Forums39
Topics38,797
Posts314,022
Members26,586
|
Most Online2,218 Jan 21st, 2020
|
|
|
Re: Realistic time frame to return
[Re: whitesands]
#142632
09/12/2017 08:33 PM
09/12/2017 08:33 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 42 N42.8 W78.8
sxmParrotfish
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 42
N42.8 W78.8
|
The past several years I have been visiting SXM in May and November. I haven't rescheduled November yet, but am fully expecting that I will have to. None of us know at this point when SXM will be ready for visitors again. I am currently planning that the next time I go, it will be primarily with the purpose of helping the cleanup / rebuild in some way. It's just too early to contact anyone on the island about doing so at this time. I know that I cannot abandon the island that I love, and therefore will return as soon as possible.
Formerly " Parrotfish" approx join date .. sometime in 2001 SXM lover since 1999...
|
|
|
Re: Realistic time frame to return
[Re: foreversxm]
#142635
09/12/2017 10:19 PM
09/12/2017 10:19 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 42 N42.8 W78.8
sxmParrotfish
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 42
N42.8 W78.8
|
The topic said realistic, and in response to forevers post I don't believe the 2017 season is realistic at all . If the airport was functioning in 60 days that would be good progress. While it appears rebuild plans are in place, the governments primary focus on both sides is ( as it should be) aid to its citizens. Infrastructure must be repaired and rebuilt, and this will take time. Returning to the island as a visitor in 2017 just isn't going to be reality.
Formerly " Parrotfish" approx join date .. sometime in 2001 SXM lover since 1999...
|
|
|
Re: Realistic time frame to return
[Re: Ted_n_Jan]
#142640
09/12/2017 11:30 PM
09/12/2017 11:30 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 402
DavidinChelseaMA
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 402
|
|
|
|
Re: Realistic time frame to return
[Re: whitesands]
#142641
09/12/2017 11:41 PM
09/12/2017 11:41 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,530 Vermont
sxmmartini
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,530
Vermont
|
whitesands said: My heart aches for our paradise. When are you planning on returning to the island, Either as and owner or not, 3 months? 6 months? 1 year? or more? I understand they are dependent on our tourism income, but when , realistically, will the be ready. March 2018 <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
Re: Realistic time frame to return
[Re: PelicanPirate]
#142644
09/13/2017 08:24 AM
09/13/2017 08:24 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,567 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,567
Ohio
|
I hate to say it, but I also see alot of the current crop of american/french residents and business entrepreneurs taking the insurance check and moving back to Small town USA or France and putting SXM paradise behind them. Im sure they will visit, just wont own or work on island. You are assuming they had insurance. Trust me, not everyone has insurance. Why do you think some individuals/businesses are starting their own GoFundMe requests?
J.D.
|
|
|
Re: Realistic time frame to return
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#142646
09/13/2017 08:51 AM
09/13/2017 08:51 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
PelicanPirate
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
|
quite the opposite, i guess i assumed any french/american/dutch transplant bright enough to buy a condo/home or run a business dwelling would have some insurance......and even they would be having second thoughts of continuing behind demolition or immediate sale after repair
Those french/american/dutch without insurance....thats tough luck and i cant imagine them doing thta twice
That said, many have insurance and will toil to rebuild paradise and hope that anothenrcat 5 doesnt happen again for another 22 years........ <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
Ill add, the timeshare folks might be looking at big assessments i would guess.......not sure how that works..........i can see alot of people fleeing that market
Others will replace them over time. Owners, entrepreneurs, and timeshare owners........too pretty a place not to like it........ <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
As for gofundme requests, thats a personal call,but not sure id pump,money into an undefined request fromsomeone imdont know.
Cash has a strange effect on people ans thats why accountants usually like the two person rule to ensure thentheft has an accomplice.
Last edited by PelicanPirate; 09/13/2017 08:55 AM.
|
|
|
Re: Realistic time frame to return
[Re: sxmmartini]
#142649
09/13/2017 09:04 AM
09/13/2017 09:04 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
PelicanPirate
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
|
|
|
|
Re: Realistic time frame to return
[Re: sxmmartini]
#142650
09/13/2017 09:04 AM
09/13/2017 09:04 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,567 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,567
Ohio
|
Self-insured (and depositing the $$) is one thing. Not having insurance, starting your own GoFundMe account due to you choosing NOT to buy insurance on your business and asking others to finance you is another.
J.D.
|
|
|
Re: Realistic time frame to return
[Re: PelicanPirate]
#142651
09/13/2017 09:20 AM
09/13/2017 09:20 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 518 Eastern Caribbean
Ritchard
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 518
Eastern Caribbean
|
We're scheduled for mid feb, and I vacillate between believing it's possible to have lodgings and believing it's impossible. I also vacillate between wishing to go and spend my tourist dollars, and not wanting to be either in the way, or be utterly disheartened by the still-evident disaster.
A more noble version of me says go and help in any way you can. I have booked travel for me, my wife, and my two strapping sons. Surely we could all be of use?
