Traveltalkonline.com Forums


SXM Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors SXM Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics38,432
Posts310,093
Members26,538
Most Online2,218
Jan 21st, 2020
Top Posters(30 Days)
RonDon 115
pat 42
jazzgal 40
Todd 40
Member Spotlight
RickinAtlanta
RickinAtlanta
Woodstock, GA
Posts: 3,609
Joined: February 2002
Show All Member Profiles 
Today's Birthdays
ecco, OceanDrop, vincent
Who's Online Now
40 registered members (eightzerobits, jazzgal, BHK, bailau, JohnandBev, blooming, jenniboston, Tonythepilot, CaribbeanCanadians, mark37, nevar37, Halcyon, SXMScubaman, steve74, TRIM, tradewinds, sugarae, eilandmens, Kiles41, Travel Talker, Cap’n Rog, sxm2001, JandIrene, ChiTownHarry, jrw, RickinAtlanta, 14 invisible), 991 guests, and 61 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
Protests blocking routes to the French side #71954
10/22/2015 10:36 AM
10/22/2015 10:36 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!


Carol Hill
SXM Sponsors
Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: Carol_Hill] #71955
10/22/2015 11:25 AM
10/22/2015 11:25 AM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
fabila Offline
Traveler
fabila  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
There is a lot of chatter about this on another site from people who live on the island and the latest update is that negotiations are not going well so they expect it to continue to be blocked. I should say into the evening.

Last edited by fabila; 10/22/2015 01:07 PM.
Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: Carol_Hill] #71956
10/22/2015 11:28 AM
10/22/2015 11:28 AM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,625
United States of America
bdeeley Offline
Traveler
bdeeley  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,625
United States of America
Fine by me, I am more than happy to spend my visit on the Dutch side.

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: Carol_Hill] #71957
10/22/2015 11:29 AM
10/22/2015 11:29 AM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Online content
Traveler
jazzgal  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
I must have missed what the PLU is / is planning to do??


[Linked Image]
Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: Carol_Hill] #71958
10/22/2015 12:02 PM
10/22/2015 12:02 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,241
North NJ, 1720 miles from Para...
Kathleen Offline
Traveler
Kathleen  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,241
North NJ, 1720 miles from Para...
What is the PLU and why are residents upset?


That's why I wander and follow La Vie Dansante, that's all I want, La Vie Dansante (JB)
Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: Kathleen] #71959
10/22/2015 12:19 PM
10/22/2015 12:19 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
I don't really understand it, but I guess it's like zoning laws. But there is also some component of people who have owned land for generations now have to pay the government for it. Found this in the Daily Herald


Carol Hill
Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: Carol_Hill] #71960
10/22/2015 01:07 PM
10/22/2015 01:07 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,241
North NJ, 1720 miles from Para...
Kathleen Offline
Traveler
Kathleen  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,241
North NJ, 1720 miles from Para...
OK, what I got from this is that residents are protesting 2 main items:
An increase in population density in Grand Case & Marigot due to the building height restrictions being relaxed (now buildings cannot be higher than 3 floors).

Zoning changes that would make certain areas (the Lowlands?) as agricultural zones.


Does anyone else have any input?


That's why I wander and follow La Vie Dansante, that's all I want, La Vie Dansante (JB)
Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: jazzgal] #71961
10/22/2015 01:10 PM
10/22/2015 01:10 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
Quote
jazzgal said:
I must have missed what the PLU is / is planning to do??


PLU is the Plan Local Urbanize. It deals with rezoning areas as urban.

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: Carol_Hill] #71962
10/22/2015 01:16 PM
10/22/2015 01:16 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
From the updates on that story, with the four cruise ships in port today, there may be some cruise ship passengers who miss their ship!!


Carol Hill
Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: SXMScubaman] #71963
10/22/2015 01:16 PM
10/22/2015 01:16 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,160
Greensboro, NC
charlieh Offline
Traveler
charlieh  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,160
Greensboro, NC
Quote
SXMScubaman said:
Quote
jazzgal said:
I must have missed what the PLU is / is planning to do??


PLU is the Plan Local Urbanize. It deals with rezoning areas as urban.


I'll have to agree with the protesters. However, it's about impossible to fight "big money" interests.

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: Carol_Hill] #71964
10/22/2015 01:26 PM
10/22/2015 01:26 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
Quote
Carol_Hill said:
From the updates on that story, with the four cruise ships in port today, there may be some cruise ship passengers who miss their ship!!

Can you imagine all those tour buses trying to make u turns when they reach the road block. Hope they knew about this before heading out. Going to be a quiet day at Orient Beach and other french side beaches. Bet SSBB and Mullet are packed with all these displaced cruisers.
Lots of chairs and umbrellas set up in Great Bay today.

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: SXMScubaman] #71965
10/22/2015 02:01 PM
10/22/2015 02:01 PM
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,155
Cobourg Ontario Canada
J
jeepers Offline
Traveler
jeepers  Offline
Traveler
J
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,155
Cobourg Ontario Canada
Is the road blocked from Philipsburg to Orient Beach for the cruisers?

