WOW! What great memories this thread brings back.
For me they begin in March 1987 with a one week stay on Flamands beach at the hotel that was destroyed by a hurricane a few years later. Name escapes me. Coming from Boston/Nantucket then, and riding in an open sided Moke... who cared if one got wet in the showers? It was a warm rain when it was snowing back home.
After buying at Colony Club in 1999 and then selling 20 years later, in part because so much had changed, SBH is still the best! Plus ca change.... mais it's still the greatest.
My favorite memories...
-Staying at Petite Morne the first 10 years for 2 weeks 2-3 times a year. Doors wide open and the night wind blowing thru the studio.
-Renting a Moke from Odile... she's still a beauty, but a real babe back then.
-Gouveneur beach at 1PM when the shop girls would come for lunch, unwrap their pareo, eat and sunbathe nude until time to return to work.
-Pelican resto, now site of Nikki. Then it was a true island beach bar with a simple fish menu.
-Moules et frites on Thursday nights from the two sisters that ran La Marine. I would call from the States to reserve a table... a big deal call back then.
-Pierre at Pipiri Palace. First night was always for Ribs and Blues! A fun guy that rolled his own cigs with a little "extra". Always a gleam in his eye, Pierre's rum vanille was the strongest
To me, Pierre's passing was the first sign of change on the island. I'm always happy to find Regine is OK.
-Baz Bar at New Years and Bucket when Jean Marc would say "screw the decibel meter" and let the place rock. Jimmy arriving to borrow Evan Goodrow's guitar.
But fortunately some things are still the same.
-Eddys. Great food and always a friendly hello from Eddy, Bridget et al.
-Walking down the hill into town for dinner and the hike home. I still rent at Colony Club when on island.
-Gouveneur beach. Despite the americans and their piles of beach paraphernalia, if you walk to the end you can find solitude
I'm sure I'm leaving much out, having spent 2-3 years in total on island over the 32 years since 1987, but these are what come first to mind. The best years!
I'm always happy when I check in here and see the vibrant community that helps keep the spirit alive.
Vivre St Barth!