I spent my honeymoon on the french side of SXM. Loved the way the locals treated us, much alike we brazilians treat tourists. Hope you guys rebuild soon. My heart is with you guys on that island. Can't wait to come back! Love from Brazil. =]
Too bad that French Billionaires don’t care as much about helping their fellow Frenchmen on this island recover as they do about rebuilding Notre Dame...
I loved going to St. Maarten... I was introduced to it in 2001 and went back several times. So sad to see the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma. Wondering what it is like now - in 2023? Anyone know if the Flamingo was ever rebuilt? ...and how Topper's made out? Would love to hear good news...
That is great to hear. I live in the British Virgin Islands and we also got hit by hurricane Irma but we are rebuilding and getting better. I hope your country continue to improve
I was in St martin, in the summer I was on the Dutch side. The French side was hit bad but alot of people left that's what I really noticed the most. Tourism is much lower. I live in Dominica, where Maria hit & they are much slower in getting the island moving, mainly because it is a slower less built up island. Over 20 thousand people left when there's no work force it makes the island much harder to progress.
I am not specialist here, but wouldn't it be more wise to create construction buildings that could be prepared/braced for such hurricane events? Perhaps lower, max 1 floor high, with cellars and more sturdy roof builds? Is it even possible?
I’m here in SMX right now...on Dutch side. I haven’t driven over to the French side yet. Have heard there has been some recent “trouble” over there because the people are still angry. Burned out cars on side of road, etc.
Very very sad what hit my island... I say my island as i have stayed on the island more times then i can count now. And added time together would be well over a year... My home away from home.. Many many friends.. I visited in June and was shocked... The Dutch side. on the rebuild...... lots of construction and destruction.. Building toward the future.. The French side looked like it was hit a month earlier.. Very little going on and even very little clean up... If they had started to pick up a stick or two every day since Irma they would have it all cleaned up by now... It's sad because i love the French side, it makes the island unique. I'll be back in the next week or so and look forward to see all that's gone on.....
You have no idea of all the clean up that's been going on by volunteers since 1 year...And no idea of the living conditions of most of us here so please don't judge too quick !
No disrespect at all.. My comment was that the Dutch side has cleaned up and rebuilt much quicker then the French side of the island.. If you must, take a drive around as I did when I was there... I've stayed on the French side and did say that I loved it.. But it is plain to see that the Dutch side are back stronger and quicker.. I'm not judging at all. Just stating facts..
The French are treating St. Martin like us in the United States treating Puerto Rico. The Dutch side of Sint Maarten is doing much better though. Hey France! Don't be like America (I am an American) and ignore your Caribbean territories (US Virgin Islands are not doing much better either). :-(
The Dutch government does not give the local government loads of money. They try to monitor the projects to prevent money ending up in corruption. The PM of St. Maarten was advised to step down, and he did, to get help for his country. It is a small community, and family links are important.
Nah man. I visited August 2018 dutch side was doing okay, and just came back today 8/19/2019 and I can tell you both sides are up and running ESPECIALLY the dutch side. French side still a bit behind but way more advanced 2018. The island is coming back, don't hesitate to go.
Already 20 per cent have moved out of the island and more will leave, and the poorer left on their own in a massive pal of scrap junk`s island called St Martin.
Are you talking about the French side or the whole Island? It would be sad if the whole Island got a bad reputation. Bad for tourism. As I understand, the Dutch side is recovering nicely. But also that was delayed by political disagreements between The Hague and Phillipsburg where the Dutch wanted watertight guarantees that the money would be spent on recovering, not on corruption.
@@ronaldderooij1774 I've been back twice since Irma,.In June for 10 days and again in Sept for two weeks. The Dutch side of the island is back.... Missing the Sonesta's Both Maho close to ready and Great Bay a complete rebuild and the Royal Palms in Simpson Bay.. Reconstruction and new construction everywhere.. The French side is another story... I am sad to say..
