How many people on this site remember the early times on St.Barts.

[Dana Stocks]

Amy, you may recall me introducing myself to you and your husband in June at Santa Fe? I'm probably an example of a 35 year St Barths visitor who only occasionally posts, but visits the island 2-3 times year since our first visit! I'll try to step up my game, including sharing occasional old photos and pics of memorabilia from the 80's onward ...

 

[cassidain]

I'm probably an example of a 35 year St Barths visitor who only occasionally posts, but visits the island 2-3 times year since our first visit! I'll try to step up my game, including sharing occasional old photos and pics of memorabilia from the 80's onward ...

Hawke, you may have started something here !

 

[amyb]

Amy, you may recall me introducing myself to you and your husband in June at Santa Fe? I'm probably an example of a 35 year St Barths visitor who only occasionally posts, but visits the island 2-3 times year since our first visit! I'll try to step up my game, including sharing occasional old photos and pics of memorabilia from the 80's onward ...

Dana that would be great and something many of us would love to see. Thank you so much. Amy

 

[elgreaux]

We are getting ready for our 42nd year. So may great memories of old St Barth. No airport, Mokes, Les Castelets, the Beach Club, Chez Francine on Sundays, Rotisserie in town, Marigot Bay Club, Au Port, Vincent Adam, La Cave for hydroponic tomatoes, The Anglican Church when only 12 of us would be in attendance. It was so peaceful and so safe. You could leave anything in your open car and it would be there when you got back. The island was spotless and driving was sane.
Even with all the changes , it is still our happy place. We’ve made wonderful friendships that have continued off the island for decades.
It’s great fun to read about the early days and using French phone cards hoping that you could figure out exactly how many minutes you had left. ;-)
Happy New Year everyone!

No airport? You mean no airport terminal building? Anyone know what year that was built? I remember an early iteration with the open-air bar and newspaper shop...

 

[cec1]

No airport? You mean no airport terminal building? Anyone know what year that was built? I remember an early iteration with the open-air bar and newspaper shop...

In 1978, the airport “terminal” — where airline desks were found — was in the building on the “far side” of the airport . . . i.e., directly opposite of the present terminal, where Xavier David’s construction management firm now is located. As I recall, the small terminal, with open-air bar & newspaper shop, opened about 1980. The “newspaper shop” was very amusing . . . it sometimes had one or two copies of a newspaper that was at least three days old — and usually had been well-read! Could the bartender have been “Mario,” later of fame at places like Filao Beach Hotel?

 

[KevinS]

We are just neophytes as our first stay was at the Guanahani - extra credit if you know the date it opened and double extra if you know the conceptual name. KevinS need not try to compete. Anyway we’re are headed back there to see how the facelift worked out for them. I always treasure that loooong drive back from Gustavia at midnight.

Just to give this question a bump - When the hotel first opened rates were reported to be $260 - $310 per night. I think they've gone up a bit.

 

[Hawke]

Hawke, you may have started something here !

I have told this story before. I was working on Nantucket installing carpet and Julie Bell who was an interior decorator
asked me to bind and install a stair runner in a home in exchange for a week at her villa on St.Barts. My wife and I and 4 children, along with her sister went to St. Barts. The seven of us traveled to the beaches, a few restaurants and site seeing all in a Moke. It was a great adventure and we have been back many, many times.

 

[Dennis]

Lisa and I were engaged and planning our honeymoon in 2001. A client of hers had just come back from this place called St Barth's and suggested it to her.

We knew NOTHING about it and this forum didn't exist, of course.

We used a travel agent to book our trip, staying at the Guanahani.

Our original wedding date was 11-11-01. When 9-11 happened that September and all air travel stopped for a while, we were not sure if we would still be able to travel internationally. Thankfully, we were but had to move the wedding to 11-9 due to limited flights from Memphis to ATL.

SO, off we went only to arrive too late to make our Winair trip over from SXM. We watched the small plane taxi away from gate 10 not knowing what to do.

Luckily, some fellow travelers had missed the flight as well and they were more seasoned ST Barths travelers. They suggested we grab a taxi and head to the ferry.

Awesome, we thought. Sounds romantic!

Well, we all know what the ferry is like. It was loud, smelled of diesel and, of course, was not "romantic" at all unless the sounds of people vomiting is a kink.

We made it to shore without losing our stomach contents. Our fellow travelers grabbed a cab, offered to split the cost since their villa was almost to the Guanahani.

