Top
Ten Lists:
Our Forum Contributors share their favorite ten things about SBH
Submitted by John & Susie King (4/9/04):
1. Going to the airport in DC in a driving snowstorm wearing
no socks
and that smug look that says: “I’m going to SBH”.
2. Looking through the digital photos of our last trip on the way down.
3. Assuming a transcendental state at SXM while waiting for the next
WinAir departure.
4. Seeing Columbier appear in the distance off the port side of the
Otter.
5. Checking out the yachts in Gustavia harbor off the starboard side of
the Otter.
6. Describing 4 & 5 to my dear wife who is saying Hail Marys with
bowed
head.
7. Touchdown at SBH.
8. The drive to the villa or hotel and total emersion in the sights,
sounds and smells of SBH.
9. Sun Read Lunch Sun Read Nap Dinner Sleep Repeat for 10-14 days.
10. Book the next trip while still on the island. Happiness is always
having the next trip in the desk drawer.
Submitted by Mindy and Mike (02/06/04):
1). Landing into St Barts airport(taking a few yoga breathes!) The view
is unbelievable.
2). Dancing on the tables with my husband at Le Ti.
3). Sunbathing(anything goes) on the beautiful beaches...especially Saline
Beach!
4). Taking the mini out cruising around the island.
5). Great shopping!!!!
6). Great wine and Great Romance!
7). The beautiful people
8). Staying at a friend's beautiful villa in St Jean that overlooks all
of St. Barts
9). The passion for life that everyone has there.
10) coming home and counting the minutes to go back!!!!!!
Submitted
by Mike and Wendi (annual St. Barths visitors since 1983):
1.
First step off the plane into St. Barth's tropical ambiance.
2. Exploring SuperMarche- wines, cognac, pates, cheeses, oh la la.....
3. Meeting Suger to get the key to our usual bungalow- or just letting
ourselves in.
4. Traditional first night at L'Entracte with Louis for the best pizza
on the island.
5. Sunsets and "fruity drinks" at Gustaf.
6. Carib and lime at Le Select, saying "Bonjour" to Marius.
7. Petit dejeuner francais at boulangerie.
8. Hike to Columbier- especially the view when coming around the last
corner.
9. Crepe au maron chantilly at La Creperie with Serge.
10. Loading up to bring home the best rhum vanille at M'Bolo- for a taste
of St. Barths in Colorado.
Submitted by Lance and Libby (12/15/02)
10. Telling folks "if you like St. Martin, you won't like St. Barth's!"
9. The landing and the feeling of being back again.
8. Picnics on Saline w/a bottle of wine, a loaf of bread, good French
cheese and pate'.
7. Sharing restaurant reviews with everyone you see -- whether you know
them or not.
6. Sitting in Bar de l'Oubli watching the world go by -- particularly
the chic French women.
5. Shopping -- especially for sexy French bras.
4. Morning walks on Saline.
3. "Welcome back" greetings by the locals -- such as Andy.
2. Captain Mike's au natural birthday party on Saline.
1. Seeing U.S. friends we've gotten to know at the same time every year.
Submitted
by Dawn (12/12/02):
1. My first glimpse of SBH from my WinAir plane.
2. The landing. Disney has nothin on SBH pilots.
3. Unpacking with Radio SBH playing & champagne.
4. My first visit to Le Select to see my boys Lucien, St. Michel, Jean
Luc & 220.
5. Eddy’s Restaurant for dinner while looking & feeling very
very French.
6. Mandala’s for their Tarte Chaud Au Chocolat. There are no words…
7. Shopping at Black Swann for cute toe rings everyone seems to envy in
the US.
8. Saline. Nuff said…
9. Sunsets lying on a rock at Shell Beach with champagne.
10. Romantic dinners at Marigot Bay Restaurant (the best kept secret on
SBH).
Submitted
by Anonymous (12/6/02):
#10 Andy's hideaway, especially the forum special!
#9 every villa we have rented
#8 Match for wine and cheese
#7 the worst restaurant (better than any in the states)
#6 the views around every turn
#5 french women and suave frenchmen
#4 no news, no crime, no poverty
#3 the beaches, the beaches and yet more beautiful beaches
#2 swimming nude
with my lovely wife on the beaches
#1 never having seen david letterman nude on the beaches
Submitted
by Gary
(12/6/02):
#1. sunrise swim with rays in east side of st jean bay
#2. sunday brunch (all) at Le Gaiac
#3. 2-5 pm on Governeur with Baguette,Gouda, and a Port
#4. beach combing on Washing Machine after a good storm
#5. The "feeling" exiting a great rest. (many) following incred.
food, fabulous wine, rum vanille, with the warmth of friendly people,
warm winds blowing, and the sand finding its way between your toes as
you walk home on the beach, listening to the waves breaking on the sand.
