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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest"
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.
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.
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?
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.
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"
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.
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.
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
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.
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?
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!
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.
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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'Cuz tomorrow today is yesterday....lol![[Linked Image]](http://www.traveltalkonline.com/gallery/40/medium/4588.jpg)