We stopped at their villa, had a tour (amazing) and headed to the G.

It was late, we were tired and hungry. We showered, dressed and headed to the main restaurant. Charles Darden was playing, and it was the first moment I knew we had picked the right place. Remember, we had not seen the island in daylight yet.

So, I was made to go change into long pants.

A woman at the next table had a Yorkie sitting on the table eating its meal from a beautiful bowl. Golfer Jim Fyruk (sp) was seating across the way.

The entire week was a blur. We rented a Smart car. Our first and last time. I slid down the Caramuche hill in a drizzle.

The entire staff the Carl Gustaff restaurant hugged us and walked us out to our car. It wasn't until I got home and realized that tipping was included that I realized why they showed us so much love. I was tipping like a rock star!

Lisa ordered oysters at the Eden Rock, and one was bad, so she attempted to send them back. The waiter returned, placed the oysters back down and said that the chef says they are fine!


It took us 10 years to make it back and although we are not an every year couple, it is still a magical place that we hope to return to soon.

 

[debd]

1980-2010.

Closer to late 1980's for us.

First trip was just me.

Early memories - a wonderful El Sereno staff to watch over me. First $ eye opening Marigot Bay order of salad and water for lunch. Taking what felt like a hundred tries to make a 3 point turn, in a Moke, in the dark, when I discovered the street heading up from Tamarin ended pretty quickly (back then). The (rare) phones in front of Tamarin and the "bar" in Flamands.

Then, shortly after, with Jac, starting from Le Select and on to the sisters at La Marine, only to find I had "lost" my wallet (left on a table at Le Select). Sisters said not to worry about the bill. Police were closed (it was after 5 pm). Next day, police were annoyed the finders would not turn in the wallet to the police. Wallet retrieved, intact, with only compensation being multiple rounds of Red Stripes for the visiting sailors. Then back to pay our bill at La Marine.

Have been back every year since, once, (sometimes) twice a year, except year 1 of pandemic. Have tended to favor SBH over some of the other beautiful islands out there. Truth be told, island has lost a little of its appeal for us for some of the reasons listed above. But, will happily spend our upcoming time, with each other, on the beach, visiting the bakery and the U, dining at Eddy's and enjoying du pain, du fromage et du vin while savoring the sound of the waves rolling in.

 

[tgdallas]

Our first time on the island was 2004 and we have been a total of 9 times (a relative newbie!), with the most recent being 12/6/22-12/13/22. Already looking at dates for December '23! So much has changed in the 18 years that have passed since the first trip. The most significant to me is the traffic and the disappearing green hillsides due to all of the villa construction. Many restaurants have come and gone that we liked or loved: Maya's, Wall House, Le Route de Bucaneers, K'fe' Messai, Mandala, Carl Gustaf, Le Sapotieller (sp?), Andy's Hideaway, La Gloriette, Pipiri Palace, etc. Still a world of wonderful restaurant experiences to enjoy though! And we used to have to go into Gustavia to the Internet Cafe on the 2nd floor of a building in order to check email! We've stayed in three different villas in Pointe Milou (2x each), one in Marigot, one in Lurin, and one in Petite Saline.

 

[debd]

"And we used to have to go into Gustavia to the Internet Cafe on the 2nd floor of a building in order to check email!" tgdallas

Oh, yuh.

 

[Cwater]

Lisa and I were engaged and planning our honeymoon in 2001. A client of hers had just come back from this place called St Barth's and suggested it to her.

We knew NOTHING about it and this forum didn't exist, of course.

We used a travel agent to book our trip, staying at the Guanahani.

Our original wedding date was 11-11-01. When 9-11 happened that September and all air travel stopped for a while, we were not sure if we would still be able to travel internationally. Thankfully, we were but had to move the wedding to 11-9 due to limited flights from Memphis to ATL.

SO, off we went only to arrive too late to make our Winair trip over from SXM. We watched the small plane taxi away from gate 10 not knowing what to do.

Luckily, some fellow travelers had missed the flight as well and they were more seasoned ST Barths travelers. They suggested we grab a taxi and head to the ferry.

Awesome, we thought. Sounds romantic!

Well, we all know what the ferry is like. It was loud, smelled of diesel and, of course, was not "romantic" at all unless the sounds of people vomiting is a kink.

We made it to shore without losing our stomach contents. Our fellow travelers grabbed a cab, offered to split the cost since their villa was almost to the Guanahani.

