We came in Friday. You clear customs in a temporary building/tent. We got our rental car and got groceries at CareFour in Cupecoy. We drove to our apartment in Orient Bay. Our last turn we recognized Mimi from the Club O Boutique. It has been tough for people on the island. You are welcomed at every establishment. The owners of our apartment are very nice. We were greeted with a welcome sign, a bottle of Bordeaux, a fruit basket, and the owners met us at the front door.
We walked to Club O and to the unit we always stay in. The only way to describe what we saw is utter devastation.
There is so much work to be done. After a long day we ordered two good size pizzas from Bo?s in the Village. We could only eat one. Delicious and priced right. We had a beer while waiting.
Yesterday we went to Orient Beach. It was really windy and the umbrellas needed to be down. We had chicken at the Perch Lite. The ladies were very friendly and appreciated all being there. Carnival was in and a few of the passengers came and spent the day.
Some of our friends arrived yesterday. We expect to see many more today.
We are so glad we came. Our hats go off to Club O for the effort they have made and the effort it will take to rebuild.
It?s a beautiful sunny day today so Let The Festivities Begin!
carib cheers,
doctorj

Thanks for the report. We have been waiting on it. Good to know there is still pizza in the Village. What other restaurants are back in business there?

We also have an apartment in the Village for our trip in a few weeks. If we like it, we will probably stay there again next year as I doubt Club O will be up and running by then. Probably at least another two years before it is fully operational.

Wish we could get together with you guys again, but May just doesn't much work for us.
C.

We had a nice lunch at Chez Leandre and a fantastic dinner at Cote Plages
Service was incredible.
The beach featured lots of familiar faces. It is a bit low key but relaxing. Still pretty windy. Club O has a plan and they will get it done.
carib cheers from our favorite destination.
doctorj

Thanks for the update, Doctor. It must be an incredible feeling to get back after all the devastation and see familiar faces. We're going back on 12/2 - the 1st week at Club F, the 2nd TBD.

"But then I think about the good times, down in the Caribbean sunshine..." (J.B.)

Thanks for the updates, sounds like fun!


Life's a beach!

More updates, please.

Good Morning, Thanks for the update. Very interested in returning to St, Martin, possibly for New Years. But, from what I read, it doesn't appear that Club O will be ready. Having only stayed at Club O, (and La Plantation many years ago), I would appreciate any "apartment" suggestions. Thank you in advance and have good day

VRBO has lots of apartments available on the French side.

We have just returned and here is our recap: St. Martin needs your support but it will be back.
Everyone on the island appreciates the visitors. We had a fantastic time. We were with good friends on great beaches.
We met with several of the Club O family. They are there waiting to reopen. They will reopen and rebuilding will begin in earnest in June.
The Perch Lite is a great little operation and the food was very good for a beach lunch. We met Stephen checking one of the units with a vendor.
Florence has an office at La Chapelle in the village. We saw Mimi, Carlos, Patou, and Corinne.
Plans are to open 30 units by the winter season. Papagayo will not be open for some time and from a business perspective
you can certainly understand.
There are hammers going constantly in Orient Village. It is devastating to see the damage at Club O, Grand Case and honestly
the entire Island.
We never felt uneasy on the island. Our apartment was very secure and was found on VRBO. ?Birdie 2?. It was walking
distance to Orient Beach and the restaurants in Orient Bay. Cote Plage and SAO were our two favorites.
The airport is undergoing it?s repairs and is quite functional. The Island is not the way you left it but the Friendly Island is still
there waiting for your return. We had a fantastic time with good friends. If you have the opportunity please go and support
the rebuild.
carib cheers
doctorj

Thanks for the report. Where is the best place to get groceries on the way to Orient Bay from the airport?

Christa,
We went to Care Four in CupeCoy and got groceries initially. It was very small. I would go to Care Four near the round a bout on the Dutch side. It has been modernized, fully stocked, and very nicely done.
carib cheers,
doctorj

Could you send some pix of Club O and the Perch Lite.

Originally posted by Obeach

Could you send some pix of Club O and the Perch Lite.

If I am coming from the airport on Airport Road, and go across the new bridge, there is a roundabout on Union Road just a little after crossing the bridge. Is this the roundabout you speak of? If so, where is Care Four in relation to the roundabout. We don't remember seeing a grocery there. Thanks, C.

Christa, What are your dates this year? We arrive 6/5

We originally were booked for 9 days starting 6/4. Then Irma happened. We gave up on St. Martin until Dr. J started talking it up. So we decided to get a place in the Village and day trip to Club O's beach. By then we had social events scheduled during the first week or so of June. So we booked for 6/13. That is almost here.

We will have one day overlap so I will look for you on the 13th in the afternoon and 14th am :)