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Just got back #149958
12/14/2017 12:24 PM
12/14/2017 12:24 PM
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 11
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storolaf Offline OP
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storolaf  Offline OP
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Well, I can give you my advice about traveling to SXM, but you probably would be better off reading. Ours was not a vacation, there to survey birds and our property damage...being said some things are open, in our gated community, we generally felt safe, the limiting step will be airplane flights and the airport cannot handle much more...but Tuesday at 2pm there were 21 people on the entire Orient Beach to give you the flavor.

Olaf
https://olafsbigyear.blogspot.com/2017/12/la-vie-pas-facile.html

SXM Sponsors
Re: Just got back [Re: storolaf] #149959
12/14/2017 01:03 PM
12/14/2017 01:03 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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pat  Offline
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Olaf,

So sorry for your losses, both tangible and emotional but thank you for your (brutally) honest portrayal of your island experience post-Irma. It is truly appreciated and has served to somewhat assure me we made the right decision in cancelling our November trip and perhaps our March trip as well.

We've loved this island for well over half our lives but I will admit, in honesty, this storm has made us realize as much as we have rued NOT making an island home part of our lives years ago, in reality it was probably the wisest of moves for us.

I hope you are able to get beyond the destruction and remember the many joys the island has afforded you over all your island years. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Last edited by pat; 12/14/2017 01:28 PM.

Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Just got back [Re: pat] #149960
12/14/2017 01:53 PM
12/14/2017 01:53 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 635
Palm Beach County
jenniboston Offline
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Palm Beach County
Thank you for sharing your experience and for the pictures! I'm glad your house up on the hill survived.

Re: Just got back [Re: pat] #149961
12/14/2017 01:55 PM
12/14/2017 01:55 PM
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 11
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storolaf Offline OP
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storolaf  Offline OP
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just stuff....it is what it is. We might see insurance money by March...too much hype, hope, denial, dreaming, and the like from too many here and elsewhere...now the West and mainland France doesn't want to hear about anything....I've traveled quite a bit to Bering Sea islands which are the opposite of touristy, and learnt to just go with the flow...if you get locked out of a building, you just have to find a couple of stray dogs to cuddle....Yea...November...no vacation then so good idea....hard to say about March, the rate limiting factor is the air travel, and if you got a place to stay...and how go with the flow you are....no one who goes should expect it to be anything like it was....night life is tree frogs and curling up behind locked shutters playing cards with a bottle of something

Re: Just got back [Re: storolaf] #149962
12/14/2017 02:54 PM
12/14/2017 02:54 PM
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 201
AUCspouse Offline
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Olaf,
Thanks for your report and photos. I just ordered your bird guide on Amazon.

Re: Just got back [Re: AUCspouse] #149963
12/14/2017 03:19 PM
12/14/2017 03:19 PM
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 11
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storolaf Offline OP
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storolaf  Offline OP
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lol....thx...the few the proud, the owners of that...spent a lot of time on it, and I think it looks good...but....timing??
first thing I did when landed in Msp in September as island being destroyed was to try to put the brakes on that project......literally went to print that morning the hurricane hit,....quite a story....oh well thx again

Re: Just got back [Re: storolaf] #149964
12/14/2017 05:14 PM
12/14/2017 05:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 572
New Jersey
JoeC047 Offline
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Olaf,
On facebook, people in SXM act like everything is normal. I do understand their only incomes are tourism, but I wouldn't want to go there now. Maybe in a few years.

Re: Just got back [Re: JoeC047] #149965
12/14/2017 05:32 PM
12/14/2017 05:32 PM
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 11
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storolaf Offline OP
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storolaf  Offline OP
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I posted this on my blog but....