We stopped at their villa, had a tour (amazing) and headed to the G.

It was late, we were tired and hungry. We showered, dressed and headed to the main restaurant. Charles Darden was playing, and it was the first moment I knew we had picked the right place. Remember, we had not seen the island in daylight yet.

So, I was made to go change into long pants.

A woman at the next table had a Yorkie sitting on the table eating its meal from a beautiful bowl. Golfer Jim Fyruk (sp) was seating across the way.

The entire week was a blur. We rented a Smart car. Our first and last time. I slid down the Caramuche hill in a drizzle.

The entire staff the Carl Gustaff restaurant hugged us and walked us out to our car. It wasn't until I got home and realized that tipping was included that I realized why they showed us so much love. I was tipping like a rock star!

Lisa ordered oysters at the Eden Rock, and one was bad, so she attempted to send them back. The waiter returned, placed the oysters back down and said that the chef says they are fine!


It took us 10 years to make it back and although we are not an every year couple, it is still a magical place that we hope to return to soon.

Cheryl & I kept on tipping and wondering why everyone on St.Barth is always happy! Cheryl still does not like to eat at Eden Rock. I love the pizza and an expensive bottle of wine there. Sitting on my favorite beach is a spiritual experience.

 

[noel]

We had a picture of our daughter Joan at 11 months at the old airport, in 1983. She was sitting in the dirt playing with a puppy. I can't find the original but JEK posted it on this site within the last couple years wondering whose photo it was.
John, any help?
Thanks!

 

[JEK]

We had a picture of our daughter Joan at 11 months at the old airport, in 1983. She was sitting in the dirt playing with a puppy. I can't find the original but JEK posted it on this site within the last couple years wondering whose photo it was.
John, any help?
Thanks!

I will look but older posts seem to be gone bye bye

 

[JEK]

That didn’t take long!
https://www.sbhonline.com/photo-galleries/photo-gallery-vintage-st-barts/

 

[amyb]

A photo worthy of the hunt. Adorable girl and quaint airstrip.

 

[noel]

Thanks John and thanks Amy!
Joanie is now 40 and on the faculty of Washington University Medical School here in St. Louis.
Best,
Tim

 

[JEK]

Loads of other interesting photos at that link.

 

[NYCFred]

"And we used to have to go into Gustavia to the Internet Cafe on the 2nd floor of a building in order to check email!" tgdallas

Oh, yuh.

Yup.

And Carole (Le Ti) was commuting from St Martin selling ads in her guidebook.

Rented Villa Polo. Was a bakery down the driveway around back of Le Ti at the time where they'd sell baguettes + croissants for cash in the AM

Brought the 2 daughters. We had to try about 6 restos in Gstavia before finding one that had something they'd both eat.
They didn't see the island for another 25 years...

Found Birdy (SCUBA) and dove w him for the next 20 years.

Winair ran service weekly to Saba. Hopped a plane, met at the airport by Sea Saba and off for a day of diving. Return to airport to discover Winair had canceled the SBH return. Got on a flight to SMH in a wet t shirt, flip flops w a dive bag + a credit card. Figured I'd get a room somewhere.
Landed SMH + pilot says "Shhh!". Walked me + a few bird watchers across the tarmac to another aircraft and off to SBH we went, just before dark. Immigration? Hah!
Pre cell phone days, so my poor wife had been hanging at the airport for hours.
Fun times.

 

[JEK]

Yup.

And Carole (Le Ti) was commuting from St Martin selling ads in her guidebook.

Rented Villa Polo. Was a bakery down the driveway around back of Le Ti at the time where they'd sell baguettes + croissants for cash in the AM

Brought the 2 daughters. We had to try about 6 restos in Gstavia before finding one that had something they'd both eat.
They didn't see the island for another 25 years...

Found Birdy (SCUBA) and dove w him for the next 20 years.

Winair ran service weekly to Saba. Hopped a plane, met at the airport by Sea Saba and off for a day of diving. Return to airport to discover Winair had canceled the SBH return. Got on a flight to SMH in a wet t shirt, flip flops w a dive bag + a credit card. Figured I'd get a room somewhere.
Landed SMH + pilot says "Shhh!". Walked me + a few bird watchers across the tarmac to another aircraft and off to SBH we went, just before dark. Immigration? Hah!
Pre cell phone days, so my poor wife had been hanging at the airport for hours.
Fun times.

:laughing-cry: