Traveltalkonline.com Forums


SXM Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors SXM Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics38,428
Posts310,024
Members26,538
Most Online2,218
Jan 21st, 2020
Top Posters(30 Days)
RonDon 114
pat 43
jazzgal 41
Todd 40
Member Spotlight
joe9090
joe9090
new jersey
Posts: 105
Joined: August 2000
Show All Member Profiles 
Today's Birthdays
ecco, OceanDrop, vincent
Who's Online Now
25 registered members (MKGrey, Leagle49, lcote, timnboston, jenniboston, deputydog1157, Jaybird, KC2SXM, steve74, Zanshin, Tom, boucharda, Jc1925, tradewinds, Beansbbq, road3682, IWIWSE, WWII, jrw, 6 invisible), 920 guests, and 82 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Situation on French side still tense #268457
11/09/2021 09:43 AM
11/09/2021 09:43 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Link

Link #2

It looks like the Dutch side police are trying to stop the border closures and the gendarmes are doing nothing??


Carol Hill
SXM Sponsors
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268459
11/09/2021 10:13 AM
11/09/2021 10:13 AM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,461
Vermont
sxmmartini Offline
Traveler
sxmmartini  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,461
Vermont
Kudos to Cedrick... someone has to stand up for the people of SXM

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268460
11/09/2021 10:22 AM
11/09/2021 10:22 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content
Traveler
boucharda  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
Link #2 kinda says it all....."We did not see any Gendarmes"

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268464
11/09/2021 10:36 AM
11/09/2021 10:36 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 38
W
Warden Offline
Traveler
Warden  Offline
Traveler
W
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 38
We are staying in Jordon Village and on morning walk to the Beach Copecuy Dany told us road blocked again in Sandy ground.


Warden
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268467
11/09/2021 10:59 AM
11/09/2021 10:59 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
Traveler
BillandElaine  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
None of the blockages are at the border. Dutch can't do anything.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268469
11/09/2021 11:44 AM
11/09/2021 11:44 AM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 41
PA/MA
S
stjames Offline
Traveler
stjames  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 41
PA/MA
Gendarmes were stationed at the roundabouts in Marigot yesterday.

Last edited by stjames; 11/09/2021 11:49 AM.
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268472
11/09/2021 11:51 AM
11/09/2021 11:51 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
This situation does nothing but hinder tourism.

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268476
11/09/2021 12:03 PM
11/09/2021 12:03 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 291
South Carolina
D
dvesc Offline
Traveler
dvesc  Offline
Traveler
D
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 291
South Carolina
Has there been a point when all roads to the French side have been blocked at once, or is there typically some way to get across? We don't arrive for about five weeks, but I'm curious if we'll just need to get creative with our navigating, or if it's possible we won't actually be able to get to where we're staying in Orient (or back to the airport when we leave).

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268482
11/09/2021 12:10 PM
11/09/2021 12:10 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
At one time earlier in the year when a protest was taking place it was reported all routes were blocked.

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: dvesc] #268490
11/09/2021 12:34 PM
11/09/2021 12:34 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
Traveler
BillandElaine  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
In recent years, it seems a recurring theme.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268492
11/09/2021 12:38 PM
11/09/2021 12:38 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
Traveler
BillandElaine  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
Schools closed in Orleans today - they can't get to school.

http://www.lepelican-journal.com/sa...3PK72p7frfIaShSdTfqutSMyoNwujNmq440RpFmc

Last edited by BillandElaine; 11/09/2021 12:39 PM.

Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268513
11/09/2021 01:50 PM
11/09/2021 01:50 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline
Traveler
jazzgal  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
That's just going too far!


[Linked Image]
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268520
11/09/2021 02:48 PM
11/09/2021 02:48 PM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 81
Maryland
S
SXMMD Offline
Traveler
SXMMD  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 81
Maryland
We tried 3 different routes, two days in a row, to go from Dawn Beach to Orient Beach and all were blocked. One with burning tires, one with piles of debris and one partially blocked where two masked men demanded money too pass. I heard that the French police were using drones to locate the blockades where masked men were demanding money and running them off, but, leaving the roads blocked. I also heard that one of these drones was shot down.

Attached Files C38A4DAF-F8CE-4679-89C5-8921A0DFD9E6.jpegF0551D17-84A0-4C82-923B-538D5A11D7D6.jpeg
Last edited by SXMMD; 11/09/2021 03:01 PM.
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268527
11/09/2021 03:17 PM
11/09/2021 03:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 423
Denver, Colorado
mdldgl Offline
Traveler
mdldgl  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 423
Denver, Colorado
So sad. I respect the rights of the people to protest the bad conditions, I just wish they were doing it in front of government buildings. Between Zeka, Irma and Covid there has been much economic and social distress the last 6-8 years. I’m arriving Saturday for our 12th visit in the last 24 years. Bringing 3 first timers…. This is not the experience I wanted them to enjoy.

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268529
11/09/2021 03:28 PM
11/09/2021 03:28 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content
Traveler
boucharda  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
I just hope this doesn't escalate into more than extortion of tourists (and now residents)....once money for safe passage is involved the next step could be ugly. They should have addressed this on day one and dealt with it.

Last edited by boucharda; 11/09/2021 03:29 PM.
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268542
11/09/2021 05:13 PM
11/09/2021 05:13 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
Masked men demanding money, burning tires polluting the air and shooting down drones. What's with these people on our friendly island?

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: boucharda] #268569
11/09/2021 08:56 PM
11/09/2021 08:56 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
Traveler
GaKaye  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
We arrive next Thursday, and are spending two days on the French side before we check into our timeshare at La Vista Beach. I'm keeping track of the situation, and hope we can safely get to GCBC. Not sure what our alternative would be.

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: GaKaye] #268571
11/09/2021 09:26 PM
11/09/2021 09:26 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
Get a 2 day package at La Vista or one of the other timeshare resorts in that area.

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268594
11/10/2021 05:46 AM
11/10/2021 05:46 AM
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 201
AUCspouse Offline
Traveler
AUCspouse  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 201
We drove from the Dutch side to Grand Case yesterday (Tuesday), via the causeway. Situation normal -- no problems whatsoever, other than somewhat slow traffic.

Last edited by AUCspouse; 11/10/2021 06:01 AM.
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: SXMScubaman] #268598
11/10/2021 07:37 AM
11/10/2021 07:37 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content
Traveler
boucharda  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
Originally Posted by SXMScubaman
Masked men demanding money,


So they will wear masks to rob you but protest, among other things, against wearing masks

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268599
11/10/2021 07:45 AM
11/10/2021 07:45 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,106
Southport, North Carolina, US
candj Offline
Traveler
candj  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,106
Southport, North Carolina, US
In the Daily Herald 11/10/21, the Minister of Tourism is recommending that people stay on the Dutch side and not try to cross over.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/tourists-urged-to-stay-on-dutch-side


Fair winds and following seas!
SSN691-May She Ever Prowl The Seas in Defense of Human Freedom!
SSN787-Preserving Peace, Prepared for War
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268600
11/10/2021 07:50 AM
11/10/2021 07:50 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
Traveler
BillandElaine  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
Orleans has been opened by the Gendarmes this morning


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: BillandElaine] #268620
11/10/2021 10:33 AM
11/10/2021 10:33 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 423
Denver, Colorado
mdldgl Offline
Traveler
mdldgl  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 423
Denver, Colorado
Thanks Bill, do you know anyone that has driven through it from Pyster Pond to Orient?

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: mdldgl] #268621
11/10/2021 10:38 AM
11/10/2021 10:38 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
Traveler
BillandElaine  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
Seen several videos of the open road. Believe my friends in Oyster Pond made the trek today.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: BillandElaine] #268628
11/10/2021 12:38 PM
11/10/2021 12:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 423
Denver, Colorado
mdldgl Offline
Traveler
mdldgl  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 423
Denver, Colorado
👍🏻

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: BillandElaine] #268673
11/10/2021 05:03 PM
11/10/2021 05:03 PM
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 49
Knoxville, Tennessee
N
Need island time Offline
Traveler
Need island time  Offline
Traveler
N
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 49
Knoxville, Tennessee
We went thru Orleans at 12:30 today from oyster pond with open roads. No problems, everything clear.