...and I have respect for that...BUT...they need people there as there is NO commerce basically there now, or dang little.
the rate limiting step is going to be airlines, they cannot handle more than one big plane in at a time, no room, maybe they could get it up to two large bodies, but I hear when KLM comes in twice a week, those days are disasters. Thinking St Baths traffic will dominate the seats for a while...look at Xmas rates to island.. If you are there, it isn't that bad, they have food, wine, etc. More concentrated as stores destroyed, but no shortages. Restaurants are opening slowly BUT who is going to go there?...Some tourists need to get real..as if you are looking for a social, clubbing, debauchery laden vacation, you are in for a disappointment. I also think there is something burning beneath the social fabric of the population and I am only feeling a hint of that. The insurance caps, the government abandonment, the general inertia via Euro rules and regulations, the bad government locally for decades, the well-meaning but demeaning tourists...but at some point, the population will erupt and I do NOT want to be there then as the frustrations will boil over and the tourists will be targeted and hurt.

Re: Just got back [Re: storolaf] #149966
12/14/2017 06:04 PM
12/14/2017 06:04 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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pat  Offline
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Sad to read this last post, Olaf, but I understand and I get it. Many who have spoken about wanting to return will say in one sentence they’re prepared for the worst and expect little or nothing’s done, and often in the next sentence they want to know if their favorite boat trip, dining experience or other activity is available yet. Perhaps they’re prepared and the questions are just meant as idle curiosity, or perhaps as well wishes for their Island friends and business concerns. Or not?! So my question is often, are they really ready for the Island as it is right now?

I fully accept that it gets better every day but I remember what it was six months after Luis and personally speaking, I just couldn’t enjoy that again.

And your comments regarding the airport and high season volume has been one of my concerns since it reopened in its present state. And really, your first and last impressions are all too often the ones you never forget, so a bad experience at the airport on either end will not do the Island a lot of long-term good.

As so many others are doing, We’re supporting several charity organizations on the island as best we can, as well as the food voucher program (when it was up and running) but we still to wait until next Fall before we return and spend our tourist dollars.

I sincerely hope things work out for you and some of your losses can be recouped down the road. Good luck. <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: Just got back [Re: pat] #149967
12/14/2017 06:42 PM
12/14/2017 06:42 PM
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 11
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storolaf Offline OP
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yea, I hope it works out, too. It just is now a tourist island that is a non-tourist island right now. To be honest, I kind of liked the empty OB....saw one boat of any stripe in the bay moving all week, harkens back to the olden days....

Re: Just got back [Re: storolaf] #149968
12/14/2017 08:32 PM
12/14/2017 08:32 PM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 480
Northern California
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thesimpsons Offline
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I'm sorry for the loss of your Chalet. Although not owners, we have been staying at Club O since 1991.

My Father-in-law was a very serious birder and traveled throughout the U.S. as well as internationally on birding trips. He would often make lists of birds we'd likely see for us to use on the trips we would take.

Also just purchased a copy of your book on Amazon.

Re: Just got back [Re: storolaf] #149969
12/14/2017 08:39 PM
12/14/2017 08:39 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten Offline
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BeachKitten  Offline
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Quote
storolaf said:. I also think there is something burning beneath the social fabric of the population and I am only feeling a hint of that. The insurance caps, the government abandonment, the general inertia via Euro rules and regulations, the bad government locally for decades, the well-meaning but demeaning tourists...but at some point, the population will erupt and I do NOT want to be there then as the frustrations will boil over and the tourists will be targeted and hurt.


That is the most succinct expression of what I have been feeling.

There is (was?) a social economics professor who used to post here. He would interview SXM rappers, locals, etc. and then post regarding the very fragile thread you mention.....and that was BEFORE Irma!
I cannot imagine what is happening now. frown


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: Just got back [Re: storolaf] #149970
12/15/2017 11:42 AM
12/15/2017 11:42 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14
Central US
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beachlover48 Offline
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Central US
Olaf, so sorry for your loss, the loss sustained by our sweet friends who live there, all living things and those of us who consider St. Martin our paradise. Heartbreaking... This February would have been our 18th year in a row at Club O. While I haven't posted in years, I check this board more than daily looking for any news, hopefully good, but so far, none...Any discussion among the Club O owners or management regarding a rebuilding time line? Hoping for 2019. From your pics, look like nothing is going on at this time. Thanks again for your post!