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: jeepers] #71966
10/22/2015 02:07 PM
10/22/2015 02:07 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
This was in the article from above:
"visitors to the island might suffer because they will be blocked in on the French side and miss their cruise ships, however, she said that at this particular moment they will leave the Oyster Pond border open in order for taxi drivers to take the tourists they have with them back to the French side. Carty did not say how long they will leave the French Quarter border open but she made clear that the issue affecting St. Martin people is on the front burner and unless the elected officials decide to stop the PLU and go back to the drawing board they will not stop the protest action and the blocking of all entrances to leading to the French side of the island."

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: SXMScubaman] #71967
10/22/2015 02:24 PM
10/22/2015 02:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,631
Oyster Pond St. Martin
S
soualigacapt Offline
Traveler
soualigacapt  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,631
Oyster Pond St. Martin
The only roads blocked are the 3 main roads into Marigot. The road from Philipsburg to Orient Bay and Grand Case are open.

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: soualigacapt] #71968
10/22/2015 02:30 PM
10/22/2015 02:30 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Bob--Those roads were re-opened then, or the story was wrong, they were never closed?


Carol Hill
Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: Carol_Hill] #71969
10/22/2015 03:03 PM
10/22/2015 03:03 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,752
St. Maarten
Barbara Offline
Traveler
Barbara  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,752
St. Maarten
the latest word I heard on Facebook is that
grand case airport, french quarter, oyster pond are blocked. They are asking all taxi drivers, tour bus operators to move through the oyster pond border and take all visitors they have with them back to the dutch side as the protest action and road blocks are now spreading out. the only exit and entrance that will remain open is oyster pond

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: Barbara] #71970
10/22/2015 03:14 PM
10/22/2015 03:14 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
One of the ships was supposed to leave at 3, according to the port schedule, and is still there, so I guess the ships may be late leaving today..

edit... One ship is leaving now. I can't imagine that there are a lot of people stuck somewhere, if that ship is leaving..

Last edited by Carol_Hill; 10/22/2015 03:40 PM.

Carol Hill
Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: Carol_Hill] #71971
10/22/2015 03:20 PM
10/22/2015 03:20 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,752
St. Maarten
Barbara Offline
Traveler
Barbara  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,752
St. Maarten
Ursula from I Love My Island Dog lives n French Quarter..she just posted on FB that french Quarter is blocked..no access to oyster Pond any more

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: Barbara] #71972
10/22/2015 03:37 PM
10/22/2015 03:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
fabila Offline
Traveler
fabila  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
Posted an hour ago that Grand Case blocked now too, French Quarter to come by woman Barbara mentions.

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: fabila] #71973
10/22/2015 03:50 PM
10/22/2015 03:50 PM
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
O
outofthebox Offline
Traveler
outofthebox  Offline
Traveler
O
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
If anyone hears of a way to get to the French side or if protests are listed will you please post? We arrived today and are waiting on the Dutch side to be able to drive to orient beach! Thanks!

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: soualigacapt] #71974
10/22/2015 03:50 PM
10/22/2015 03:50 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 879
Great PacNW
ChunkyDunkin Offline
Traveler
ChunkyDunkin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 879
Great PacNW
souali....we just came back from Orient. beach boys were running down the beach advising folks to head out asap. We are staying in Oyster Pond. Took route back to Orlenas and there was a white van blocking the road right at the intersection for turning onto the coastal route. Must just have been put in place around 2:30 as there were not many cars backed up. I've used detours there in past so knew where to duck into to bypass and pick up the coastal road close to the canal bridge.
However, the road was blocked for sure. For how long, don't know as we boogied right out of there.
Myslef, I suspect the timing was designed to catch as many cruiser busses in the gridlock and force ships to either sail without them or stay in port.

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: ChunkyDunkin] #71975
10/22/2015 03:54 PM
10/22/2015 03:54 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 879
Great PacNW
ChunkyDunkin Offline
Traveler
ChunkyDunkin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 879
Great PacNW
Talked to our unit manager who lives just down the row from us. He is a resident and knows the roads. Was in Grand Case, cannot get to Oyster Pond.

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: ChunkyDunkin] #71976
10/22/2015 03:55 PM
10/22/2015 03:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,631
Oyster Pond St. Martin
S
soualigacapt Offline
Traveler
soualigacapt  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,631
Oyster Pond St. Martin
Glad you got through. I'm not going anywhere from my house in Oyster Pond.

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: outofthebox] #71977
10/22/2015 04:03 PM
10/22/2015 04:03 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,752
St. Maarten
Barbara Offline
Traveler
Barbara  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,752
St. Maarten
Quote
outofthebox said:
If anyone hears of a way to get to the French side or if protests are listed will you please post? We arrived today and are waiting on the Dutch side to be able to drive to orient beach! Thanks!


from all reports, this is going to last quite awhile

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: soualigacapt] #71978
10/22/2015 04:06 PM
10/22/2015 04:06 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Offline
Traveler
RonDon  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
I have always thought the French side more visually pleasing because of the lack of high-rises and "clutter". It looks like the country side of France.