We always need island time!
Ben & Katie
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268676
11/10/2021 05:26 PM
11/10/2021 05:26 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content
Traveler
boucharda  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
Good to here that

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: mdldgl] #268681
11/10/2021 06:05 PM
11/10/2021 06:05 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
Traveler
BillandElaine  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,560
St Maarten
Actually, they didn't go today and are so upset they will stay home until their flight. Took them 3 hours to get OB to Oyster Pond.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Need island time] #268685
11/10/2021 06:34 PM
11/10/2021 06:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 423
Denver, Colorado
mdldgl Offline
Traveler
mdldgl  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 423
Denver, Colorado
Thanks for the update. Arriving Saturday. This makes me feel much better.

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: BillandElaine] #268692
11/10/2021 07:13 PM
11/10/2021 07:13 PM
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 49
Knoxville, Tennessee
N
Need island time Offline
Traveler
Need island time  Offline
Traveler
N
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 49
Knoxville, Tennessee
After the rain stopped, we decided our days were running short! It took us about 10 minutes to drive to OB, after 1hour & 30 minutes ( leaving at 7:05 )yesterday. Took us 15 minutes to get home because we stopped at the Chinese market. So today we spent 25 minutes in the car. Yesterday we spent 4 & 1/2 hours in the car. Big difference! No we don’t want to leave but Saturday is coming fast & not everyone may know this but there is no beach in Tennessee.


We always need island time!
Ben & Katie
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268700
11/10/2021 08:25 PM
11/10/2021 08:25 PM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 168
R
RickandJulie Offline
Traveler
RickandJulie  Offline
Traveler
R
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 168
We've got a trip planned for February staying on the French side. We are bringing 2 friends with us who are first time island visitors. We (and our friends) have been following the events and getting more and more discouraged about what may be occurring during our stay. This is not the experience we wanted them to have.

I guess we are reaching the point where we have to wonder if it's even worth it anymore. We've been coming to the island since the late 90's, but it seems like nowadays every trip we plan is filled with anxiety about what will be going on this time. It's not just the protests. We've had issues with our cars being vandalized, scooters running us off the road, seaweed, a lack of progress on French side cleanup since Irma, airline cancellations, airport congestion, etc.. You really start to say: Maybe it's time to explore another Caribbean island.

Just frustrating..............................

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: RickandJulie] #268707
11/10/2021 09:25 PM
11/10/2021 09:25 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
RickandJulie--I have to say that staying on the French side seems to be really a crapshoot lately. Dutch side, not as much..


Carol Hill
Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268711
11/10/2021 09:46 PM
11/10/2021 09:46 PM
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 34
NY, New York
M
Mjc Offline
Traveler
Mjc  Offline
Traveler
M
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 34
NY, New York
We just drove through French quarters and had no issue it is open.

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Mjc] #268712
11/10/2021 10:08 PM
11/10/2021 10:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 423
Denver, Colorado
mdldgl Offline
Traveler
mdldgl  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 423
Denver, Colorado

👏👏👏

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: Carol_Hill] #268719
11/10/2021 11:09 PM
11/10/2021 11:09 PM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 163
Philly
P
PKwx Offline
Traveler
PKwx  Offline
Traveler
P
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 163
Philly
News today is different then reality. Please don’t confuse the two. The cheap shot by the St Maarten tourism office was a blatant attempt to scare people to keep money on the Dutch side using fear. How much damage did that do for both sides of the island. The people in Orleans had real concerns and they got the government’s attention. Good for them! To bad some bad actors got involved. No different then here in the USA in our protests. Wow a few days of inconvenience and we have our panties in a bunch. Back to normal and do hope their concerns are met, and they get their police station and post office too.

Re: Situation on French side still tense [Re: PKwx] #268738
11/11/2021 10:08 AM
11/11/2021 10:08 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
I do not at ALL agree with your assessment of the past few days. However, according to the story in the DH today, they are going to get their police station and post office and several other items. LINK

More information in this link. Link

Hopefully things will calm down now. Until next time.


Carol Hill

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1