The first wind turbine on St Barth is high in the hills of Lurin. It is hoped that these silent and pollution-free devices will replace noisy generators. This wind turbine can capture the wind from all directions without having to turn on its axis, which is often a source of breakdowns requiring repairs. It starts producing energy with only 5-6 km/hour of wind. For more information, visit www.energies-sb.com.

Posted on July 17, 2008 5:37 PM | Permanent Link: Wind Power | Comments (0)

Complete results from the 2007 census will be published at the beginning of 2009, but some preliminary data has become available. The population of St Barth has increased from 6854 residents in January 1999 to 8450 in January 2007. As in 1999, there are still more men than women on the island, 53.2% and 46.8%, respectively. Most people are in the 40-59 year-old age bracket; a change from the 20-39 year-old age bracket in 1999. Like the U.S., the baby boomers are aging, but less than 10% of the population is older than 60 and nearly 50% of the residents are single. As might be expected with all the construction underway, the unemployment rate is a relatively low 3.2%.

Posted on July 17, 2008 5:36 PM | Permanent Link: Preliminary Results from the 2007 Census | Comments (0)

One of the most frequent complaints registered with the police in St Barth is the level of the noise from construction, bars and discotheques. However, many complaints go unanswered due to the inability to measure the noise level. Recently, the territorial police and the gendarmes (the French police) have received three sonometers and will be able to quantify the noise level and take appropriate action. Depending on the time of day, the frequency and the level of noise, those responsible can be charged between 68 to 450 euros. If the offense is described as "sound aggression," the perpetrator could go to prison for up to one year and be charged with a fine of 15,000 euros. St Barth already has several restrictions in place. For example, the use of tools or apparatuses that make too much noise cannot be used between 6:00 pm and 7:00 am Monday through Saturday, between noon and 2:00 pm Monday through Friday, and between noon and 6:00 pm on Saturdays and all day on Sundays.

Posted on July 16, 2008 5:35 PM | Permanent Link: Noise Level to be Measured and Controlled | Comments (0)

Michel Magras, who teaches science and biology at the Mireille Choisy junior high school in Gustavia, has recently published Flowers of Saint Barthélemy. His book, which is in French and English, classifies 280 species of the 400 different flowers that are found on St Barth and contains 1000 photos. The book is presented as a practical guidebook, but also contains the Latin names and carefully documented scientific characteristics of the plants. Along with the scientific information, you'll find interesting anecdotes. For example, M. Magras tells us that the acacia tree, locally called "bois lolo" has been banned from gardens around houses "and systematically destroyed, while, in fact, their horizontal roots actively fight against the erosion of the soil." Two thousand copies of the book have been published and are available in the bookstores for 25 euros.

Posted on July 16, 2008 5:33 PM | Permanent Link: Flowers of Saint Barthélemy | Comments (0)

July 19, 2008
Festival of Anse des Cayes: music, food, games, contests

July 26-27, 2008
Festival of the Northern Villages: music, food, games, contests. At ASCCO in Colombier

August 2008
SB JAM Music Festival (specific dates will be posted later)

August 9-10, 2008
Festival of the Windward Villages: music, food, fishing contests. Held in Lorient.

August 16-17, 2008
Festival of Gustavia; regattas, music, food. Held on the quay in Gustavia.

August 24, 2008
Festival of St Barthélemy: regattas, public ball, fireworks. Held on the quay in Gustavia.

August 25, 2008
Festival of St Louis: fishing contest, games, food, music. Held in Corossol.

November 16-23, 2008
Swedish Week

December 15-23, 2008
Transact Classique Lagassé

Posted on July 15, 2008 5:42 PM | Permanent Link: On the Horizon | Comments (0)

With gas prices rising every week, the airlines are in the news more and more.

American Airlines has announced that they are adding two new direct flights out of Miami and New York for the upcoming tourism season. The new twice-weekly New York flight starts in December and will go increase to five flights per week in January. The second direct flight from Miami is scheduled to start in November. It will leave Miami at 5:15 pm and arrive in St. Maarten at 9:10 pm. The aircraft will stay overnight there and leave the next morning at 9:10 am, arriving in Miami at 11:30 am.

Air Caraïbes has announced that it will again offer flights between St Barth and St Maarten starting on July 15 in partnership with Tropical Airlines.

Posted on July 15, 2008 5:27 PM | Permanent Link: St. Barts Airline Updates | Comments (0)

This beautifully designed new one-bedroom, one-bathroom hillside villa exudes romance. Guests enjoy the intimate ambiance, privacy and gorgeous view. An open, fully equipped kitchen with bar looks out to the view. A large sun deck surrounds the swimming pool and warm Jacuzzi while the dining area and outdoor sitting area lie under the covered portion of the deck. The bedroom, which looks out to the view, features a 4-poster king bed, a loveseat, television and stereo. The air-conditioned ensuite bath boasts a walk-in closet and double-sink vanity that also looks out to the view. Villa Piment is the perfect choice for honeymooners as well as for those seeking a romantic hideaway.

