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

[Hawke]

1980-2010.

 

[amyb]

Somewhat. Can I be of any help, Hawke?

Many old timers on or lurkers following this forum you know.

 

[cec1]

In my experience, late 70s to early 80s were great! Things began to change mid-80s . . . as telephones arrived!

 

[JEK]

It’s all been great. Some years greater than others! The old Saint Barth is still just around the corner and up that next hill.

 

[amyb]

Yup. And time marches on...........

 

[Eve]

Things changed most noticeably after Hurricane Luis. Had to rebuild so they made a distinct plan for the future. Good or bad, it is exactly what the big boys wanted.

 

[kent1994]

It’s all been great. Some years greater than others! The old Saint Barth is still just around the corner and up that next hill.

:up::up:

 

[davesmom]

:up::up:

:up::up::up: from a semi-old timer..there are still things I have not gotten to or gotten back to..always something new to discover!!

 

[amyb]

I look forward to what 2023 brings!

 

[19rose52]

Been going to St Barts since 1979 every year Lots of changes, especially since they now cater to people with excessive wealth. things certainly changed, however still love the Island, just do our own thing.Some things have changed for the better ( telephone, roads, supermarkets etc) the bad is there r less and less moderate priced restaurants, especially since we stay for 3 months.

 

[cec1]

Been going to St Barts since 1979 every year Lots of changes, especially since they now cater to people with excessive wealth. things certainly changed, however still love the Island, just do our own thing.Some things have changed for the better ( telephone, roads, supermarkets etc) the bad is there r less and less moderate priced restaurants, especially since we stay for 3 months.

So many changes! How nice that you have periods when you get to stay 3 months. I spend a lot of time on the island, but rarely more than a month at a time. In shorter stays, I tend to eat in restaurants (& am occasionally invited to friends’ homes) . . . in longer stays, more time spent in cooking & entertaining at the Villa. Meanwhile, reminiscent of past years, there still are some very good deals in restaurants, particularly at lunch — e.g., Le Jardin, across from the airport, & the nearby Le Diamant (at backside of the St. Jean pond). Happy New Year!

 

[19rose52]

Actually agree Le Jardin very good as is Le Piement, Issoletta,Au Regal,, never been to Le Diamanté, but will try it. bananiers also good

 

[Cwater]

In my experience, late 70s to early 80s were great! Things began to change mid-80s . . . as telephones arrived!

in 87 we used public phones to call the states. There was one I believe around Wall House.

 

[noel]

We first visited St. Barts in 1980. Didi’s parents had built a small house just below the Santa Fe on the road to Gouverneur, which was only partially paved. One memory to share is that this was before the island became such a food place. We actually brought salami and frozen steaks from St. Louis with us one trip. Didi’s mother wouldn’t let us go out for dinner to any of the few places anyway — she thought they were too expensive. Once she relented only enough for us to go to Castelet for drinks.

 

[KevinS]

Actually agree Le Jardin very good as is Le Piement, Issoletta,Au Regal,, never been to Le Diamanté, but will try it. bananiers also good

Check L'Envol, the new restaurant upstairs at the airport. It's packed with locals, and usually has a €14 Plat de Jour. Parking can be tough, but park where you would for Le Jardin and walk over.

 

[Cwater]

We first visited St. Barts in 1980. Didi’s parents had built a small house just below the Santa Fe on the road to Gouverneur, which was only partially paved. One memory to share is that this was before the island became such a food place. We actually brought salami and frozen steaks from St. Louis with us one trip. Didi’s mother wouldn’t let us go out for dinner to any of the few places anyway — she thought they were too expensive. Once she relented only enough for us to go to Castelet for drinks.

wonderful memory and sharing. I remember the unpaved road as well. The bumps going and coming were worth it.

 

[Captain]

We have been coming here for 40 years.
Our 1st stay was at the long departed st Barts beach hotel.Now the site of le Barthélemy. Our favorite restaurants were Le Flamboyant with Albert Balayn as chef…pre-Gloriette days and Marigot Bay as well. Le Marine in Gustavia was a must go as well.
On our 1st trip, Christie Brinkley was on the beach wearing the Sports Illustrated cover bathing suit . On this trip she met Billy Joel and the rest was (brief) history.
Tamarin was great back then. So many nice people places and things back then that are gone. Still a very wonderful special place. Bonne Anne everyone!
.

 

[cassidain]

remarkable to have two members on this thread who have been coming to the island for 40 years and have only a handful of posts to the forum. :blush-smile:

 

[andynap]

remarkable to have two members on this thread who have been coming to the island for 40 years and have only a handful of posts to the forum. :blush-smile:

I would suspect that most of the island visitors don’t post here and there are other sites too. I see some who have been members for years that only have a handful of posts.

 

[amyb]

Posters and lurkers are all welcome.

I have met so many wonderful "strangers"who do not post, yet know the full cast of characters who do post regularly. Readership counts as many have told me of problems solved and questions answered over their many years or few weeks of following the SBHONLINE forum.

I encourage the hesitant readers to jump in and share, but that is simply not for everyone. A certain amount of shyness is understood. I for one, got so much more enjoyment of things St Barths when I became a contributor in 2008. I hope more folks do chime in this year. Seeing things told through new voices with their wide open eyes is a good thing. At least, let me remind you that you are all welcome here.

And I will continue to say WELCOME ABOARD!