I realize the island depends on tourism but at what cost? For those who remember how Simpson Bay & Maho looked in the 70's I ask is it better now that it looks like another Las Vegas?

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: outofthebox] #71979
10/22/2015 04:07 PM
10/22/2015 04:07 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Wow, outofthebox, that is tough. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> What an arrival day!!!!


Carol Hill
Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: Carol_Hill] #71980
10/22/2015 04:24 PM
10/22/2015 04:24 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,294
J
january Offline
Traveler
january  Offline
Traveler
J
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,294
I was wondering why the beach covered by the Perch camera was empty.

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: january] #71981
10/22/2015 04:36 PM
10/22/2015 04:36 PM
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,155
Cobourg Ontario Canada
J
jeepers Offline
Traveler
jeepers  Offline
Traveler
J
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,155
Cobourg Ontario Canada
As well as the cruisers I just thought about all the planes bringing people who are staying somewhere on the island. WestJet would have just landed at 4 p.m. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" />

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: jeepers] #71982
10/22/2015 04:37 PM
10/22/2015 04:37 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
One person who came in today has already posted on this thread. I feel so sorry for them!


Carol Hill
Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: Carol_Hill] #71983
10/22/2015 04:38 PM
10/22/2015 04:38 PM
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,155
Cobourg Ontario Canada
J
jeepers Offline
Traveler
jeepers  Offline
Traveler
J
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,155
Cobourg Ontario Canada
Me too!!

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: jeepers] #71984
10/22/2015 05:01 PM
10/22/2015 05:01 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
Quote
jeepers said:
As well as the cruisers I just thought about all the planes bringing people who are staying somewhere on the island. WestJet would have just landed at 4 p.m. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" />

Not to mention the people that are leaving to come home and need to catch their flight.

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: SXMScubaman] #71985
10/22/2015 05:04 PM
10/22/2015 05:04 PM
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
O
outofthebox Offline
Traveler
outofthebox  Offline
Traveler
O
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
This is our 12th trip to Orient Beach...makes us realize we have taken access to paradise for granted! We are at Sunset Beach Bar waiting....has anyone heard anything?

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: outofthebox] #71986
10/22/2015 05:18 PM
10/22/2015 05:18 PM
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 331
Detroit Area
Mantas Offline
Traveler
Mantas  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 331
Detroit Area
Great time to run a water taxi.

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: Mantas] #71987
10/22/2015 05:30 PM
10/22/2015 05:30 PM
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
O
outofthebox Offline
Traveler
outofthebox  Offline
Traveler
O
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
Sounds like a great idea! Where can we pick one up? Oyster Pond?

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: outofthebox] #71988
10/22/2015 05:44 PM
10/22/2015 05:44 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
Great venture for soualigacapt to get going.

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: SXMScubaman] #71989
10/22/2015 05:45 PM
10/22/2015 05:45 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,752
St. Maarten
Barbara Offline
Traveler
Barbara  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,752
St. Maarten
roads still blocked ..negotiations taking place

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: SXMScubaman] #71990
10/22/2015 05:47 PM
10/22/2015 05:47 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 789
Toronto Canada
moxie Offline
Traveler
moxie  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 789
Toronto Canada
I don't understand why the Gendarmes aren't arresting these people and moving them on-they must be breaking some laws. It may have been OK in the middle of the day but when tourists start missing ships or planes and locals can't get home to their children etc-this is nuts.

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: moxie] #71991
10/22/2015 05:54 PM
10/22/2015 05:54 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,568
Auburn, WA
It just shows how determined they are for their cause. Bigger the pressure the better and quicker the negotiation results.

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: moxie] #71992
10/22/2015 06:03 PM
10/22/2015 06:03 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,752
St. Maarten
Barbara Offline
Traveler
Barbara  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,752
St. Maarten
Quote
moxie said:
I don't understand why the Gendarmes aren't arresting these people and moving them on-they must be breaking some laws. It may have been OK in the middle of the day but when tourists start missing ships or planes and locals can't get home to their children etc-this is nuts.

this is not against the law. nor is it nuts. It's unfortunate..but it is very typical in France for people to take to the streets to stand up for their rights.

Re: Protests blocking routes to the French side [Re: SXMScubaman] #71993
10/22/2015 06:05 PM
10/22/2015 06:05 PM
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,155
Cobourg Ontario Canada
J
jeepers Offline
Traveler
jeepers  Offline
Traveler
J
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,155
Cobourg Ontario Canada
I'm wondering what happens at airport with the number of planes that are coming in to leave & pick up people. If planes are waiting for their passengers where will they all fit? Will some land elsewhere & wait for room?
Everyone's nightmare there today. Grand case never did get international designation for their airport I dont think. Too bad, some of jets could land there. Bad situation that's for sure.

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1