thomasj
SBH Insider
hello all!
I hope everyone is ready for the holidays. I can't believe that a new year is almost upon us eh.
I spent a week on our little island recently and thought to share a few thoughts. This was my 8th (or is it 9th or 10th?) visit since 2008. At this point I think I've lost track (is this common?) and this last trip turned out VERY different than I thought it would so here goes:
- the island looks great overall, a bit more green growth since summer, but still some way to go on some parts of the island. I stayed this time on Vitet (1st time) and that part of the island looks awesome, lush.
- traffic was, by far, the heaviest I have ever seen it. Lots of cars, lots of trucks and LOTS of scooters. I found most car and truck drivers polite however the scooter drivers are extremely reckless and rude (many were smoking AND on a cell phone while driving). :wink2:
- Gustavia traffic was heaviest I have ever seen it, and parking near impossible. Many times I parked at hospital and walked back.
- beaches look great (except Grand Cul de sac). Saline and Guverneur have gone far but dunes still being rebuilt. Less seaweed than in summer.
- quite busy everywhere, groceries, shops, restaurants. Nice to see that come alive.
- SMOKING everywhere! Ate at Bouchon (good, not great) all customers smoking around us while we ate. Shankar Juice enjoying a juice - smokers all around, Isoletta - tons of smokers. We just gave up and cooked. Marches are well stocked however prices have definitely gone way up.
- one of my travel companions had a very nasty slip on our first day and dislocated her shoulder (among other damage) not broken though. Therefore this trip I had a thorough experience with the St Barts Medical System. If you ever find yourself needing care, well now I know the scoop here. Dr. Gilles (very amicable, fluent English) was awesome and reset my friends shoulder (with laughing gas) in short order. Most of the staff at the hospital DO NOT speak English FYI. The Hospital is rudimentary however looks capable to handle any minor emergencies, there were a few broken limbs and a heart attack while we were there. The Radiology clinic is next door, is newer and has all the necessary equipment, except the X-Ray machine was broken, and they were waiting for someone to come from St. Martin to fix it. The staff at the Radiology clinic also don't speak English. In terms of pricing, bills, etc. for non-EU folk it is 80 euros for a hospital visit during day, 200 after hours. A 24 stay in the hospital is 1200 Euros. The word of the day is INSURANCE! Thankfully I always travel with as did my companions.
- Mosquitos were SO BAD this visit, that even myself, who usually never taste good to them, was eaten alive. Raid and Natrapel only helped minimally. The eaters were everywhere! At least in Vitet there was wind so bearable. It did rain every day I was there.
What else? I will add as I remember.
Finally - visit So Cuisine, if you haven't already. They moved upstairs to a new space, reopened on December 12th and the very nice couple who owns the place did a very nice job with the place and their food is awesome, healthy and fresh (and reasonable prices for island standards).
Great Trip, a little more stressful than normal, but still love the island, cannot wait to come back again.
I hope everyone is ready for the holidays. I can't believe that a new year is almost upon us eh.
I spent a week on our little island recently and thought to share a few thoughts. This was my 8th (or is it 9th or 10th?) visit since 2008. At this point I think I've lost track (is this common?) and this last trip turned out VERY different than I thought it would so here goes:
- the island looks great overall, a bit more green growth since summer, but still some way to go on some parts of the island. I stayed this time on Vitet (1st time) and that part of the island looks awesome, lush.
- traffic was, by far, the heaviest I have ever seen it. Lots of cars, lots of trucks and LOTS of scooters. I found most car and truck drivers polite however the scooter drivers are extremely reckless and rude (many were smoking AND on a cell phone while driving). :wink2:
- Gustavia traffic was heaviest I have ever seen it, and parking near impossible. Many times I parked at hospital and walked back.
- beaches look great (except Grand Cul de sac). Saline and Guverneur have gone far but dunes still being rebuilt. Less seaweed than in summer.
- quite busy everywhere, groceries, shops, restaurants. Nice to see that come alive.
- SMOKING everywhere! Ate at Bouchon (good, not great) all customers smoking around us while we ate. Shankar Juice enjoying a juice - smokers all around, Isoletta - tons of smokers. We just gave up and cooked. Marches are well stocked however prices have definitely gone way up.
- one of my travel companions had a very nasty slip on our first day and dislocated her shoulder (among other damage) not broken though. Therefore this trip I had a thorough experience with the St Barts Medical System. If you ever find yourself needing care, well now I know the scoop here. Dr. Gilles (very amicable, fluent English) was awesome and reset my friends shoulder (with laughing gas) in short order. Most of the staff at the hospital DO NOT speak English FYI. The Hospital is rudimentary however looks capable to handle any minor emergencies, there were a few broken limbs and a heart attack while we were there. The Radiology clinic is next door, is newer and has all the necessary equipment, except the X-Ray machine was broken, and they were waiting for someone to come from St. Martin to fix it. The staff at the Radiology clinic also don't speak English. In terms of pricing, bills, etc. for non-EU folk it is 80 euros for a hospital visit during day, 200 after hours. A 24 stay in the hospital is 1200 Euros. The word of the day is INSURANCE! Thankfully I always travel with as did my companions.
- Mosquitos were SO BAD this visit, that even myself, who usually never taste good to them, was eaten alive. Raid and Natrapel only helped minimally. The eaters were everywhere! At least in Vitet there was wind so bearable. It did rain every day I was there.
What else? I will add as I remember.
Finally - visit So Cuisine, if you haven't already. They moved upstairs to a new space, reopened on December 12th and the very nice couple who owns the place did a very nice job with the place and their food is awesome, healthy and fresh (and reasonable prices for island standards).
Great Trip, a little more stressful than normal, but still love the island, cannot wait to come back again.