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French side today? #211408
12/15/2019 12:03 PM
12/15/2019 12:03 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline OP
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I'm not cutting off the other discussion, as there certainly are some good points there. But was hoping for a report on the status on the French side today, for those on island.


Carol Hill
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Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211410
12/15/2019 12:07 PM
12/15/2019 12:07 PM
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Maybe put in the title what the day is? wink 'Cuz tomorrow today is yesterday....lol


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211411
12/15/2019 12:14 PM
12/15/2019 12:14 PM
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bran Offline
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Awaiting to hear something....WiFi though intermittent

Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211412
12/15/2019 12:18 PM
12/15/2019 12:18 PM
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This is credited to David Royston in a public forum. Ostensibly it is from this morning.

[Linked Image]



Sandy Ground would be the area to avoid. I know that people have gotten out and to the airport via Oyster Pond route.

Gallery owner on French side has not opened in 4 days. GP who works at KKO on Orient has not gone to work since Thursday. They are losing business.


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211413
12/15/2019 12:34 PM
12/15/2019 12:34 PM
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bran Offline
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This is absurd. Show these pics to the world, even if it is in one section and you know how news travels fast, people will cancel their trips or be extremely concerned as they should. How on earth can the authorities allow this to happen or at least continue?

Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211415
12/15/2019 12:36 PM
12/15/2019 12:36 PM
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bran Offline
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Was just informed from our concierge who looks after the villas in our development that they are advising nobody to venture out onto the French side yet and will keep me updated.

Re: French side today? [Re: bran] #211416
12/15/2019 12:40 PM
12/15/2019 12:40 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline OP
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bran--OK, stay safe. I never thought such a thing would happen on sweet St. Martin..


Carol Hill
Re: French side today? [Re: BeachKitten] #211417
12/15/2019 12:42 PM
12/15/2019 12:42 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline OP
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That picture looks to be Sandy Ground to me. BeachKitten--are you saying that the road is open through Oyster Pond? Or someone took a boat to the Dutch side of OP?


Carol Hill
Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211420
12/15/2019 12:50 PM
12/15/2019 12:50 PM
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BeachKitten Offline
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They drove through this morning....very early. But barricades are expected to go back up. <sigh>

As of yesterday Lesley had 3 cars trapped over on the French side. That leaves his inventory low for people coming in. And the people coming in cannot get to their lodgings on French side....and are scrambling for a place to spend the night. Not good. frown


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: French side today? [Re: BeachKitten] #211422
12/15/2019 12:54 PM
12/15/2019 12:54 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline OP
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Leona--thanks. I'm sure all the car rental guys are in about the same situation. I do hope this can get resolved soon...


Carol Hill
Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211424
12/15/2019 01:04 PM
12/15/2019 01:04 PM
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Upstate NY
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I am in Orient and leaving tomorrow. I headed out around 630 this morning just to scope things out and found the main road at Grand Case totally blocked as well as going the other way via the French quarter. Both the main road and a bypass (Rue Mullet Fish) we’re blocked. Rue Mullet Fish had what looked like a flatbed trailer across the road. No real activity going on at either spot at this time. If people have found a way to/from Orient in the last day I would love to know the way. Thx.

Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211425
12/15/2019 01:09 PM
12/15/2019 01:09 PM
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Where then are the authorities at these road junctions to stop this happening in the first place? Something is just not right about all of this!!

Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211426
12/15/2019 01:11 PM
12/15/2019 01:11 PM
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That is Sandy Ground. Not sure if I mentioned on Thursday came back from Anguilla and was just 2 cars behind seeing at least 20 youths pushing a car(I thought they were helping someone out hence the road being blocked,) until I saw them turn it over. Thought I was dreaming. Boy did I turn round fast.

Re: French side today? [Re: sxmfantoo] #211427
12/15/2019 01:30 PM
12/15/2019 01:30 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline OP
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sxmfantoo--Thanks for the report. Best wishes getting out tomorrow. Have you checked about a boat somehow?? Have you been in touch with your airline, to see what happens if you are not able to get there?


Carol Hill
Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211429
12/15/2019 01:45 PM
12/15/2019 01:45 PM
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I am actually on the beach at La Playa with a beer in my hand. Already in contact with someone with a boat. Seems lots of people using the option leaving from Anse Marcel. Some are using it as an option to get here also. Biggest worry is the rental car but don’t have another option if roads are closed. Our plan is to try and drive out at daylight and see if any way is clear. If not, leaving the car and taking the boat. Hoping the rental car company works with us.

Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211430
12/15/2019 01:50 PM
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don’t worry about the bloody rental car. They can sort that out later. First concern is yourselves and getting out safely.

Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211444
12/15/2019 03:05 PM
12/15/2019 03:05 PM
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sxmmartini Offline
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French side 1982

Marigot Market...

Attached Files image.jpeg
Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211445
12/15/2019 03:14 PM
12/15/2019 03:14 PM
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BeachKitten Offline
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Whoa......

PRIME MINISTER UPDATES ON FRENCH SIDE DEVELOPMENTS

Philipsburg – Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs, supported by the Council of Ministers, decided today, in a second emergency meeting with Police representatives, senior staff of the Ministries of General Affairs, Justice, and TEATT, that Government of St. Maarten will not grant clearance for commercial cargo ships to dock at the Port of St. Maarten nor for the military transportation trucks to be offloaded and transported via the sea to Galisbay as requested by Mme. la Préfète Foucher.

Prime Minister Jacobs could also not grant permission on Saturday to a request from Mme. la Préfète Foucher in relation to allowing a convoy of 4 trucks and 10 cars to traverse from the Oyster pond border point to Bellevue in order for extra gendarmes to enter the French Territory.

Both decisions were taken after extensive deliberation with the stakeholders and with proper consideration of the negative implications, of the ongoing developments on French Saint Martin, for Dutch St. Maarten and with the safety and security of St. Maarten and its people as our main priority. Our solidarity as a St. Martin people will continue to be with our brothers and sisters in the north. We implore all who would escalate the violence to remain calm and seek to resolve the impasse in an amicable manner.

The Government assured their continued cooperation and reiterated that the lines of communication between the two governments will remain open as we continue to monitor any changes and provide updates periodically. We will continue to facilitate safe arrangements for persons and tourists going to and leaving from the French side, as well as facilitating visitors who are currently staying on the French Side. Government has also upon request allowed movement over our borders to render any assistance needed for medical and other emergencies, and pledges to continue to do so in the interest of safety and security.

The Chief of Police Carl John reassured the Council of Ministers and all stakeholders that there was absolutely no increase in any reported activity on the Dutch side that is related to the current situation on French St. Martin, however, the Justice ministry is ready with an operation plan should the situation escalate. Dutch St. Maarten is open for normal day to day business operations, and we continue to welcome our visitors during this high season.


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211446
12/15/2019 03:20 PM
12/15/2019 03:20 PM
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bran Offline
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That last sentence says it all. We are open for business but screw the French.

Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211447
12/15/2019 03:26 PM
12/15/2019 03:26 PM
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I am done.. I can't read anymore! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Re: French side today? [Re: BeachKitten] #211448
12/15/2019 03:36 PM
12/15/2019 03:36 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline OP
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Say what??? What kind of BS is this by the Dutch side??????? BS....


Carol Hill
Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211450
12/15/2019 03:39 PM
12/15/2019 03:39 PM
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Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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For those on Facebook, there's a public group that is easy to join that has current information on the traffic situation. https://www.facebook.com/groups/621379588028148/?fref=nf. A lot of it is in French, but it's easily translated using the translate feature of Facebook.

Last edited by GaKaye; 12/15/2019 03:40 PM.
Re: French side today? [Re: GaKaye] #211451
12/15/2019 03:41 PM
12/15/2019 03:41 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline OP
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That link has been posted here before, but it appears most everything is in French, and very difficult to follow, to me..


Carol Hill
Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211452
12/15/2019 03:43 PM
12/15/2019 03:43 PM
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Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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Originally Posted by Carol_Hill
That link has been posted here before, but it appears most everything is in French, and very difficult to follow, to me..


Sorry, I hadn't seen it here before. It's not easy to follow, but better than nothing, to me....

Re: French side today? [Re: GaKaye] #211453
12/15/2019 03:45 PM
12/15/2019 03:45 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline OP
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JD posted it a couple of days ago. Facebook in general is pretty unintelligible to me.


Carol Hill
Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211454
12/15/2019 04:01 PM
12/15/2019 04:01 PM
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That's huge!! Waiting & watching. We are 19 days away from trip on French side. 😔

Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211462
12/15/2019 04:47 PM
12/15/2019 04:47 PM
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Looking at the pictures brought tears to my eyes and right away I felt like I was viewing photos of the horrific storm Irma. But that was natures way, this is humans destroying their own town. Police better get on top of this before people are hurt or killed. Beautiful SXM in the middle of destructive violence.

Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211464
12/15/2019 05:20 PM
12/15/2019 05:20 PM
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I just arrived in SXM. I will be staying on the dutch side, so is there still a way going to Orient Beach?

Re: French side today? [Re: bc007] #211466
12/15/2019 05:23 PM
12/15/2019 05:23 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline OP
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Suggest you wait until tomorrow and see what the status is, as of then.