Re: Just got back [Re: storolaf] #149971
12/15/2017 03:54 PM
12/15/2017 03:54 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 360
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rastaman Offline
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I too just returned from one month in Orient
Bay. I disagree about your comment about commerce. While there is precious little on the beach, people are reopening. To give you a few examples in our neighborhood, Cafe Plantation, Rancho Del Sol, Little Italy, Le Petite Bistro, Cote Plages, Al Dente, Villa Rouge, Level 1, etc are open. Bacchus, Gymfit, Hope Market, Samavier, Fanelite L'Express, Love shop and many many others are open for business. Grapewine will open next week. We need toruism. No, it is not the Orient of old. But it is slowly coming back, and it will be better than before.

Re: Just got back [Re: rastaman] #149972
12/15/2017 05:40 PM
12/15/2017 05:40 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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St Maarten
Totally agree Rastaman. It's coming back, if slowly. Lots of enterprising folks around. Perch Lite and Alamanda Kitchen to be added to your list


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Just got back [Re: BillandElaine] #149973
12/15/2017 07:00 PM
12/15/2017 07:00 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,056
PA
biglar Offline
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Olaf, Thank you for your candid examination of the island. We have plans to return in late April, but are very apprehensive about our plans. We have developed friendships with quite a few people on the island and they all hope we will return and help the economy. But ..... we'll see! We loved our three week stay at Elan two years ago. So glad it survived. The setting up on that hill is fantastic. Or, it used to be according to your photographs. We still have a few months to make our final decision on our return. Time will tell, I guess.

Re: Just got back [Re: BillandElaine] #149974
12/15/2017 08:13 PM
12/15/2017 08:13 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 360
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rastaman Offline
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Elaine: There are hundreds of things I omitted. Have you tried to find a parking plce at Ace Hardware? Or maybe at Grand Marche? At both places parking spaces are as scarce as hen's teeth. I waited over a month to get satellite internet. Was it because the product was scarce? No, it was because demand was so high.
Try getting a table without a reservation at Al Dente. try dropping by Papa Dan's pizza and see how long your wait is to pick up your pizza if you did not pre order.
In short, commerce is alive and kicking on the French side. Even Leandra and her son have started to rebuild. I hear Le String is bringing in a container to cook and serve from. It has only been a little over three months. How long did it take N.O. to rebuild after Katrina? We will come back much faster.

Re: Just got back [Re: storolaf] #149975
12/15/2017 09:05 PM
12/15/2017 09:05 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,461
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sxmmartini Offline
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La vie pas facile... so true! Our rebuilding materials just shipped yesterday to SXM. Should be there in a couple of weeks. Having rebuilt after Hurricane Luis in 1995 we are seasoned. It will take time but it will once again be a popular tourist destination. Stay Strong and thank you for sharing. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Re: Just got back [Re: sxmmartini] #149976
12/15/2017 10:29 PM
12/15/2017 10:29 PM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 638
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foreversxm Online content
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I have been to SXM twice since Irma and I also disagree with much of what seems to be maybe honest but also sort of a personal bitter "opinion" on how SXM is now because of a loss. I see lots of business going on many as normal, roads are crowded with traffic and their is a lot of hustle bustle all over busy with rebuilding. Simpson Bay is very busy day and night with restaurants, shop, and casino's and more opening by the day. Are you kidding???...SXM is still very much a TOURIST ISLAND! Tourist will and already are coming back with more not coming only because of the lack of hotels not the lack of desire. The flights that are coming in are mostly full full. The weather is about perfect the beaches are still incredible as always and the food and people as great as always too. Stop living and thinking of the SXM of just after the hurricane. Its alive , getting on with business and as safe as pre Irma and will stay that way and they at not roughing it. I see huge opportunity on SXM now unless you just want to look and the rubble and cry and think I remember when. Thank GOD the people of SXM have a positive outlook! IMO but go if you can find a flight or a hotel and see how much of the good things have not changed but better.

Re: Just got back [Re: foreversxm] #149977
12/15/2017 11:47 PM
12/15/2017 11:47 PM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 46
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weluvbeachncuzzi Offline
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Foreversxm, Glad to hear and hope people will go even if SXM may not be perfect yet. The great weather and beaches will help the island overcome.