_______________________
Working hard to be the best yacht bum I can be.
|
|
|
Re: Realistic time frame to return
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#142652
09/13/2017 09:22 AM
09/13/2017 09:22 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 249 Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
jaxon60
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 249
Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
|
On the French side, there is the Natural Disaster Insurance. According to an article on St Martin's Week FB page, it does cover wind/storm damage for territories like St Martin.
According to that article it should take 2 to 3 months to pay out.
|
|
|
Re: Realistic time frame to return
[Re: EdB]
#142657
09/13/2017 12:17 PM
09/13/2017 12:17 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,655 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,655
Brookfield, CT.
|
Likewise, Ed. I hope as the time draws nearer we may hear good news, but in absolute honesty, I am not terribly optimistic. The pictures we're seeing of the entire island are heart-breaking, for sure.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Realistic time frame to return
[Re: EdB]
#142658
09/13/2017 12:19 PM
09/13/2017 12:19 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 185
VitaMan
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 185
|
I don't think that's necessarily so unrealistic. I'm sure the gov'ts on the island want to salvage as much of the High Season as possible, so they'll be working on debris removal, general clean-up, and infrastructure around the clock. Also, well-funded property owners of hotels, resorts, condo developments, villas, and some restaurants and other shops will get moving quickly as well. The idea is to get people back working as quickly as possible. Sure, there will still be plenty of visual evidence of the remnants of the hurricane on display for all to see, but at least the island will be open for business. I can see tourist traffic starting to trickle back in March or April. Once the tourists start to return, then smaller businesses will also start to re-open.
|
|
|
Re: Realistic time frame to return
[Re: tonydead]
#142661
09/13/2017 01:03 PM
09/13/2017 01:03 PM
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 552 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
KGB
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 552
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
|
We were booked for the end of March 2018 but I emailed to cancel - haven't heard back yet from the property owner... Here are my 2 cents: I don't think the island gonna be ready for the winter 2017-2018 ceason. First of all, the majority of the supplies to the island including all the building materials are coming from Florida, and Florida right now needs them all to rebuild, so as Huston... Second, the rebuilding will take lots of manpower to do it all at once kinda thing... I don't think that the island has enough human resources and qualified workers for that. And the last and probably the most important thing to me is safety. I'm afraid that coming too early will put you in danger of been targeted by criminals. They may declare an "open ceason" on tourists just because we represent such an easy target. Those are just my thought - you don't have to agree with me.
"Often Wrong, Never in Doubt"
|
|
|
Re: Realistic time frame to return
[Re: KGB]
#142662
09/13/2017 01:52 PM
09/13/2017 01:52 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 518 Eastern Caribbean
Ritchard
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 518
Eastern Caribbean
|
I am not worried about personal safety should we be able to go in Feb. I would think that if the governments wish to push for getting the tourist traffic returning this upcoming high season, they'll have extra security personnel in place to make sure there are no safety issues popping up to damage the reputation of the place.
_______________________
Working hard to be the best yacht bum I can be.
|
|
|
Re: Realistic time frame to return
[Re: KGB]
#142663
09/13/2017 02:46 PM
09/13/2017 02:46 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,562 Long Island, NY
RICKnGRACE_LI_NY
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,562
Long Island, NY
|
KGB said: We were booked for the end of March 2018 but I emailed to cancel - haven't heard back yet from the property owner... Here are my 2 cents: I don't think the island gonna be ready for the winter 2017-2018 ceason. First of all, the majority of the supplies to the island including all the building materials are coming from Florida, and Florida right now needs them all to rebuild, so as Huston... Second, the rebuilding will take lots of manpower to do it all at once kinda thing... I don't think that the island has enough human resources and qualified workers for that. And the last and probably the most important thing to me is safety. I'm afraid that coming too early will put you in danger of been targeted by criminals. They may declare an "open ceason" on tourists just because we represent such an easy target. Those are just my thought - you don't have to agree with me. To your second point I agree. And we can't forget that that many other Islands, Barbuda, St Bart's, Anguilla, and the BVIs and the USVIs are going to need manpower also. I fear a slow rebuild. To your third point I am afraid that the amount of lawlessness may be prolonged by the slow rebuild. I may be wrong and some please feel free to correct me, but I do not recall similar stories after Luis. If the rebuild is slow and the tourism rebound is slow, I am fearful the the "looters" may prey upon the early returners. To be honest there has not been a lot of "policeing" by either side of late.
Rick and Grace
|
|
|
Re: Realistic time frame to return
[Re: kccouple]
#142666
09/13/2017 07:02 PM
09/13/2017 07:02 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 178 New Hampshire
Hdrdr911
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 178
New Hampshire
|
It will depend completely on the French and Dutch governments and thier commitment to the citizens of the island. Infrastructure is critical and must be the first priority of the restoration. Macrons unrealistic move away from tourism will be an impediment to reconstruction.
If the phone doesn't ring .... it's me
|
|
|
|