Trip Report July 12- July 19

[RVBama]

Let me start this way.... I will never be the same. My wife and I finally visited this piece of paradise from July 12 through July 19.. What an amazing week we had. This board was so helpful in planning our trip and The Island took care of the rest. Some details:

Flight- USAir through Charlotte, St. Maarten then Winair to SBH All went extremely smooth. The landing in SBH was Awesome. We sat behind the pilot on the smaller plane and could see all.

Villa- We stayed in St. Jean in a Wimco villa SAS. It was terrific. It had everything you could want in a villa. I would be hard pressed to NOT return to this villa..

Food- What can you not say, everywhere we ate was delightful. Dinners were at Andy's, Kai'fe Massai, Eden Rock, Maya'a, Le Piment, Carl Gustaf, and used Chef Bernhard the last night in our villa. All were wonderful. Eden Rock and Gustaf were exceptional and very special. I previously posted about Chef Bernhard, his dinner was also extremely special. A very fun way to end the week. Lunches were also great... Le plage Tom Beach, Cocolobos, Do Brazil, Le Select, Niki Beach, and takeout from Le Petite Colombier Bakery. Everything was good. Really enjoyed Do Brazil and seeing Shell Beach. We probably were not going there otherwise but was very nice.

Beaches- St. Jean, Saline, Gouvernour, Colombier. The hike to Colombier was great through Flamands. We enjoyed it once we got going and got past a Snake. I stepped over it not seeing it and my wife saw it and wouldn't budge. A girl named Lindsey ( Tropical Car) and her large dog came along the snake left and all was good. She "guided" us the rest of the way. It was a great way to spend the day. But our favorite,,, By far was Gouvenour.. We saw the Moon come up two evenings there, with wine in hand.. It was something I will not forget.

Shopping- Unfortunately my wife loved it. All I can say. One funny thing, we loved this French CD in our villa so much, I bought it off Ebay when I got back even though we cannot speak any french and have no idea what she is singing.

People- We enjoyed all. We have never been to Europe, so it was really unique to us. We used our "Southern Hospitality" everywhere and people were friendly in return. We definently could get used to the culture there. Everything is so laid back, the way a vacation should be.

I now have one big serious question for the forum..... How does one handle the Depression upon returning home????????? I have had alot of trouble getting back to work. I truly miss St. Barth's and can't wait to return. I still check this board daily just like before I went trying to capture some more memories. I am so happy for all about to experience what we just did. Hopefully, we will be able to return in 2006, and many more years thereafter. Until then, Please continue to share your experiences so we may enjoy them with all of you.
Thanks!

 

[JEK]

. . . I now have one big serious question for the forum..... How does one handle the Depression upon returning home????????? I have had alot of trouble getting back to work. . . .

Loved your report! Nothing like a newbie's raves to make my day. As to the cure, only one thing works: book your next trip as soon as you return! We love Carnival (Mardi Gras) and have a set plan to travel the Wednesday before Carnival and stay for two weeks. Mid-week travel in high season is much easier. We are booked for the next 3 years

 

[bajajudy]

Gotcha!

 

[KevinS]

JEK's suggestion is pretty much what I do, but I only plan 6-months to a year ahead. I don't leave the island until the next trip is planned.

 

[LauraB]

Of the music that I listen to, lots has no lyrics. Of the remainder, at least 50% of the lyrics are in languages that I don't speak, at least not well. Ususally I can only pick out a few of the words. I think of it this way: those few words give you the palette, and you paint the picture yourself...so she's saying whatever you want her to say! I'm glad you enjoyed your trip; sorry about the bad case of DIF (dreaded island fever). The only cure is re-exposure and even that's only temporary.

 

[jhaney]

RVBama

Great report. I am attempting to plan another trip to SBH. How private is SAS. Is it Nekkid private?

 

[KaraBrooks]

Thanks for your great trip report - sounds like a special trip! I, too, have seen that "snake" on the hike to Colombier (was it bright green?). The company line is that there are no snakes on the island and that it is some kind of other (non-poisonous) creature but I am not buying.

Thanks again for sharing.

 

[Island Visitor]

There are all manner of lizards on the island. I am not aware of snakes though I cant say that I have turned over every rock on the island. Supposedly the only two island in that part of the world featuring dangerous snakes are Martinique and St Lucia, both of which have the dreaded fer de lance. The other islands are supposed to be snakefree - at least free from the poisonous kind.

 

[Island Visitor]

Of course it goes without saying that snakes could indeed exist even if nothing more than a family pet that got loose and laid eggs. And St Barts welcomes boats to its ports and shores daily. What could have come over in a crate on a ship? (Hopefully NOT a krait).

Proving a negative (there are NO snakes) is much harder than proving a positive (here is a snake). So I place the probability of such a serpent on that trail as substantially higher than the likelihood of the Loch Ness Monster existing.

 

[RVBama]

snakes and nekkid

It definently was a snake. We have pleanty here in Alabama to compare them to. It was non poisonous and a greenish/ grayish color about 2.5 to 3 feet long. Probably some variety of garden snake. When the girl kicked at it with her shoe, it simply went of into the bushes....No Harm done , just don't be alarmed to see one.

Someone asked about SAS and was it private enough for nekkidness? It depends on how "invisible" you feel at the time. I found it to be plenty private for nekkidness most of the time, and at other times wondered just what everyone else was seeing. All in all , we didn't care. It was way too fun!!! You are only away from the kids (5 and 9) every once in a while.

 

[jroyer]

I have seen a large (four foot) non-poisonous snake in a previously vacant lot on Mont Jean a few years ago. So, yes, they are about. I didn't ask his port of embarkation! BTW, Bama, I would think a good southern boy wouldn't have a problem with a little old snake! LOL
By the way, welcome to my affliction. I find the only cure is to be holding tickets for the next trip-- something tangible to remind me of the next time...

John

 

[claudia]

A small yellow snake visited the cocktail party we attended at Villa at the Top several years ago.It was not shy and did not retreat when we all examined itto speculate whether it was dangerous or harmless.

 

[rivertrash]

Great report. Sorry so late seeing it. We have been going to SB for five years -- 4 trips in that time -- and I've never found this board before. Duh! Anyway, we're going back next Wednesday. Staying at Wimco villa JBA. (Anyone been there or know anything about it? This past January we stayed in their villa DEV and loved it.

Was restaurant La Mandala open when you were there? I know some places are closed during the summer and I thought it was closed, but someone has told me it's open now.

Look forward to visiting this board often. By the way, the previous posters were right -- the only way to get past the depression of coming home is to plan the next trip ASAP.