Re: Just got back [Re: rastaman] #149978
12/16/2017 06:25 AM
12/16/2017 06:25 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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St Maarten
Absolutely. Shopping for anything is a nightmare. If you can find parking you will wait in long lines. We have driven by GM several times and not gone in due to no parking, after dealing with "high season" traffic to get there. As the OP posted mainly about French side, he is right that it is much quieter and slower to recover (surprisingly to me). But it's coming along. Both governments need to get their act together to move forward. You can't expect folks to wait 3 months for you to decide what the building code will be!!!!!!

I do agree however with the OP's concern about civil unrest in the future. If the governments can't get their act together and provide retraining and support for all these poor folks who are or will be idle, I shudder to think what may happen. Having been thru the days of looting, I know that will been doomsday for this island.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Just got back [Re: BillandElaine] #149979
12/16/2017 08:30 AM
12/16/2017 08:30 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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St Maarten
And to be clear, I'm not trying to belittle Olaf's experience. Just that mine is different. It surely must have been horrible for him to come back to a very different St Martin.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Just got back [Re: BillandElaine] #149980
12/16/2017 09:41 AM
12/16/2017 09:41 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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For whatever reason, the experience on the French side is very different, I think. Comparing Simpson Bay pre and post Irma, versus Orient Bay, seems to be a microcosm..


Carol Hill
Re: Just got back [Re: Carol_Hill] #149981
12/16/2017 09:50 AM
12/16/2017 09:50 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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True surely. But the area surrounding Orient is coming along. Lots of shops in Hope Estate open, ones I never even knew were there. A few restaurants too!


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Just got back [Re: BillandElaine] #149982
12/16/2017 09:53 AM
12/16/2017 09:53 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Hope Estate certainly is a booming area within St. Martin, for whatever reason. I guess to some extent, because there is parking for the businesses there?


Carol Hill
Re: Just got back [Re: Carol_Hill] #149983
12/16/2017 10:04 AM
12/16/2017 10:04 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,258
Kennys Offline
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People need to stop being so negative and paranoid of our Island. This is our home . We have no where else to go to make a living ; so please people we are not doomed to survive. We have to live . Thanks.

Re: Just got back [Re: Kennys] #149984
12/16/2017 10:07 AM
12/16/2017 10:07 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Lesley - Everyone's opinion has to be respected, but I do understand how you feel.


Carol Hill
Re: Just got back [Re: Carol_Hill] #149985
12/16/2017 11:10 AM
12/16/2017 11:10 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 389
blackmercedes Offline
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We just got back home (we have 2 feet of snow right now) after 9 days in the “new” SXM paradise. Rented from Kenny’s and stayed at el Zafiro. We were able to spend time with our several SXM friends! We enjoyed every second of our trip. Spread our tourist dollars all over the island. Never felt unsafe. I could repeat what others have stated but I guess we are easy going and we feel so incredibly fortunate to have been able to go so soon after the storm and see with our own eyes. We are planning to return in Feb. We Simply can not wait to go back!!!!

Re: Just got back [Re: storolaf] #149986
12/16/2017 11:21 AM
12/16/2017 11:21 AM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten Offline
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You mention being in a "gated community"...was the gate still being manned?

Unbelievable the sense of morally finding it OK to destroy someone else's property....taking doors, wiring, appliances, roofing. No way that should be acceptable in society.


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: Just got back [Re: Carol_Hill] #149987
12/16/2017 12:32 PM
12/16/2017 12:32 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,258
Kennys Offline
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Thanks Carol.

Re: Just got back [Re: blackmercedes] #149988
12/16/2017 12:54 PM
12/16/2017 12:54 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Hi. Would appreciate your report in a separate thread, where you ate, what you did, your travel experience, etc. Thanks!


Carol Hill
Re: Just got back [Re: Carol_Hill] #149989
12/16/2017 01:44 PM
12/16/2017 01:44 PM
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Posts: 389
blackmercedes Offline
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Ok....I will work on it. I am NOT good at writing!