#6. Bar D'oubli or Le Select, feet up on the rail, Heineken in hand, people
(beautiful) watching nightly from 4-7 pm
#7. Getting to know true St Barths....the people
#8. Sunset at the Carl Gustav WOW (for some reason, after lots of travel,,,,still
the best ive seen)
#9. The Mini Moke and the Smart Car
#10. St. Barths brings out the best in people...passion for life and passion
in love. Perhaps its the wine, the food,the couture, the beaches, the
people
Submitted
by Deb/Tor
(12/6/02):
1. Landing at the airport.
2. Departing the plane and smelling that warm sea air knowing what's ahead
for you.
3. View from my terrace at SJV.
4. Dinner at La Sapotillier.
5. Wandering around Gustavia trying to decide where to go for lunch and
stopping for a beer a Le Select while the decision is pondered over.
6. Lunch at Andy's Hideaway for the best pizza ever !
7. The beaches, beaches, beaches - especially Saline.
8. Leisurely lunch at Eden Rock's Sandbar. Expensive, but worth it.
9. Morning walks on St. Jean beach.
10. The people of St. Barths - locals, tourists, etc.
Submitted
by Lauren (12/6/02):
1. The scent upon arrival that smells like "teakwood burning",
a deep aroma that tells me I have arrived again.
2. Massage at dusk by the pool of the villa, looking out over the sea,
a bottle of wine not far away.
3. Boat charter with Ocean Must to Columbier and Forchue, déjeuner
à bord.
4. "Planteurs" by the pool at the Hôtel Christopher, staring
out at the little islands across the infinity pool.
5. Libertine's Lingerie shop in Gustavia (La Perla, Aubade)
6. La Cave near Mont Jean for wonderful wines and old fashioned hand written
receipts.
7. Le Ti for "boeuf au sel" , profiterolles and Rhum Vanille.
8. Le Rivage for purchasing rhum vanille and carryout of baguettes filled
with ham, cheese and great mayo.
9. La Ligne for lotions and oils, and the sensual atmosphere.
10. Driving the hills with music and abandon, then to the ocean, always
amazed at the Grand Fond's similarity to Ireland, finally arriving at
Saline with the wonderful mountainous tête au rocher and the pasture-like
hills...... surrounding........it is too painful to discuss, as I miss
it always.
Submitted
by Eric (12/6/02):
10. The flight from SXM to SBH.
9. The approach & landing on SBH.
8. Seeing the amazingly blue water for the 1st time from our room at Filao.
7. Drinking Heinekens, talking w/ Mario & soaking up the poolside/beach
scene at Filao
6. Our 1st night's dinner. (where ever it may be)
5. The tap tap on my balcony door in the morning letting me know that
breakfast has arrived.
4. Early morning 1st drive around the island & the view you get when
you hit the top of the hill in Grand Fond.
3. The view you get when you get to the top of the sand dune when walking
to Grand Saline.
2. Having a ti punch & drinking beer at Le Select in the afternoon
while my wife shops.
1. Strolling St. Jean beach daily & the relaxed feeling I have all
week.
Submitted
by Mike (12/6/02):
1. Leaving St Maarten behind.
2. The landing (My wife and I are pilots and appreciate the Winair pilots
expertise)
3. Arriving at our villa and feeling the real world peel away.
4. The wonderful and beautiful people of SB.
5. The musical bon jour greeting from the locals.
6. Beaches, beaches, beaches especially Saline.
7. Adapting to the French customs re: beach attire
8. The food. Unbelieveable!!
9. The wine.
10. The tranquility that leaves me dreaming about my next visit the first
heartbeat after the wheels leave the runway on the trip home.
Submitted
by Bob (12/7/02):
1. The children headed to school in Lorient in the morning.
2. The Boulangerie in Flammands and the lovely lady who runs the place.
3. Table dancing at Le Ti.
4. Coming over the dune and into Saline - the best beach view in the world.
5. An infinity pool and the views from our villa.
6. A cold Carib and a lime.
7. No traffic lights and the streets (mostly) have no names.
8. Perfect weather.
9. An island which prompts a serious debate on the topic - do men really
need to wear pants in the best restaurants?
10. Leisurely meals and vanilla rhum.
Submitted
by Anonymous (12/7/02):
1~Coming home to my St. Barths & having friends welcome you at the
airport.
2~7-9am champagne & mango juice with fruit on Governeur.
3~Sunsets from Columbier with Rose' & the boat trip back to Gustavia
after dark.
4~Foie Gras or homemade yogurt made by Bertran DANTEC, FOODLOVER Chef...best
in the world.
