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Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach #149721
12/08/2017 05:32 PM
12/08/2017 05:32 PM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 352
Pittsburgh, PA
gotaluvit Offline OP
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gotaluvit  Offline OP
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Posts: 352
Pittsburgh, PA
So, many of you will think this is a repeat but it isn’t because I deleted the strangely devisive assertation that Orient is important. Several weeks later there are still very few recent, first hand accounts??? I still don’t get it....

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Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: gotaluvit] #149722
12/08/2017 05:46 PM
12/08/2017 05:46 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
There's hardly anybody there. Nothing is happening, nothing is being built. Nothing has changed in weeks although there are a few more people on the beach.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: BillandElaine] #149723
12/08/2017 06:38 PM
12/08/2017 06:38 PM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 173
Nebraska
J
joyfully Offline
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joyfully  Offline
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J
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 173
Nebraska
On the one hand, the bar and restaurant owners are waiting for clarification from the government on what will and won't be allowed in terms of beach construction; no one wants to invest in something that may be torn down after the new beach rules are handed down. On the other hand, everyone (including local government officials) knows that as we approach high season, pressure builds to have businesses open, beach chairs to rent, cold drinks to serve... and that's how they rebuild the ranks of the employed and lessen demand for government assistance. I have no idea how that tension will eventually play out, but already there are indications that the hard-edged rules proposed by Paris may be softened by the needs of expediency. It seems clear that the French side was harder-hit than the Dutch side, and also that their national government is trying to set up rules that (they hope) will minimize damage and losses when the next hurricane comes. Which i find to be a reasonable objective, although the devil is always in the details, isn't he? :-) Now that I've said this, I wonder how many posts it will take for this thread to get shut down as people inject their own political points of view onto someone else's affairs - not many, I predict.

Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: BillandElaine] #149724
12/08/2017 06:40 PM
12/08/2017 06:40 PM
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 357
SeaStar Offline
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SeaStar  Offline
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Posts: 357
Thanks for the update.
Are homes/villas/hotels being rebuilt in the village?
Any signs of rebuilding at Club O besides Perch Lite? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" />

Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: gotaluvit] #149725
12/08/2017 07:02 PM
12/08/2017 07:02 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,160
Greensboro, NC
charlieh Offline
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charlieh  Offline
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Posts: 3,160
Greensboro, NC
On our first visit there 30 years ago, I saw nothing but sand, water and trees. However, if you take a cooler and chairs, you can still enjoy the expanse of beach. That would actually be my preference.

Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: joyfully] #149726
12/08/2017 08:42 PM
12/08/2017 08:42 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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pat  Offline
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Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
I don’t know anything about hurricane safe and resistant construction and while it seems things can always be made better, there can always be - God forbid - another stronger storm, too. I’m thinking out loud but.......

There is this something to be said for the casual construction of the nothing fancy places like Rosie’s on Mullet - they don’t require huge amounts of cash outlay for concrete and such and if they get destroyed, they can be cleared away and new structures rebuilt rather quickly and at a far lesser cost. That’s not to say there shouldn’t be rules with regard to how close to the water line and to each other they could be built and certainly they should be built with basic construction safety in mind, permits required and building inspections for safety done, but they could be rebuilt relatively fast with a far lesser cash outlay. And while they wouldn’t be as fancy as the last set of construction, they could at least be quickly replaced, getting the proprietors quickly back in business.

Just another way of looking at things but something like this might be a happy compromise between the old Orient and the new and there is plenty of room across the island for the more upscale properties that were lost to Irma off the beach. Just a thought...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: pat] #149727
12/08/2017 08:57 PM
12/08/2017 08:57 PM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 173
Nebraska
J
joyfully Offline
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joyfully  Offline
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J
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 173
Nebraska
I agree Pat. Right after the hurricane i told my wife I bet the "soft" construction places (plywood and 2x4s) would be some of the first to come back. I know that one of the government objectives is to have beach buildings that are "modular" and can be packed up and moved when a storm threatens. I'm not sure that the bar owners know exactly how to build a business like that yet, though :-) Some friends are there (we won't be until Feb), and they sent some photos of Orient today. Club O "hard structures" i.e. concrete, appear to show no progress yet, although Club O themselves are the best source of info for progress there, I think.

Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: joyfully] #149728
12/08/2017 09:50 PM
12/08/2017 09:50 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
There have been some pretty nice looking beach bars that were shipping containers to begin with. All it takes is some ingenuity and a good eye. Easy to close and secure if a storm is forcast.

Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: SeaStar] #149729
12/09/2017 06:38 AM
12/09/2017 06:38 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
Yes, of course. Homes and businesses are being brought back to life. But again, like the last post, the question is about the beach. As of a few days ago, there is nothing being worked on.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: BillandElaine] #149730
12/09/2017 08:33 AM
12/09/2017 08:33 AM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 32
McLean, VA, USA
decaym Offline
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decaym  Offline
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Posts: 32
McLean, VA, USA
I wouldn't mind seeing construction moved back from the water at least a little bit. The beach gets wider and narrower over the year. During some times I've been there the water line is close enough that there is no room left before hitting structures. There also seemed to be a slow movement back that spanned years. As an example, in front of Pedro's. When I first went there in 2004 it was possible to walk past on the beach. The last few years it was necessary to go up through the parking lot to get from one side of the beach to the other.

General construction wise, I miss the old bars and shops that were between Pedro's and (I believe) Kontiki. They had character. I didn't get to see the new construction on that stretch finished but it looked rather boring. Hopefully if the soft or modular concept goes forward for rebuilding we will see some personality return to parts of the beach.

Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: decaym] #149731
12/09/2017 09:20 AM
12/09/2017 09:20 AM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 5
C
Chris33 Offline
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Chris33  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 5
I agree updates would be nice for those of us hoping to bring our $$$ to the area but I also get the time the bureaucracy brings to the process. Flood areas are distinct in how they slow construction and particularly insurance money. the. Question for the govt is do they take a chance on shoddy construction which has character and is rebuilt quickly and at minimal expense after an event or do they mandate construction methods that minimize destruction or damage but take years to build? Shoddy construction is hard to insure but puts the workforce back in operation quickly. Flood resistant construction gets caught up in permitting but is easier to insure and gives people temporary jobs. I hope, in the spirit of the Perch Lite, more of the shoddy shacks make there way back so life comes back quickly.

Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: Chris33] #149732
12/09/2017 10:01 AM
12/09/2017 10:01 AM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 232
D
DarkDiggler Offline
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DarkDiggler  Offline
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D
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 232
Would love to know how much actual beach there is by where Pedros and the Perch used to be.

Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: DarkDiggler] #149733
12/09/2017 10:34 AM
12/09/2017 10:34 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
Lots and lots.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: BillandElaine] #149734
12/09/2017 11:10 AM
12/09/2017 11:10 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Are there ANY places on Orient renting chairs, other than Club O? And Club O only on weekends?? What about the Perch? Are they also open only on weekends? If so, no way for cruise ship pax to even go to Orient and enjoy it during the week at all, with no chairs or food and drink. Maybe once the big Royal Caribbean ships are back, they will be open when the ships are in?

For people staying on island, I'm thinking Craig at Packlight must be doing a good business? Are there chairs for sale at Ace or all sold out because everyone lost theirs in the storm?

What about Mullet? Are they renting chairs during the week, or only on weekends still? Is there food at Mullet now?

Last edited by Carol_Hill; 12/09/2017 11:49 AM.
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: Carol_Hill] #149735
12/09/2017 03:38 PM
12/09/2017 03:38 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
Not that I could see looking down the beach. But since the 2 parts are now separated by a closed gate behind Kon Tiki and I don't walk so well anymore, going from one end of the beach to the other is a real PITA! There is some watersports place open doing non motorized stuff like kayaks, sail boards etc. So perhaps they are renting chairs, but it was not obvious. Perhaps next time we'll drive again down both sides.

I think I may have posted this already, but Perch Lite is now open every day and watersports guy there is renting chairs and umbrellas.

Craig (Bob) seems pretty busy. Have not looked at Ace for chairs. I can tell you what they DON'T have! LOL

Don't know about Mullet, never go there.