Re: Just got back [Re: storolaf] #149990
12/16/2017 01:56 PM
12/16/2017 01:56 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten Offline
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Olaf...there are efforts to clean and replant the mangroves.

http://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/helping-hands/


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: Just got back [Re: blackmercedes] #149991
12/16/2017 03:56 PM
12/16/2017 03:56 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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It doesn't have to be elaborate at all, just we ate here, we enjoyed this, we didn't enjoy that, etc..


Carol Hill
Re: Just got back [Re: Carol_Hill] #149992
12/16/2017 06:24 PM
12/16/2017 06:24 PM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 363
The Villages, FL
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I have not been to SXM numerous times like many of the posters. I have been there a few times, maybe a half dozen, as cruise ship passenger. We loved the island each time we went there and we had decided to spend a week there. Unfortunately Irma hit the same week we had finally decided to spend a week to celebrate our 39th anniversary. I read this blog daily as it is my intention to go there and hopefully within the next 12 to 18 months. What I am gleaming from the posts is that if you want to go for the myriad of entertainment and eateries, then you might be disappointed but if your intention is to go to a place where you can just "veg" at the beach, enjoy some nice dinners and get back to nature then you won't be disappointed. If we hadn't already booked a trip for April to Jamaica, then I'd be open to a week of relaxation at the beach without too many people around.



[Linked Image]
Re: Just got back [Re: deputydog1157] #149993
12/16/2017 07:00 PM
12/16/2017 07:00 PM
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Posts: 5,258
Kennys Offline
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Good saying , thanks.

Re: Just got back [Re: Kennys] #151078
01/02/2018 08:21 PM
01/02/2018 08:21 PM
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New Jersey
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Olaf:
I keep looking for a response to the question about whether there is any discussion between owners or management about a rebuilding timeline, + I am intrigued that there is no mention of the 600' set-back line "requirement" on rebuilding structures. Those 2 issues would seem to be at the top of the list for Club O's future.
Beachlover48 asked about the rebuilding on 12/15, but I do not recall seeing any response. Your comments are so grounded, that I would appreciate any insight that you may want to share. I finally registered, so that I could ask these ?s Paulmoor

Re: Just got back [Re: paulmoor] #151410
01/05/2018 06:58 PM
01/05/2018 06:58 PM
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The owners of Club O were in disagreement when everything was good (pre Irma). I can only imagine the disagreements in how to proceed in the rebuilding (post Irma) are going...

Re: Just got back [Re: sxmmartini] #151412
01/05/2018 07:47 PM
01/05/2018 07:47 PM
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PelicanPirate Offline
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It would be quite interesting to know what is being deliberated. As ive mentioned before, when we inquired in the last few years on a unit, the individual owners were required to pay for insurance and did not appear to be an individual choice to do so and to decide what level to insure at.

Assuming the entity that was to handle the procurement of insurance did things well and the insurance company fulfills their side, it would seem to me a decent percentage of money should be forthcoming to rebuild structures that existed.

Obviously, the controlling deciders would have to decide what they are allowed to rebuild and if the moneies are sufficient enough to so.

Codes are neat and all especially for structural soundness and electricity.
As for Hurricanes, it would be hard to make Club O Hurricane proof and maybe prohibitively expensive. No one lost their lives at Club O and few on the island as a whole.

Hurricanes are frequent but big ones are not an annual thing, Normally. Therefore, I have no problem with Club O rebuilding exactly as was if the math works out that way and the owners/customers pay the insurance freight via room rates. Folks can always evacuate when storms come as they always have.

Having just surveyed other Caribbean CO resorts, Club O was a bargain compared to HBR, CSS, and other places, some of which want 700/night.

I think as soon as they get some rule clarifications, water/power solutions, and the insurance money, they can get that place largely rebuilt and in operation within a year.

Re: Just got back [Re: PelicanPirate] #151417
01/05/2018 09:08 PM
01/05/2018 09:08 PM
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DarkDiggler Offline
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Originally Posted by PelicanPirate


Having just surveyed other Caribbean CO resorts, Club O was a bargain compared to HBR, CSS, and other places, some of which want 700/night.




Kind of an apples and oranges comparison. The two resorts you mentioned are all inclusive with drinks and food. They have multiple beaches, restaurants, watersports, etc. included. Club O was unique in what it was and we are struggling to decide when we shall return.

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