5~Rare french wines you can't get in the States.
6~Explaining to tacky cruise ship passengers that cameras & knee socks
are forbidden by law on the beaches & watching them leave!
7~Driving friends who have never been to SB down to Governeur.
8~Midnight body painting parties...
9~Le Ti St-Barth late on a good night.
10~The sights, smells, sounds & feel of sunrise from our villa every
morning.Also, every full moon!
Submitted
by Nick the Dog (12/7/02):
1: That blast of hot air as you leave the jet in SXM on your way to SBH
2: Fighting with the guy at the airport car rental for a better car
3: Provisions at Match before the Villa
4: First night dinner at Andys,greeting with that big smile,telling you
that you have to leave because you don't have a reservation!!!
5: That first morning trip to the "very old women" in Lorient
for fresh bread & walking next door to the Pink Bakery for Croissants
6:Driving out to Point Milou to watch the sun come up
7:Walking around the harbor after dinner & checking out the Yachts
8:Picking up friends on their first visit to SBH
9:Sitting at Bar Oubli and watching the Island drive by
10:The warm water on your long awaited first swim at Saline
Submitted
by Paul (12/7/02):
1. Morning or evening strolls on Flamands Beach
1. Meditating outdoors in the early morning, to the touch of the breezes
and the smell of flowers.
1. Going to the lookout point past Le Petit Morne in Colombier for the
stupendous panoramic view and the sound of the wind
1. Conversing in french with the Breton women selling their lantana palm
handcrafts (and buying some, of course!) near Corossol
1. Buying baguettes & pastries at La Petite Colombe for a petit déjeuner
à la française, with the ocean as our scenery. And having
what's left later in the day, with espresso.
1. Knowing that everyone on the island feels just as blissed out as I
do
1. Striking up conversations with total strangers from France about their
travel experiences and their stay(s) on St. Barths
1. Going out to the beach to marvel at the night sky, with no light pollution
and no noise except the ocean.
1. Discovering restaurants and eateries we hadn't yet tried.
1. Swimming at Saline - absolute heaven!
1. Snorkeling at Isle Fourchue, and enjoying everyone's company and conversation
for the day.
1. Not watching a single moment of television, not giving a damn about
what the stock market is doing, fully appreciating the fact that I don't
own or need a cell phone, and realizing that while on SBH I am bombarded
with thousands fewer advertisements each day than I am at home.
Submitted
by Sandy Beach (12/7/02):
#1 Enjoying a cuban cigar and a glass of french rose wine on Saline beach
in the late afternoon - wearing nothing but a hat.
#2 Starting each day with a fresh quiche or croissant from the bakery
#3 Driving the Suzuki Samari fast on the twisting narrow roads
#4 The frog leg appetizer at Wall House restaurant
#5 a cheeseburger and fries at le select
#6 A good night of dancing at Le Ti
#7 Sex at the villa in the afternoon
#8 The feeling you get when you look over the cliff just past St Jean
on the way toward Lorient
#9 Shopping for groceries at Match
#10 Getting all the news you need from the little one page newspaper that
you get in the morning - with about 4 USA headlines.
Submitted
by Cheri (12/8/02):
1. The short ride over on the tiny plane, the landing, beautiful St. Jean
Baie and the first glimpse of sunbathers on St. Jean Baie as you make
the turn.
2. Stepping off the plane and feeling and smelling the ocean breezes.
3. The first glimpse of the people in the jeeps and scooters whizzing
by as you first walk out the door of the arrival area--noticing how relaxed
and tan everyone looks.
4. Loading the luggage into the car, opening the windows, driving off
and just savoring the first incredibly beautiful vista.
5. The first Ti Punch/Carib offered by the usual very lovely hotel host
or hostess (no matter where we're staying).
6. Walking into the room, taking in the fabulous view from the balcony.
7. Heading out to the bar or balcony for another Ti Punch while enjoying
the breezes and view.
8. Making a reservation for that first dinner, taking the first "nap"
in preparation for the first of many late night dinners.
9. Tuning in Radio St. Barth while getting ready for dinner.
10. Our first dinner by the sea, the Rum Vanille.
11. Driving home with the island music on the radio and thinking of what
lies ahead, looking forward to the next morning, beautiful blue skies
and ocean upon awakening, breakfast, beaches, beaches, beaches and Saline
beach, Le Pelican for lunch (oh, that amazing view), the first drive down
the hill into the tiny picturesque town of Gustavia and being enamored
by all the gigantic yachts in harbor, cocktails in the afternoon, Le Ti
late night, forgetting about life, the infatuation is back in full swing....
12. The day after arrival, driving by the airport and seeing new people
arriving with the same anticipation....
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