Chairs and food every day at Dany's on Cupecoy! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cool.gif" alt="" />

Lines at Ace, groceries, everywhere are very long with little to no parking


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: BillandElaine] #149736
12/09/2017 05:27 PM
12/09/2017 05:27 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Thanks for the on the spot reporting!


J.D.
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: BillandElaine] #149737
12/09/2017 06:26 PM
12/09/2017 06:26 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 716
People's Republic of Md
dannan Offline
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dannan  Offline
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Posts: 716
People's Republic of Md
Relatively speaking, the beach/ocean shoreline is at about the same location as it was before. On the club O side it is very wide because the hill between Pedro’s and where Perch was is gone.

Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: BillandElaine] #149738
12/09/2017 08:52 PM
12/09/2017 08:52 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Glad to know the Perch and watersports are open every day at Club O. At least cruise ship people have somewhere they can go. Why is there no parking at grocery stores? I can see why there would be trouble parking at Ace.


Carol Hill
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: Carol_Hill] #149739
12/10/2017 06:38 AM
12/10/2017 06:38 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
Your guess is as good as anybody's. No one here can figure out the traffic and congestion.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: BillandElaine] #149740
12/10/2017 11:14 AM
12/10/2017 11:14 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
ok


Carol Hill
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: Carol_Hill] #149741
12/11/2017 12:28 AM
12/11/2017 12:28 AM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 176
Nebraska
joyonthebeach Offline
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joyonthebeach  Offline
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Posts: 176
Nebraska
I saw on Facebook today that Chez Leandra's is building on Orient.


Don't Postpone JOY
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: joyonthebeach] #149742
12/11/2017 07:09 AM
12/11/2017 07:09 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Quote
joyonthebeach said:
I saw on Facebook today that Chez Leandra's is building on Orient.


And from more of the discussion, doing so without proper permits or governmental approval. It doesn't matter to me either way but if they are abruptly stopped or shut down, nobody will be happy about that either.


J.D.
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: Carol_Hill] #149743
12/11/2017 07:29 AM
12/11/2017 07:29 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
We went down the "other"end of the beach yesterday and here were no chairs other than what folks brought with them.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: BillandElaine] #149744
12/11/2017 07:52 AM
12/11/2017 07:52 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,370
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Tom Offline
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Tom  Offline
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Posts: 1,370
Hershey, Pennsylvania
I know that rebuilding takes a long time but I would think that some chairs and umbrella rentals could be a fast payback to those that rent them for a C.O. beach day.

Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: Tom] #149745
12/11/2017 09:11 AM
12/11/2017 09:11 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
If you read my post you would know that there are chair rentals at C.O. But nowhere else on the beach that we could see.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: BillandElaine] #149746
12/11/2017 10:18 AM
12/11/2017 10:18 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
I think they were talking about further down the beach also, but there needs to be at least some food and drinks available for many people to come to rent chairs. I know the Perch has some food but I can understand really why Chez Leandra is trying to do something, as compared to just sitting there doing nothing. It is an impossible situation for them.


Carol Hill
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: Carol_Hill] #149747
12/11/2017 02:38 PM
12/11/2017 02:38 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
Sorry, just that he said C.O. I have a couple pictures I took this morning to share. There is no indication Chez Leandra has started building anything yet. Tough for all of them waiting for govt to make a decision.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: BillandElaine] #149748
12/11/2017 02:58 PM
12/11/2017 02:58 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Sorry, you're right I missed that.


Carol Hill
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: BillandElaine] #149749
12/11/2017 03:59 PM
12/11/2017 03:59 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Posts: 17,476
Ohio
There are some pictures posted on facebook and the poster implied that it is Chez Leandra doing the building. Doesn't look to be anything at all fancy. Bear in mind, this may just be speculation but based on the discussion, it did sound (and look) like there was something happening.


J.D.
Re: Why so few Reports, Updates on Orient Beach [Re: BillandElaine] #149750
12/11/2017 05:19 PM
12/11/2017 05:19 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,370
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Tom Offline
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Tom  Offline
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Posts: 1,370
Hershey, Pennsylvania
sorry
misunderstood earlier post.


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