Carol Hill
Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211467
12/15/2019 05:26 PM
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Thanks Carol.

Re: French side today? [Re: bc007] #211474
12/15/2019 06:52 PM
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http://sxmislandtime.com/minister-o...enforces-preparedness-on-the-dutch-side/

Don't think i would travel to the french side at this time....none of this sounds good

Re: French side today? [Re: Shelby2] #211488
12/15/2019 11:06 PM
12/15/2019 11:06 PM
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Schools are closed Monday on the French side now.


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211541
12/16/2019 04:13 PM
12/16/2019 04:13 PM
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Total government incompetence, not ensuring safety of citizens and visitors, scandalous. My Jan trip will be my last after 25 years visiting st martin. Appears to be turning into another Jamaica

Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211544
12/16/2019 04:54 PM
12/16/2019 04:54 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline OP
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Carol Hill
Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211545
12/16/2019 04:57 PM
12/16/2019 04:57 PM
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"Barricades still remain in place in French Quarter and Sandy Ground."

I don't understand that how they cannot stay and guard the area once they have cleared the roadblock...to prevent it from going up again?


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: French side today? [Re: Seaisle] #211546
12/16/2019 05:05 PM
12/16/2019 05:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Seaisle
Total government incompetence, not ensuring safety of citizens and visitors, scandalous. My Jan trip will be my last after 25 years visiting st martin. Appears to be turning into another Jamaica


Sea isle, we honeymooned in Negril in 2005, I swore I would never go back because of the non-stop hassling from the airport to beach in front of our resort. 14 years later and I have kept my word.

Feb 1 will to be my first trip back to SXM in 25 years; In the 90's my ex & I did SxM 2X in 4 years with Cuba in between.

Our final AirBnB payment is coming due Mid-Jan but I will be looking carefully at the cancellation rules long before then, as well as cost to adjust tickets bought with Aeroplan points.

Too many other nice beaches in the world to visit before I put us through this stressful crap.


After every Monday and Tuesday even the calendar says WTF.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/63321157@N08/albums
Re: French side today? [Re: bran] #211548
12/16/2019 05:23 PM
12/16/2019 05:23 PM
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Bran, I have only been on the board scatter since Thanksgivings and am now trying to get my head wrapped what is going on. Are you staying in Terres Basse and have restrictions placed on you right now? I ask this because this is where we normally stay. I am currently in the process of planning a relatively large trip there. For some folks, this will be their first trip back since pre-Irma. I know that most of the maids that service the villas live in Sandy Ground. Have they been impacted?

Thanks for any info you can give.

Re: French side today? [Re: Carol_Hill] #211549
12/16/2019 05:48 PM
12/16/2019 05:48 PM
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When Locals are uprising the Government needs to also address the impact to tourists... It seems that tourists are the last thing on their agenda. Whatever!

Re: French side today? [Re: I_AM_CDN] #211554
12/16/2019 06:15 PM
12/16/2019 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by I_AM_CDN

Our final AirBnB payment is coming due Mid-Jan but I will be looking carefully at the cancellation rules long before then, as well as cost to adjust tickets bought with Aeroplan points.Too many other nice beaches in the world to visit before I put us through this stressful crap.


Cancelling SXM will cost us:
$275 Cdn of the deposit we made on Orient Bay Airbnb;
$276 USD for two seats on LIAT St Kitts to SXM.
= < $500 USD plus an unknown Aeroplan change fee.

For the same Aeroplan points we can do 12 days in Grenada where AirBNB can be had for 50% of SxM rates which would help offset the SXM charges......very tempting as GND was next on our to do list anyway.


After every Monday and Tuesday even the calendar says WTF.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/63321157@N08/albums
Re: French side today? [Re: Maranjo] #211555
12/16/2019 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Maranjo
Bran, I have only been on the board scatter since Thanksgivings and am now trying to get my head wrapped what is going on. Are you staying in Terres Basse and have restrictions placed on you right now? I ask this because this is where we normally stay. I am currently in the process of planning a relatively large trip there. For some folks, this will be their first trip back since pre-Irma. I know that most of the maids that service the villas live in Sandy Ground. Have they been impacted?

Thanks for any info you can give.


No problem at all, no restrictions whatsoever and nothing for you to worry about. I only had the maid not come this Saturday as she couldn’t get in but quite frankly we didn’t want or need her anyway and in TB they will supply other maids to cater for your needs depending on who you are going with. Regardless, if you have Carimo as your Concierge, PM me and I will give some further info as I have been well informed with everything that has been going on but as you know TB is one of the safest places to be anywhere with their in house security.

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