Why here? Why then?
- Thread starter tomb1954
- Start date
patchdad
SBH Insider
Love these stories - many echo our own. Came on a catamaran trip from SXM in 1985. Did the island tour with Constant Gumbs (still have his business card), lunched at Chez Francine
and fell in love. Two years later, our 10 month old son in tow, we came back and stayed at the old St. Barths Beach Hotel in Grand Cul de Sac. I remember wondering if we would find
disposable diapers, we did and he dined in fine style on Poulet en Riz. We continued to bring our kids (we didn't realize until recently that it was against the rules
), over the years, along
with visits to other islands in between, but they loved it in St. Barths and we were lucky enough to bring everyone back last year (significant others also) and hope that we can continue to
share it with them over the coming years. We so need our SBH fix, that one year we did a home exchange with someone who owned a villa in SXM, but one day we took the ferry over to SBH, rented a car and went to Saline, we just needed to touch the terra firma!!
and fell in love. Two years later, our 10 month old son in tow, we came back and stayed at the old St. Barths Beach Hotel in Grand Cul de Sac. I remember wondering if we would find
disposable diapers, we did and he dined in fine style on Poulet en Riz. We continued to bring our kids (we didn't realize until recently that it was against the rules
), over the years, along with visits to other islands in between, but they loved it in St. Barths and we were lucky enough to bring everyone back last year (significant others also) and hope that we can continue to
share it with them over the coming years. We so need our SBH fix, that one year we did a home exchange with someone who owned a villa in SXM, but one day we took the ferry over to SBH, rented a car and went to Saline, we just needed to touch the terra firma!!
abc
SBH Insider
Went to St Martin for our 25th anniversary and enjoyed the French culture. Loved La Samanna Hotel and the restaurants on Grand Case but was not happy with the island crime and feeling you needed eyes behind your head to remain safe. Shortly thereafter came upon Kara Brook's website Sbhonline. Was thrilled to find a safe French island with great restaurants and beautiful beaches. We booked a room at Isle de France one very rainy week in November perhaps 15 years ago and despite the horrible weather felt this island was something special. We've returned perhaps every other year since, staying at hotels and villas. The comfort level of the island is now engrained in my soul. This website definitely keeps me going between vacations. Thank you to all the contributors
stbartshopper
Senior Insider
Have been all over the Caribbean but never to SBH. Always good things are said about it. I told my wife I would like to go. We went and have never looked back!
bkeats
Senior Insider
Kind of the point, actually. Sorry, but my friends started coming in 1992, and they still glorify the "St. Barth that was then." I had to reach back a bit farther, because (I think) by the early 90's St. Barth was starting to gain visibility that made it more mainstream. Just a thought.
Oh, and if you were in your 20''s in the 90's-even the early 90's-you're still a young'un. Embrace it now; it is fleeting!
Well I kept to the spirit of the OP but plenty others who discovered SBH within the past 27 years are weighing in despite the original limitation of no discoveries post 1990. Interesting reading so I'll just keep observing.
In 1979 we honeymooned in Tortola. When we got back to dc while at a cocktail party more than one other guest asked where we had gone. When explaining about Tortola a number of people said if that is your idea of paradise you should have gone to St. Barts where at least the food is good. Fast Forward to 1984. I am working in Baltimore. My mentor happens to mention that he and his wife take an annual trip to St. Barts and they love the place. Finally in 1989 we try it on our own. We stayed at the St. Barts Beach Hotel and took 10 days in our minimoke to thoroughly explore the island. We have been coming back almost every year ever since. My favorite moment was in 1991 on our first night on the island that year we went to Le Flamboyant for dinner and who is walking up the hill ahead of us but my mentor and his wife. As it turns out it was their last night on the island ever. It was a great privilege for us to spend that last wonderful meal with them. The thing I miss the most is in the old days as one would go from restaurant to restaurant for dinner you would invariably meet the same people, strike up a conversation and end up having dinner together later in the trip.
thomasj
SBH Insider
VERY VERY JEALOUS of all you members that have known the island since the 70s, 80s and 90s. Thanks for the memories!
GramChop
Senior Insider
Me, too! Cute photo, Charlie!
le_reve
Senior Insider
Ha - me too! I was in college in 1990.
leep75
SBH Insider
Same here, I was exactly 20 AND I hadn't even been on an airplane in 1990!
MIke R
Senior Insider
I m a ski bum and we have a somewhat similar expression
explaining the allure of a deep powder day to a non skier is like explaining the allure of great sex to a virgin
Bart -my real name-
Senior Insider
Tom -
Change up the thread! It wouldn't be the first time we've gone off on a tangent.
For me, 107 GD shows (exactly) and 17 JGB shows (pretty sure that's accurate)
And to keep it in the spirit of the original post, if Jerry wasn't on stage, you can't count it!!! ;-)
