Video #2 St. Maarten is Open

Video

Three words Hope, Faith, Love!!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for posting. Where is Part 1?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5laFhvzN4LI

http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/s...2&fpart=all

I can't help but notice the stark incongruity between this video and the information in the "Reality Check" thread. This one is sorta "Come on Down, Folks!", while the Reality Check info is very dark and ominous, basically it's really bad, and tourists have no business going.

I took the position right after the storm happened that, in the long run, the biggest threat faced by the island wasn't that too many people would want to go too soon, but the opposite. I recognized that there would be an initial period when it would be basically impossible to go as a tourist, followed by a period when it would be possible but a bad idea. I wondered how a person like me would be able to determine when that second period ended, and I assumed that this board would be of assistance in figuring that out.

I wonder if the two narratives I mentioned above will converge at some point and, of so, when? It is probably a waste of time trying to figure out a "right" or "wrong". A person's perspective makes all the difference in what they see.

I'm sure you realize that this is a just promotional video with the goal of getting you to start thinking about coming back, and not an accurate representation of the condition of the island as of this minute. My guess is that some of the "customers" in the promo are actually employees or actors. There are no tourists there now, but there are construction people, emergency relief people and an added police and military presence on the island now, so they do have some customers.
I'm a big advocate of people returning sooner rather than later because the economy needs a big boost, but even I wouldn't recommend you going for a vacation there before January, or more prudently until March or April.

Im hoping to get to our timeshare in March.....so far no word...but holding out before any plans are made.

Thanks for the link to part 1. Enjoyed them both,....just so sad what the people are having to go through and endure.

It is not going to be a quick recovery.

Wow, that guy who is the head of Sotheby's is HOT!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

The section on Porto Cupecoy includes video footage from before the hurricane. The fountain in the center of the plaza was removed more than two years ago.

Actually, that is a new fountain. It was being worked on in May 2017 while we were staying in Porto Cupecoy.

Where is the excercise gym that was shown? Is it pre Irma footage?

i thought i saw it in June.... I was questioning myself lol

I tend to agree with you. The first frame shows my building at Parc Lagon in the background, and I see no roof damage in the shot. While I've not been back yet, I know that one section of our roof is completely gone, and another is damaged. I do know that Mario's, Rendez-vous, and Ernest & Fidel's have reopened, and Altro is due to open within a few weeks, according to Charlotte - and for lunch, as well as dinner!

Macsam,
I stand corrected. I hadn't realized that a new fountain was installed.

The video has been shot about 10 days ago. You have to take it for what it is a promotion for the island which is trying to recover. By all means we are nowhere close to be the beautiful island we used to be, but at least we are making every possible effort to come back. Granted it will take time.

It's very encouraging to see businesses reopening, and to see all the evidence of hard work to improve the conditions on the island.