere, and you know they see me – they got me spotted fast, but it takes me some scanning to find them.
I’m freaking myself out now.
Just seeing all the monkeys here – it’s amazing. Imagine if there was a family of monkeys though, and they all ganged up on me? Pretty rough terrain here now too. You can feel the temperature changing too – which is nice as a cool breeze is blowing over me.
“Whoa! I’m going to go in deeper! This is so much fun!”
And then suddenly there’s a big group of monkeys in the trees above me. They’re watching me and I’m watching them right back! Oh my God, that’s so cool, man! I’m like a kid in a candy store!”
Well, I made it through the rainforest! It was awesome. I’m really thirsty after that part terrifying, part exhilarating hike so I’m heading over to the Jungle Room restaurant here at the Loterie Farm for a refreshing drink.
So cheers everyone! Cheers to you! You have to come to the Caribbean, this beautiful island, and while you’re here check out the Loterie Farm rainforest and the beautiful drinks here at the Jungle Room.
I’m going to finish up this tasty drink and head off to the next adventure – ocean side caves.
After about an hour I arrived at the parking spot for the caves. It’s super beautiful and right on the ocean. On the way to the caves I spied an authentic local BBQ Spot called Danny’s Chicken and Rib shack. After all the rainforest hiking I’m ready for a delicious meal.
As I approach Danny himself calls out to me.
“You want to eat or drink?”
“Eat!” I answer
“I have chicken and ribs.”
“Ok Danny I’ll have chicken and ribs? Thanks”
“Sounds great! 30 minutes” The chef explained that it’s made fresh when you order.
While I waited the server told me that the caves are just a 5 minute walk down the beach. So since I had half an hour to burn I headed to the caves.
Life’s a beach around here. Tropical paradise. The warm waters, the sandy beaches – it’s going to be so hard to leave St. Martin, but my time here is coming to an end.
The walk to the caves was fast and easy. The caves are really cool. Deep and tall and looking back out at the beach and ocean. It’s a good 30 minute detour while you watch for lunch, but if you are feeling like a beachy day this would be the ideal spot. Beautiful Caribbean beach, shade in the cave if the sun gets too hot, and a delicious chicken and rib spot five minute walk away. That sounds like an awesome afternoon to me!
After 20 minutes at the caves I head back to Danny’s and arrive just as the chef is plating my chicken and ribs. And let me tell you, Danny is a wizard at whipping up tasty chicken and ribs. Danny’s is an authentic must-do restaurant experience that is worth the 20 minute drive off the beaten path.
With a full belly and some super sunny beach vibe in hand I jump back in the jeep and head to the Flying Dutchman!
The Flying Dutchman isn’t just another zipline — it’s the steepest one in the world, and it definitely lives up to the hype. This ride drops you 1,050 feet over nearly half a mile, reaching speeds of up to 56 miles per hour. You reach the launch point by taking the Sky Explorer chairlift up Sentry Hill, which on its own is worth the trip for the sweeping island views. Once you’re strapped in, there’s no easing into it — it’s fast, intense, and unforgettable. Riders need to be at least 11 years old, within the height and weight limits, and wearing closed-toe shoes, but if you check those boxes, this is pure adrenaline with a view.
The ride to the top is fabulous. I’m just here by myself, chilling on what is basically a ski chair lift ascending a tall peak and on the way up the view is really spectacular. You can see all the sandy beaches and planes taking off and landing at the airport. It’s really getting steep now, and we still have to go right up to the top.
The operator gets me hooked up, checks all the equipment, and gives me the safety briefing. This is it – the Flying Dutchman, the world’s steepest zipline. I can see the line stretching out before me, disappearing down the mountainside at what looks like an impossible angle.
And then… I’m off!
“WOOO! WOW! THIS IS AMAZING! WOOO! WOO!”
The speed is incredible. I’m flying – actually flying – down this mountain, the wind screaming past my face, the ground blurring below me. Besides skydiving this is steeper than anything I’ve ever experienced, faster than I imagined possible. The Caribbean spreads out below me in all its glory – the beaches, the ocean, the whole island laid out like a postcard.
“WOOOOO!”
This is pure adrenaline, pure joy, pure freedom.
My time has come to an end here. This is my last day, so I wanted to see the guys one last time and just thank them for everything. So, I met up with Jason, Iman, and Captain Darren one last time. These guys invited me here and went out of their way to give me an unforgettable Caribbean experience.
“I really appreciate everything and I have lots of great memories. I mean, skydiving, the dune buggy, that crazy ride, just going to all the beaches and swimming in the ocean, you know, sea turtles, going with Captain Darren on the boat… what a trip!”
“It was a pleasure having you here, buddy!”
“You guys are the Caribbean Kings. Thanks again.”
As I pack up to leave St. Martin, I can’t help but think about everything this trip has been. Two weeks on this incredible island, living in a villa with a pool and a yacht (yes I’m still calling the boat a yacht), exploring both the Dutch and French sides, meeting amazing people who welcomed me like family.
I swam with giant sea turtles in crystal-clear water. I jumped out of an airplane at 10,000 feet. I explored a rainforest filled with monkeys and iguanas. I discovered secret caves. I conquered the world’s steepest zipline. I ate the best street food I’ve ever had. I learned to keep positive energy from a beach philosopher named Dirty, I went cracked in a Wolverine dune buggy and watched planes nearly take my head off at Maho Beach.
But more than any single adventure, it’s been about the people. Captain Darren showing me Tintamare. Ivan taking me on that wild ride. Jason setting up adventure after adventure. Mark taking me jumping out of an airplane. The local guy on the bike who led me to the rainforest. The waitress who told me about it in the first place. On the road, you become fast friends. And these new friends have given me memories that will last a lifetime.
St. Martin, you’ve been incredible. The warm waters, the sandy beaches, the tropical breezes, the friendly people, the endless adventures – I’m going to miss you a lot.
But that’s the thing about Adventures Unknown – there’s always another adventure waiting somewhere. Another island to explore, another mountain to climb, another ocean to swim, another experience to have.
Until the next adventure,
Donny Love
Adventures Unknown – The best stories are the ones you live yourself.
Donny Love is the star of the Adventures Unknown Television Series, host of The Donny Love Radio Show, and a Newfoundlander who’s rarely standing still. He’s out exploring the world one adventure at a time — and writing about it honestly, so you know what’s worth doing and what’s not.
