TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin More French Side Talks/Barricades still in Sandy Ground

DAILY HERALD ARTICLE

The article indicates barricades are still in Sandy Ground but they are passable. Personally and for multiple reasons, I would be very leery of trying to pass through them.

Thanks J.D., good to see some progress anyway. Sounds like Cedrick from Club O is involved as well. In any event, we will not be visiting Sandy Ground on our upcoming trip.
Jim

Let's hope they can put their heads together and find a solution to the issues raised. The list is getting longer and although 12 heads are better than one it is harder to agree or compromise. One head above the rest to bring an agreement to the table would be better. Let's hope for parades in the streets instead of road blocks and riots!

Well, honestly, there was never anything for tourists to visit in Sandy Ground anyway. We did use to travel through there from time to time on the way somewhere else, but I doubt we will in the near future.

we drove from Cupecoy to Happy Bay through Sandy Ground a few days ago....it was way worse than we expected....many burned out cars still in the road, so had to weave in and out to get through a bunch of sections of road...often gaps just barely big enough to squeeze our car through....avoided Sandy Ground after that

I wonder how many people are cancelling trips.

Years ago there used to be several good restaurants in the Sandy Ground area and near the bridge. I think they saw the light and moved elsewhere or closed.

except for Sandy Ground, the rest of the island seems business as usual...all other areas of the the French side (Marigot, Orient, Grand Case, etc) were fine...don’t see a reason to cancel a trip, unless you’re supposed to stay in Sandy Ground...but to each their own

Yes, that's true. Mario's has been gone for a while..

Le Santal in Sandy Ground. One of the best Restaurants I have ever eaten in, with stunning views.

Mario's, The Bridge, La Gondola are a few that come to mind.

Yes to all of those. I actually looked pre Irma at a couple of properties by the bridge. I brought a friend with me who owns restaurants and we scoped it out. Living accommodation on top, restaurant with a British pub flair for the bottom and there was room for 4 boats to dock. Holiday home and business combined. Think now it was May 2017. What with health issues and of course Irma, not going to happen and looking back now, was I fortunate!
However, in my dreams, I’m in charge on behalf of France with a huge allocated fund to relocate the people who have lost their homes elsewhere with a generous settlement and have a 10 year plan to make this area a destination. Yes it’s a dream!

You were pretty lucky things did not work out.

As JD said, very fortunate for you that things didn't work out.

I know one couple who cancelled there vacation they were staying in Grand Case for 12 nights , there going to a different Island .

We arrived in SXM the day that the strike began, 12/12/19! AAA car rental people warned about the blockades but we had to get to Orient! Went through P'Burg and then Oyster Pond, got stymied at French Quarter (Orleans) but a really nice local dude on a motorbike took pity on us and led us around the blockage. Stayed in Orient for 10 days and little sign of it there except few folks could get there and Orient Village closed down for a few hours on day 3 (Saturday) until they opened the route from Grand Case. People with flights home had to take boats to the airport from Anse Marcel! Club O beach was almost empty. After 4 days or so the roads got opened except for French Quarter and Sandy Ground. It was fine when we left on 12/22.

Any issues going to Orient Beach via Marigot, staying in Simpson Bay third week Jan

No, we havent seen/heard any issues whatsoever. Eaten in Grand Case two nights and transited Marigot vis causeway without anything out of good old ordinary.

Shopped at Super U marigot and at Super U Hope Estate.

NO ISSUES

Good deal.

Pelican--good to hear. Enjoy your trip.

I know folks here enjoy the French side and understandably so, but given what has been happening there the past several years, I am less and less inclined to venture there. Went to St. Maarten twice last year (stayed a combined 6 weeks plus) and only ventured as far as Marigot. Have no real interest to do otherwise until they get their act together.

Well from under a yellow umbrella I’m not sure what any problems there are on the French side