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Re: Orient pictures from iscrogr 12-1-15
[Re: plequerre]
#77012
12/02/2015 08:16 PM
12/02/2015 08:16 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,549 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Posts: 17,549
Ohio
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plequerre said: Thanks for the update. Glad to see that everything should be ready for the 2016 Regatta. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Depending on the winter construction season, that might be a reach!
J.D.
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Re: Orient pictures from iscrogr 12-1-15
[Re: lobstaroll123]
#77014
12/02/2015 08:30 PM
12/02/2015 08:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,549 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
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Posts: 17,549
Ohio
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How is this catering to the cruise people? I am willing to bet the vast majority of repeat visitors to SXM first went there on a cruise.
J.D.
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Re: Orient pictures from iscrogr 12-1-15
[Re: lobstaroll123]
#77016
12/02/2015 09:20 PM
12/02/2015 09:20 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
PelicanPirate
Traveler
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
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I'll take the middle road here. I was a cruiser first, air visitor second and multiple cruise visitor thereafter and will be back by air very soon to see first hand. And while I was not exactly impressed with the old shacks and they could each stand to be replaced, these do look better but cookie cutter and a bit like an out island make believe spot as mentioned. Maybe that impression will fade away once the tenants move in and crowds show up. I hope so. We'll see if organized cruise buses are filling the lots and eating the standard chosen meal as opposed to individuals in cabs and rentals. I love cruisers just not cruise excursions in many cases. "And now on the right you'll see what was Club Orient", please enjoy your watered rum punch and enjoy a 15 minute swim before we haul you back thru Marigot for your trinket shopping". Sorry to be cynical.
Last edited by PelicanPirate; 12/02/2015 10:42 PM.
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Re: Orient pictures from iscrogr 12-1-15
[Re: PelicanPirate]
#77017
12/02/2015 09:24 PM
12/02/2015 09:24 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,902 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 82,902
Central Florida!
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Sorry, I have to say that a large percentage of the visitors before were cruise visitors, which is not a bad thing. People say 'cruise visitors', like it's some kind of a plague..
Overall, I think the project will be an improvement for the beach. Meantime, the previous lessees of the restaurants are getting royally scr*wed, still closed as of December 2, and no end in sight...
Carol Hill
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Re: Orient pictures from iscrogr 12-1-15
[Re: MORWAVES]
#77022
12/03/2015 06:14 AM
12/03/2015 06:14 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,628 Southern Maryland suburbs of D...
Bill_S
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Posts: 2,628
Southern Maryland suburbs of D...
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Right! So the daytime highs are only in the high 80s instead of the mid 90s... And the impact on construction is...???
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
Bill
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Re: Orient pictures from iscrogr 12-1-15
[Re: MORWAVES]
#77024
12/03/2015 07:05 AM
12/03/2015 07:05 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,549 Ohio
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Traveler
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Posts: 17,549
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The comment about the winter construction season was totally in jest for anyone who could not figure that out.
For those opposed to this project and who have concerns about the prior business owners....how many of you, IF ANY, have done anything more than voice a concern and opinion on TTOL? Any contact with the French government of the island? We all have the right and option to voice an opinion but unless you go to the source of the decision making process you will have little if any impact.
J.D.
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Re: Orient pictures from iscrogr 12-1-15
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#77025
12/03/2015 07:09 AM
12/03/2015 07:09 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 870 Boston, MA
iscrogr
Traveler
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Traveler
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Posts: 870
Boston, MA
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I have meet some great folks from cruises, so have nothing against a "cruiser" per say, it's just the large, and ever increasing number of cruise ships that now stop here. In other words, it's the volume, not the person. In regards to the shops, I too long for the old days, yet change will happen. I would not discriminate against a place of business, just because they are in one of the "new" shops. Not their fault, probably not their desire either. In a few years, these shops will become a little weathered, and start to fit right in, and some future generation will bemoan some other spoiling of the island.
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Re: Orient pictures from iscrogr 12-1-15
[Re: iscrogr]
#77026
12/03/2015 07:27 AM
12/03/2015 07:27 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,549 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
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Posts: 17,549
Ohio
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With regards to cruise ships, the island built a new pier and the island WANTS cruise ships to come, it is $$$$!!! The number can be overwhelming, just like with the mess they create around Sunset and Maho Beach. We as tourists, visitors, timeshare owners, etc. can really do nothing about it. Perhaps a letter or email to government officials MIGHT get some attention but I seriously doubt it. About the only voice we have is through our choice to either continue to visit the island and spend $$$ there or not to do so.
