The protests on Black Friday were mostly at the Agrément roundabout. If people weren't near there then it's unlikely that the saw any protests.

We leave today.

We went to Marigot yesterday for breakfast at Croissant Royale via the causeway with no issues..and then decided to have a go at the return through Sandy Ground and again no issues. Some ugly scenes to be sure, burned out cars especially right by the bridge, and remnants over several other barricades shoved over to the side. Gendarmes very visible..and also very visible in Maho and Simpson Bay areas every night, with patrols every few minutes. Even came back by The Pub a few times. Very welcome and very reassuring versus our experiences back in April/December.

Just found out we had a 4.0 earthquake this morning while we were at breakfast at Yacht Club. Didn't feel a thing, but many are posting they felt it strongly. Was watching the lengthy boat parade..bridge was up a good 20 minutes, and man what a jam it created. We ended up walking down to Medwork to get out return home brain tickle test as traffic was stopped after breakfastand just beginning to move after we finished the covid test.

We've never seen so many super yachts in..Bezos is here, Abramovitch's Eclipse, a very peculiar shaped yacht with a big bulbous bow has been anchored off Beachside the whole 2 weeks we've been here. The airport is running out of tarmac for private jets too. Also saw that the Canadian charters are flying back in..saw Westjet and Sunwing yesterday proudly sporting their Maple Leaf.

6 boats in again on Wednesday, and a bunch yesterday. Navigating through the Sunset/Driftwood area is a challenge..just pack your patience and drive as you would near a playground..folks are on vacation and often step right in front of you. Try to avoid the area when the busses are dropping off in the morning and picking up about 3.

Cheers!

Thanks for that update. We will be back in a month, staying at the La Siesta Condos on Simpson Bay Beach. This will be our first trip back in two years. It sounds like we will have lots of yachts to check out, but the traffic in Simpson Bay Village obviously hasn't improved. We try to avoid heading out (or back) around bridge-opening times.

Both WestJet and Sunwing resumed flights to Sint Maarten in the fall, and Air Canada resumes direct flights December 18th. Just for the record, Sunwing is a charter airline. Air Canada and WestJet are our two main scheduled airlines.

thanks for the update, gomer. Enjoy the rest of your stay!

I guess you have already left for the airport, Georgia. Safe travels.

Isn't Orient Village a "gated community". This should provide some added measure of security from any ambient civil unrest.
Still hope to go down for a week in March 2022.