Sand is a scarce commodity on Statia. There’s plenty at Zeelandia, but that’s where the turtles lay their eggs — so it stays there. Long ago, it was decided to import sand. Large barges arrive from places like British Guyana: the starting signal for a truck race. An endless convoy of trucks then thunders through Lower Town towards the concrete factories.

Anyone with a truck can join in. Payment is by the cubic metre, based on the official load capacity. But Statia wouldn’t be Statia if every truck wasn’t loaded with a generous “extra” on top. In every bend and over every speed bump, a free scoop of sand drops over the road.

Sometimes the whole peloton lines up neatly at the quay, ready for action. But then the boat simply sails on because the paperwork turns out to be wrong. Construction then grinds to a halt for months.

Every time a barge does make it into the harbour, it becomes a race to see who can make the most trips. The circuit runs from the harbour to the concrete factories and back, complete with flagmen, improvised signs and plenty of noise. Lower Town turns into a professional-looking race event: speed bumps are ignored, and tourists have to watch their step not to be run over.
Free entertainment, dust cloud included.