Posted on July 15, 2008 5:15 PM | Permanent Link: Villa Piment | Comments (0)

Posted on July 12, 2008 8:37 PM | Permanent Link: An issue with St. Barts air access | Comments (0)

From an interesting blog post here. Sounds good!

Posted on July 8, 2008 7:21 AM | Permanent Link: La Mandala | Comments (0)

July 19, 2008 Festival of Anse des Cayes: music, food, games, contests

July 26-27, 2008 Festival of the Northern Villages: music, food, games, contests. At ASCCO in Colombier

August 2008 SB JAM Music Festival (specific dates will be posted later)

August 9-10, 2008 Festival of the Windward Villages: music, food, fishing contests. Held in Lorient.

August 16-17, 2008 Festival of Gustavia; regattas, music, food. Held on the quay in Gustavia.

August 24, 2008 Festival of St Barthelemy: regattas, public ball, fireworks. Held on the quay in Gustavia.

August 25, 2008 Festival of St Louis: fishing contest, games, food, music. Held in Corossol.

November 16-23, 2008 Swedish Week

December 15-23, 2008 Transact Classique Lagasse

Posted on July 7, 2008 11:16 AM | Permanent Link: Upcoming St. Barts events | Comments (0)

The Hotel Le Toiny, located on the southeastern coaSt. of St. Barth, is a member of the Relais & Chateaux chain. The hotel's restaurant, Le Gaiac, overlooks the Caribbean and has a beautiful pool that restaurant guests are welcome to use. The restaurant is now offering a special "Discover St. Barth" menu poolside every Friday evening for 58 euros. And, clients of St. Barth Properties can enjoy complimentary cocktails. Among other items, the menu includes such temptations as crawfish wrapped in crispy spaghetti with a guacamole of mango and passion fruit, crab raviolis, and rack of lamb coated with crusty coconut and served with an eggplant chutney and spring vegetables.

Continue reading "Specials at Le Toiny Hotel" »

Posted on July 1, 2008 11:23 AM | Permanent Link: Specials at Le Toiny Hotel | Comments (0)

Last week, it was reported that Air Caraibes, who provides commercial flights and charters between St. Maarten and St. Barth has ceased all operations of flights and the handling of flights and charters until further notice due to financial losses. Those with confirmed tickets are being accommodated by other airlines, notably Winair. It is expected that in early July the airline will resume operations in conjunction with a third-party, most likely Tropical Airlines, which is also known as Air Antilles Express.

Spirit Airlines recently announced it would close its San Juan hub.

JetBlue Airways Corp. plans to add daily flights to Puerto Rico from New York, Orlando and Boston starting this fall. However, in September, they will cease their daily flights to St. Maarten and offer flights only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In early October, daily flights will resume except for Tuesday and Wednesday. They expect to resume daily flights again on October 30.

Posted on June 30, 2008 11:25 AM | Permanent Link: More Airline News | Comments (0)

Word has it that the 4-star Hotel Francois Plantation, located on the northwestern tip of the island, high in the hills of Colombier, has decided to close its doors. Whether this is truly a permanent closing or not remains to be seen. They were closed for renovations when this news arrived. Several sources say they will not re-open. However, their website says "closed until further notice." We'll juSt. have to wait and see what happens. Not only would this be a loss of a lovely hotel, but also of an excellent restaurant.

Posted on June 30, 2008 11:21 AM | Permanent Link: Has the Francois Plantation Closed Its Doors for Good? | Comments (0)

St. Barth Properties is offering a "Deals on Wheels" special from June 16 to October 31. If you make a reservation during that time at one of the villas or hotels that they represent, you can rent a car for $175 per week, with a $25 rate for each additional day. A normally good rate for this time of year is 25 euros per day, which at current exchange rates is $39.50 per day! These rates are good for a Suzuki Ignis hardtop sedan or a Jimny soft-top convertible Jeep, both with automatic transmission. For further details and to book your reservation, visit their website at www.stbarth.com.

Posted on June 30, 2008 11:20 AM | Permanent Link: St. Barth Properties Offers Great Savings on Car Rentals | Comments (0)

Segeco, the exclusive distributor for Dom Perignon in the Caribbean, organized an event on June 3 at the Manapany Hotel in Anse des Cayes to present the vintage Dom Perignon Millesime 2000, marking the firSt. time that a vintage Dom Perignon has been presented in the Caribbean. This vintage was made from grapes picked at the end of the 20th century and aged for seven years in the champagne cellar. Chief champagne maker Richard Geoffroy describes the aroma as having "notes of poached pears and gardenia" and that "on the palate, notes of anise and dry ginger mix with a hint of ripe fruit (pear and mango)."

Posted on June 30, 2008 11:20 AM | Permanent Link: St. Barth Chosen for Pre-Release Preview of Dom Perignon 2000 Vintage | Comments (0)