StBartFan2
Reged: 11/17/03
Posts: 102
Loc: NYC & Berkshires, Ma
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I have just heard of Les Saintes (also know as Isles des Saintes) that is part of Guadeloupe. It sounds very much like St. Barth in the 70's. Is anyone familiar with it?
Thanks,
StBartFan
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Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15194
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
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people who I know who have gone there and know the ol St Barts before it was discovered by the masses say it is very much like the St Barts I first stumbled upon in 82....it's on our list of places to see....I'm afraid if I go there and all I hear is true.....I may never go back ro SBH....and part of me doesnt want that to happen....too many memories....
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Vote the Issue...not the Image
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Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
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Les Saintes and St Barths are the only two islands with longterm economic histories in the caribbean that were not established and run on a predominantly slave economy. As such, much of the "infrastructure" and peoples of these two islands are European, without a history of an abused underclass.
I dont say any of this to make a political statement, but instead to paint a realistic picture. Many islands in the caribbean had large slave populations supporting an exclusively agrarian economy. And this was a false economy given that only a very small number made fortunes while the workers made nothing. With the end of the slave trade (thank God) many of these plantations and islands ceased to exist as important producers of these products. The islanders were then left with no money, no infrastructure, no education system and nothing to offer except beaches that would not be discovered for generations.
All in all, many of the islanders and islands - in some cases left to rot economically - have done remarkably well in such a relatively short time (a few generations) if you think about it.
St Barts and Les Saintes were the two "major" islands that were never based on slave economies (though each may have had a FEW slaves - depending on which history book you read). As such, there was never the same problem of large numbers of people whose economies collapsed with the end of the slave trade.
I have not been to Les Saintes but would imagine that it shares some of the features of St Barths:
1. French
2. Settled by immigrants who CHOSE to be there - hardy, rugged individuals who scratched a living out of those rocks
3. Never had large plantation economies with the subsequent collapse once the slave trade was outlawed
4. Built up slowly and piece by piece from within by the early generations
May be worth a trip. Anyone having any details, please advise.
Thanks.
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ProfessionalLurker
Reged: 03/15/03
Posts: 1825
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Iles des Saintes is beautiful, lush & tropical with each Island different (there are 8 I think with 2 inhabited), Terre de Haut being the largest. Hard to get to, but just simply gorgeous. I am planning a trip back this spring as I am to Vieques to evaluate possibilities. The French in fact do compare Saintes to St. Barths before any of the development.
There is good info on Saintes, particularly at www.frenchcaribbean.com/AboutLesSaintes.html
I will be glad to give a detailed report after March/April.
Ric
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Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15194
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
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Ric....I would be very interested in reading a trip report from there....any opportunity to turn back the hands of time is a welcomed one for us....let us know please?
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Vote the Issue...not the Image
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DebTor
Reged: 03/26/03
Posts: 1375
Loc: Toronto, Ontario Canada
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Ric: We'd love a report upon your return. Roger and I have been considering Guadeloupe for a few years and in particular, Terre Haute. Looks absolutely breathtaking !
DebTor
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Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15194
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
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I saw two things in the link provided by Ric that really increased my appetite to go there....no rental cars at all (scooters and bikes)and no cruise ship visits............
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ProfessionalLurker
Reged: 03/15/03
Posts: 1825
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I'll be sure to get back to everyone. With as many enticements already noted you have to note the opposite as well...it's hard to get there, the vegetation brings more bugs, there is little to do, dining is rare, grocers, etc. even more rare and most travel is by small boat, on foot or scooter at best. BUT it is beautiful and significantly below the majority Hurricane Belt. Land is cheap and rentals inexpensive. More to come.
Ric
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Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15194
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
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Quote:
I'll be sure to get back to everyone. With as many enticements already noted you have to note the opposite as well...it's hard to get there, the vegetation brings more bugs, there is little to do, dining is rare, grocers, etc. even more rare and most travel is by small boat, on foot or scooter at best. BUT it is beautiful and significantly below the majority Hurricane Belt. Land is cheap and rentals inexpensive. More to come. Ric
I dont see any of those "opposites" as a bad thing...but thats me...have a great trip
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Vote the Issue...not the Image
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Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
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In twenty years, which will look more like St Barth - Les Saintes or St Barth?
That is, we can take it as a given that Les Saintes will develop over time as most nice places do once they make the radar of the travelling world. And so perhaps Les Saintes is now St Barth, circa 1980. Does that mean that in 20 years it will look somewhat like St Barth does today? If so, find me a plot of land and let me puts my money down now.
I like St Barth today. I guess I am spoiled by not being spoiled. That is, by never having seen The Old St Barth, I really have no concept of what I am missing in The New St Barth. Even so, it seems that The New St Barth is just a lot more of The Old St Barth as opposed to something completely different.
I realize there are more people, more hotels, more villas, more traffic and all that. Even so, it seems that The Model itself has not changed. And that model is one of relatively quiet and conservative relaxation as opposed to high energy action 24/7.
Of course, there may be trouble on the horizen. We all glance down at Gustavia for Big Ships on our way to Gouverneur, traffic In Season can be unbearable, and The Saline Beach Golf Club could be a turn toward "civilization" that we all someday regret.
Even so, until high rise hotels, casinoes and the like go in, I think St Barth will just be more of what it is now, which is pretty special.
Having said all that, I am intrigued by Les Saintes, particularly the claim of cheap land. I would love to have a little slice of heaven to call my own. At this point, I am feeling a bit of an Euro pinch to own anything on St Barths.
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