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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
We drove from the Dutch side to Grand Case yesterday (Tuesday), via the causeway. Situation normal -- no problems whatsoever, other than somewhat slow traffic.
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'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.
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.
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
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