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A very short trip report
#160723
05/13/2018 11:10 AM
05/13/2018 11:10 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,158 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,158
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
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Because it was a very short trip.
We just got home from a week on the island, which we called our Economic Stimulus Package. Six of us went, David and myself, Todd and MJ, and Brad (Wofan) and Lora. The reason for the trip was to see our island friends and inject as much into the economy as we could reasonable do in only one week. I think we did a pretty good job.
Lots has been said about the damage to the island, but until you experience it first hand, you just have no concept. Even photos don't really show what happened there. Most of our friends who were on the island during Irma told us they thought they were going to die. Even now, strong winds bring flashbacks of the terror of those two days. Both sides are rebuilding; the Dutch side is making quicker progress than the French, but there are restaurants open on both sides. Beaches with facilities are harder to come by.
We spent beach days at Cupecoy, Mary's Boon, Karakter, El Zafiro, and Baie Rouge. We tried to go to Kokomo, but it was way too windy to stay there.
Lunches were on the beach for the most part, although we did drive over to Oyster Pond to see Carole, formerly of L'Estaminet; she's working at BZH Creperie now, and we had a delightful lunch there.
Dinners were at The Palms (three times), Lal's (twice), and Emilio's once. We were treated to an amazing meal at the home of a friend who surprised us by being on the island when she wasn't supposed to be! I'll let her decide whether to reveal her identity...she is a member here.
Without exception (well, except for the rude person at Kokomo), the islanders were happy to see us, and thanked us often for visiting.
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Re: A very short trip report
[Re: GaKaye]
#160728
05/13/2018 11:43 AM
05/13/2018 11:43 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,284 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,284
Brookfield, CT.
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Sounds like a good time was had by all and nice you aided the island economy, and obviously enjoyed being able to do so!
Curious - if you can or are willing to say - was the ‘rude person’ at Kokomo staff or patron, resident or visitor?
A friend who lives on the island actually left before placing an order because she was also mistreated by a staff member shortly after they opened and she was inclined not to return. And subsequent to hearing her experience, another resident expressed a similar situation. Because we know both of these people well, and upon hearing both of their experiences, we’ve never been inclined to go there but we were hoping things had gotten better and were Thinking about giving it a try next trip. Or perhaps not? 😊😊
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: A very short trip report
[Re: GaKaye]
#160745
05/13/2018 05:26 PM
05/13/2018 05:26 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,158 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,158
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
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Leona, we ate all of our meals out; didn't get to the Hideaway, but did have our traditional last breakfast at the yacht club. It was just as good as it always is.
Pat, the person at Kokomo was a young lady behind the bar. When we arrived, I offered a friendly, "Good morning, how are you?" And was completely ignored. I stood there waiting, and she responded, "Bonjour". I responded in my lousy French, asking how she was. She did answer then, but offered no other welcome. To be honest, the beach wasn't that great (very rocky), and the chairs and umbrellas were really tired. I've heard the food is fabulous, but it was too early for lunch when we arrived, so we decided our money was best spent elsewhere. We were made to feel very welcome at Mary's Boon and had a lovely lunch there.
Carol, we stayed at Atrium. La Vista Beach is completely open and looks like nothing happened. La Vista is making great strides, but still have a long way to come on the older buildings. Todd and MJ stayed in a cottage there.
Last edited by GaKaye; 05/13/2018 06:14 PM.
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Re: A very short trip report
[Re: GaKaye]
#160751
05/13/2018 06:41 PM
05/13/2018 06:41 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 16,987 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 16,987
Ohio
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Thanks for the report. Glad you were able to make a trip.
J.D.
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Re: A very short trip report
[Re: GaKaye]
#160752
05/13/2018 06:41 PM
05/13/2018 06:41 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 80,013 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 80,013
Central Florida!
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OK, thanks for the info. We hope to stop by LaVista when we are there.
Carol Hill
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Re: A very short trip report
[Re: GaKaye]
#160753
05/13/2018 09:34 PM
05/13/2018 09:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,059 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,059
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Thanks for the report Georgia. A week definitely passes quickly. Glad you enjoyed your visit and had no safety issues. I have had reports from friends about more crime incidents recently because of the loss of jobs and many homeless and desperate people. Such sadness on thus beautiful island!
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Re: A very short trip report
[Re: GaKaye]
#160759
05/14/2018 09:06 AM
05/14/2018 09:06 AM
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,129 St Louis, MO
SXMNorm
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,129
St Louis, MO
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Thanks for your report and economy rebuilding support.
Next SXM visit - January/February 2022
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Re: A very short trip report
[Re: GaKaye]
#160760
05/14/2018 09:07 AM
05/14/2018 09:07 AM
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,129 St Louis, MO
SXMNorm
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,129
St Louis, MO
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Thanks for your report and "economy rebuilding" efforts.
Next SXM visit - January/February 2022
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Re: A very short trip report
[Re: GaKaye]
#160774
05/14/2018 12:27 PM
05/14/2018 12:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,059 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,059
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Glad everything went well for you. There were incidents in Simpson Bay and a few other areas as well. Hope things change as these things are concerning as they involved vacationers.
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Re: A very short trip report
[Re: pat]
#160783
05/14/2018 01:56 PM
05/14/2018 01:56 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 139 Long Island, New York
CaribJoe
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 139
Long Island, New York
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Sounds like a good time was had by all and nice you aided the island economy, and obviously enjoyed being able to do so!
Curious - if you can or are willing to say - was the ‘rude person’ at Kokomo staff or patron, resident or visitor?
A friend who lives on the island actually left before placing an order because she was also mistreated by a staff member shortly after they opened and she was inclined not to return. And subsequent to hearing her experience, another resident expressed a similar situation. Because we know both of these people well, and upon hearing both of their experiences, we’ve never been inclined to go there but we were hoping things had gotten better and were Thinking about giving it a try next trip. Or perhaps not? 😊😊 It irks me when I hear that restaurants like Kokomo (and Rainbow in Grand Case) are treating some of their customers so rudely, especially when the island so desperately needs tourist spending. A pure lack of good business sense (and decency)..
Last edited by CaribJoe; 05/14/2018 02:02 PM.
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Re: A very short trip report
[Re: GaKaye]
#160784
05/14/2018 01:57 PM
05/14/2018 01:57 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,284 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,284
Brookfield, CT.
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Residents? Vacationers? Makes no difference in the end. Sadly, desperate times often afford desperate people to think they have an excuse to do really bad things. I hope the police are able to bring these incidences to a rapid and complete halt for everyone’s sake.
Edited to read: Sorry, GaKaye - I meant these comments as a generality and not directly intended for you or anyone else specifically.
Last edited by pat; 05/14/2018 01:59 PM.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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