J.D.
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Re: Orient pictures from iscrogr 12-1-15
[Re: MORWAVES]
#77030
12/03/2015 11:13 AM
12/03/2015 11:13 AM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,957 New Brunswick & Quebec, Canada
MarcG
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Traveler
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,957
New Brunswick & Quebec, Canada
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MORWAVES said: Why would someone go to a place they have never been to before and stay for a week or more when they can go on a cruise to check the place out first? And Rural when is the winter construction period in a place like St. Martin? LOL Just wondering. We have made 15+ visites to SXM, and never went there on a cruise before deciding to visit for weekly visits....and I'm sure we are not the only ones
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Re: Orient pictures from iscrogr 12-1-15
[Re: mlachance]
#77034
12/03/2015 01:01 PM
12/03/2015 01:01 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,902 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Ok, that is somewhat cheating, as those pictures are immediately post Gonzalo and the restaurants all did a major cleanup before they were forced to close in June. But even before Gonzalo, most were not very attractive to me.
Carol Hill
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Re: Orient pictures from iscrogr 12-1-15
[Re: lizzied2003]
#77039
12/03/2015 08:49 PM
12/03/2015 08:49 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,549 Ohio
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Traveler
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Posts: 17,549
Ohio
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The pictures of the destruction are NOT from today.
J.D.
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Re: Orient pictures from iscrogr 12-1-15
[Re: Rbailey]
#77041
12/03/2015 10:09 PM
12/03/2015 10:09 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
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Rbailey said:What usually happens to any little-known location with special qualities is that a few people who are especially attracted to its features talk about it, more people are attracted, entrepreneurs set up to take advantage of the opportunity to provide services, still more people hear about it and want to experience what it offers, but maybe with a bit more convenience and services, and eventually its reputation for being special brings in so many people that the qualities that made it special in the first place no longer exist. It may still be an attractive location, but for quite different reasons than those that made it special in the first place. That’s pretty much what happened to Orient and to a large degree to the island in general. My opinion – Orient was still special in 1989 but the “end” was in sight Perhaps one of the very best analogies I've seen so far. I'm sure the people who knew Orient in the sixties thought Pedro and Club O brought ruin to their favorite spot in the 70s just as we felt that same ruin in the 80's and as so many have since then. It is what it is, folks, and those who come down the road will probably love it just as we did 'back in the day' as we scratch our heads and ask WHY?!
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Orient pictures from iscrogr 12-1-15
[Re: MORWAVES]
#77042
12/03/2015 11:55 PM
12/03/2015 11:55 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 508 BF, New Mexico
dave
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Posts: 508
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I have chosen to never travel on a floating petri dish. Went to SXM the first time in 1989, having never been there before, or anywhere south of the Bahamas. Good decision, and I've been several other places I've never been to before on a cruise as well. Life is an adventure.
[b][color:"green"]dave[/color]
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Re: Orient pictures from iscrogr 12-1-15
[Re: dave]
#77043
12/04/2015 12:05 AM
12/04/2015 12:05 AM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 46 Raleigh, NC
RaleighToSXM
Traveler
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Raleigh, NC
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dave said: I have chosen to never travel on a floating petri dish... Not to spoil your fun, but an airplane is no less of a petri dish. But with only 200 people on board, if 10% (2 people) get a cold or other bug passed to them, no one ever hears about it. But let 10% of a cruise ship get sick (200 to 500 people) and it makes all of the news sources. It's all about numbers.
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Re: Orient pictures from iscrogr 12-1-15
[Re: DrDoug]
#77045
12/04/2015 10:26 AM
12/04/2015 10:26 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 993 Pittsburgh PA
plequerre
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 993
Pittsburgh PA
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DrDoug said: Yes, that is Himels and he has a sub name as well, Bethel. He apparently spent his time playing his piano there as Luis had his visit in 1995. Amazing. Years ago I stopped in for a cold beer in the afternoon, and his helper was sound asleep and I couldn't wake him. So, I took the beers and told my wife that I'd go back later and pay. So, 2 days later I stopped in and Himel was there and I explained what happened. He reached into the cooler and said did you get Heineken, I said yes. He then handed 2 to me and said enjoy. He wouldn't take any money and said I was an honest man and should be rewarded. Needless to say, I stop in every year now. Great story, thanks for sharing. I like Heineken too. What time in the afternoon is the helper sleeping you said? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
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