Delta is still flying Atlanta to St Martin. Arrived Saturday. Customs was in a tent. Michael of Unity met us with our rental car. Drove to Princess Heights Hotel. It was the closest open hotel to Orient Beach when we reserved.
Drove to Club O on Sunday. Bar is open with food and drinks. Wooden buildings are gone. Concrete units have no doors or windows. Plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas for rent on Club O beach. Temporary toilet set up. Cannot get through from Orient Village right now.
One or two restaurants open in Orient Village. Small sundry shop and ice cream shop open. The beach bars are all gone.
Sol et Luna restaurant was open.
Cul de Sac pier in place. Pinel ferry boat there but not sure of its schedule.
Former Us Market building in Hope area is gone. There is a good small market in Hope area.
Friars Bay bar was open.
Marigot restaurants on main street were open. A few vendors were in the open market. Two Marina restaurants were open. Many many wrecked boats piled or lined up south of Marigot. Looks like a boat junkyard.
Vegetation is coming back well.
If you can get a room there is no reason not to come to St Martin now.

Thanks for the update.

Joe: What does the north end look like? Coco beach or Esmeralda???

Thanks, and keep us up to date about your experiences please........And have a great time!

Life's a beach!

Esmeralda units had roof damage. The beach bars are gone so the beach looks a bit empty.
We went to Phillipsburg today because it was too rainy for the beach. About 40 % of the shops are open. No cruise ships there today but ships are expected all week. Merchants are thankful for each customer.
Roof damage everywhere on the island.

Went to Club O beach today. Beautiful weather. Rented 2 chairs and umbrella for $18. Had beverages and food from Perch. Met and talked with friendly people on the beach.

Thanks for info.

Well, it is looking a little better. Is Willie back at the Perch?

Joe Thanks for the update. Can you post some pics

Island Bound

Willie is on another island until Club O is more complete. Martinique I think. Perch Lite is functioning well.
Visited Lotterie Farm on Thursday. Hiked trail. Pool area is rebuilt and open. Bar with food is now in pool are only. Had a great lunch there.
Stayed on Club O beach Wednesday and Friday. The three concrete units nearest the water are gone. Not all the remaining concrete units can be saved. Most have roof damage. Some were undermined by the water surge. Water sports building is not there. Papagaoes building is damaged but not gone.Roof is partly collapsed .
I will see about posting a few pictures.

Thanks Joe and all who are there. It would of been our 20th year this year for me and my wife. It wont be the same. Such great friends.

Going home Wednesday. Have had another great time in St Martin. Now is a great time to visit.

Leaving St Martin reminded me of the the way it was before the new terminal was built. Now you start the process in tents. The people were nice. Once you get to the gate area you are in the former baggage handling area. Many fans but no a/c. Atlanta had storms so our flight was late and we missed our connection in Atlanta. Spent the night and got back to Indiana, and snow, on Thursday. We'll be back next year.

How many people were on club orients beach? Were they mostly nude? I noticed on recent video that few people could be seen. Hope to be there next November.

We?re staying at Mont Vernon. Got here Wednesday and staying for 6 weeks. The personality of the beach has changed because there are so few people on it. From what we?ve heard the businesses, especially the small ones, want to reopen using modified containers but the government won?t let them. Something about deciding how and where to rebuild. Dutch side is nearly normal. I?ll post photos and videos as I take them if someone will tell me how to do it.

Originally posted by Tenderfoot

We?re staying at Mont Vernon. Got here Wednesday and staying for 6 weeks. The personality of the beach has changed because there are so few people on it. From what we?ve heard the businesses, especially the small ones, want to reopen using modified containers but the government won?t let them. Something about deciding how and where to rebuild. Dutch side is nearly normal. I?ll post photos and videos as I take them if someone will tell me how to do it.

First, if you want to post in this thread, click on reply, which is the icon with the curved arrow, or at the top right of screen, click on "Reply to Topic." If you want to start a new thread, click on "New Topic."

When that screen shows, look to the top of the reply screen. You will see "Format:" For photos you will see the 14 icons next to "Format:" You will want the one that is the 4th from the right and is a square with a horn across the top. I don't see anyway to insert directly from my hard drive, so a third party hosting program, such as Photobucket will be required. Click on the icon and insert the link from the third party host between the brackets.

For videos, the icons will be directly below photo icon. Select the medium you will use and click on it. Insert between the brackets.