We are on island and were Impacted by the civil disobedience that occurred yesterday. Spent a beautiful day on Orient Beach and then about 2:30 then beach boys started alerting the people on the beach that if we needed to get to the Dutch side we should leave before the borders were completely closed. We packed up and started off. We had been tipped off that the route thru Oyster Pond might still be open so we went that way. 3 cars had left at the same time and we all ended up turning around and heading back to Orient. One of the couples did hook up with a local that thought he knew a way around the blockage but no luck. So we spent another 1 1/2 on the nearly empty beach. Took off again at 5pm and eventually ended up at in Orleans parked on the road right up front where we could see the barricade with the radio tuned to a station discussing the situation.

Locals passing by were friendly and helpful. We had our kindle, phones and beer so we were in good shape. we feel safe and were willing to wait it out. Just before the blockade was lifted someone did light a trash container on fire and that was the only disturbing thing that happened. However, the gendarmes were there and turned the dumpster over - unfortunately no one had a fire extinguisher - they ended up bringing in a front loader to put the fire out. Finally some movement started happening, the radio was stating that the demands were met and the protestors were simply waiting for confirmation before opening up the road.

Finally all of the equipment started moving out of the way - we were about the 6th car thru and we made it to Simpson Bay by 8pm.

In no way did we feel that our vacation was ruined. Small inconvenience for us but sounds like big gains for the property owners on the French side.