March 2020 visit

Hi all,
This was our first visit back since Irma. We stay at Simpsons Beach and were so looking forward to returning to our favorite island. I think this was trip 14. Our first week 3/7-14 went fine. We returned to some of our favorite restaurants, The Palms, Dish D'Lish, Carousel,. We took a fabulous catamaran tour, Boomerang. Everything about the trip was superb. Stephan and Daniel, brothers, were the crew. Passenger size is limited to 22. There were 17 on our trip which took us to Anguilla, with stops for snorkeling and swimming. Highly recommend this trip.

We went to Phillipsburg one day. I thought it was very sad to see so many places boarded up. And the places that were open only had limited merchandise. I was hopeful that things would rebound. Then came week #2 when all heck broke loose.

First our flight home was cancelled with no notification. Non-residents asked to leave. Few flights, I know you have heard this all before. We were one of many who fought the fight with the airlines. Now we all know travel is not fun anymore. And I won't get into a battle with any one over who had the worst experience. But if JetBlue gets a bailout from the federal government after the poor service provided I might start a nation wide protest!!

I feel terrible for the people of SXM whose sole income is tourist related. After just getting over Irma and now dealing with Covid-19, they must feel defeated.

But God willing we will be back next year. What more could interrupt our trip, locust of biblical proportion??

Stay safe!!

Thanks for the report. Glad you got home safe. Do you have any pictures you would like to share?

Re JB, the way things are going, I might be first in line to join it.

Re the people of SXM - they may FEEL defeated now as the full ramifications of Covid19 come to bear but they won't allow themselves to feel that way for long. As they always do, they will get through this and they will be stronger in their survival.

Thank you for your report of your shortened trip and glad you made it home safe and sound.

Pat, you are absolutely right about the spirit of the people of St. Maarten. They are remarkable!

So true.

This was my week to visit, until my flight to SXM was cancelled. I haven't been down since the year my wife passed away. I guess it will be another year now. I had mixed emotions coming back, but I have this desire to bring my grand daughter, to show her where many of our happiest memories were created.

To everyone,
You are absolutely right about the people of SXM. It is one reason we love this island. And why I hate seeing what is happening. I should mention the kindness we experienced this past week. My friends at Dish D’Lish offered to deliver food to us even though we were a two minute walk away. We said we can easily pick up our order. Please use your delivery service for people who cannot pick up or have mobility issues.

The woman who cleans the condo, Mi, an older woman from Haiti. Her English was very limited. I don’t speak creole but I speak enough French to make myself understood so we could communicate. When she found out we had to leave suddenly, she gave me her phone number and asked I call to let her know we got home safely. Because we were leaving, her cleaning schedule was shortened. She wasn’t worried about losing income but that we got home safely.

Sorry no pictures. Will do better next time.

garymoe--No problem, we all are just trying to make it through until we are all able to visit SXM again for ourselves.