After three years, Boubou’s Music Festival returns! It all began in 2001 when Boubou and his friend and performing artist Yannick Noah first thought of hosting a music festival in Saint Barth. Boubou, who lives in Saint Barth, is the owner of the restaurants Do Brazil on Shell Beach and La Mandala in Gustavia. His friend Yannick often visits the island. Years ago, Yannick and his band, the Zam Zam, performed frequently in various locales on the island, often inviting local musicians to play along with them. Boubou thought about inviting other musicians to do the same. And, thus, the festival was born! They successfully staged a festival in 2001, 2002 and 2003. So, we’ve waited three years for the next one. This year’s festival takes places from August 9 through August 20 at the Hotel Christopher in Point Milou. Access will be by shuttle bus or by foot for those who live or are staying nearby. The hotel is selling packages for three phases of the festival: Backstage Time (8/1 – 8/8), which includes the time of festival setup and preparations from 7 am to 6 pm; Live Time (8/9 – 8/15 or 8/15-8/21), during which music rehearsals and live concerts will take place between 3 pm and 4 am; and After Show Time (8/21-8/29), during which the festival sets will be torn down from 7 am to 6 pm. Some packages include a car and a pass for two people to the festival.

BACKSTAGE
TIME: Festival set-up and preparations from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Building of sets will produce noise; swimming pool not available; bars and restaurants will be closed; breakfast served in rooms only.

LIVE TIME: Musical rehearsals and live concert between 3:00 pm and 4:00 am. Swimming pool not available; bars and restaurants will be closed; breakfast served in rooms only. One festival pass for 2 people for each night of the stay.

AFTER SHOW TIME: Tearing down period of the festival sets from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Swimming pool not available; bars and restaurants will be closed; breakfast served in rooms only. For early departure, the total amount of the stay that is booked will be due.

Types of car included (without insurance): Suzuki Samourai (4x4, manual, soft top) or Alto (automatic, A/C, compact)

*Types of Rooms

Classic Ocean Front Room (32m2): Nice view of the tropical gardens, private patio on the path level. Twin or king-size bed, mahogany furnishings. Spacious bathrooms with shower, bathtub and separate toilet.

Deluxe Ocean View Room (34m2): On the second level. Access from the back of the buildings. View of the pool and the ocean (180°). Private terrace with balcony. Teak furniture outside. Large rooms with mahogany furnishings. Bathroom that opens on the tropical gardens.

The Family Suite (60m²2): On the second level. View of the pool and the ocean with 2 bedrooms and 1 air- conditioned bathroom. Large covered terrace (35m²).

The Aloès Suite (72m2): Covered terrace (12 m2) and external deck (6 m2). Ocean view. One bedroom and one bathroom (shower and toilets separated) on one end. Living room with desk and sofa bed, toilets, shower and dressing room on the other end.

Contact: christopherresa@wanadoo.fr

Telephone: (011 590) 590 27 63

Fax: (011 590) 590 27 92 92

www.boubous-festival.com

Posted on May 31, 2006 3:19 PM| Permanent Link: Boubou's Music Festival, Christopher Hotel| Comments (0)

Le Manapany is a four-star luxe hotel located on the northwest coast of St Barts in the small village of Anse des Cayes, two miles from Gustavia and 1.5 miles from the airport. The hotel offers a variety of accommodations decorated in a Balinese style: 32 cottages and 36 junior suites, which are located in a tropical garden; and six apartments, which are next to the 600-foot beach. All rooms have air-conditioning, TV, radio, mini-bar, hair dryer and a refrigerator. The cottages have a private terrace. Amenities include a pool and Jacuzzi, a fitness center, tennis courts, concierge services, room service, meeting facilities and a poolside restaurant and bar.

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Phone: 05 90 27 66 55
Fax: 05 90 27 75 28
Email: manapany@saint-barths.com

Posted on May 31, 2006 2:09 PM| Permanent Link: Hotel Le Manapany| Comments (0)

The Carl Gustaf, located on a hillside in Gustavia overlooking the picturesque harbor, is a four-star luxe hotel. The hotel offers 14 one- or two-bedroom suites, each in its own cottage with a view of the harbor and the sunset. Each suite has a private terrace and plunge pool, air-conditioned bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchenette, mini-bar, direct telephone line, TV, DVD player and CD player. The hotel offers a business center with Internet access, a fitness center, beauty salon, 24-hour room service, restaurant and bar, and complimentary shuttle to the beaches. Its location in Gustavia affords easy access to beautiful Shell Beach and all the restaurants and shops in town.

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Phone: 05 90 29 79 00
Fax: 05 90 27 82 37
Email: info@hotelcarlgustaf.com

Posted on May 31, 2006 12:53 PM| Permanent Link: Hotel Carl Gustaf| Comments (0)

Eden Roc, located on the Baie of St Jean in the heart of the town of St Jean, is a member of the pretigious Relais & Chateaux chain. This hotel sits between two beautiful beaches and offers 29 unique rooms all of which have air-conditioning, wireless internet, a mini-bar, CD player, DVD player, and satellite TV. The rooms consist of cottages, suites, a house with a walled garden, private pool and views of the ocean, and a loft suite at the top of the rock. The property has two restaurants, two bars, water sports, a fitness center, a boutique and an art gallery. Many shops and restaurants are within easy walking distance.

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Phone: 05 90 29 79 99
Fax: 05 90 27 88 37
USA Toll Free: 1-877-563-7105
Email: info@edenrockhotel.com

Posted on May 31, 2006 12:43 PM| Permanent Link: Eden Roc Hotel| Comments (1)

Gustavia (590 590) 29 79 00

The Carl Gustaf restaurant, of the Carl Gustaf hotel, sits high on a hill overlooking the spectacular harbor of Gustavia. An ideal place for sunset cocktails with live music, the restaurants serves the finest gastronomic French cuisine and has one of the best wine cellars on the island. The restaurant is open daily and accepts all major credit cards. Reservations are highly recommended.

Lunch 12:00 to 2:00
Dinner 7:00 to 10:30

Posted on May 31, 2006 8:41 AM| Permanent Link: Carl Gustaf| Comments (0)

Grand Cul de Sac (590 590) 27 66 60

L'Indigo is located at the Guanahani Hotel & Spa. You will dine next to the pool and the bordering beach with views of the beautiful turquoise water of Grand Cul de Sac. The restaurant serves French and Mediterranean cuisine with fresh fish and lobster every day. Major credit cards are accepted.

Breakfast 7:00 to 10:00
Lunch 12:00 to 5:00
Dinner 7:00 to 9:30

Posted on May 31, 2006 8:29 AM| Permanent Link: L'Indigo| Comments (0)

Grand Cul de Sac (590 590) 27 75 66

La Gloriette sits right on the beach of the calm waters of Grand Cul de Sac and serves delicious French and Creole cuisine. You can order an appetizer, main course and dessert for 25 € from the Creole menu or for 32 € from the French menu. Both menus share the same desserts. A la carte ordering is also possible at the prices shown in the accompanying menu. Linger after your meal for a complimentary vanilla rum or ginger rum - a house specialty. Closed on Wednesdays. Annual closing September and October. Major credit cards accepted. Lunch 12:00 to 3:00, dinner 6:30 to 10:00.

Creole Menu

French Menu

Posted on May 31, 2006 8:25 AM| Permanent Link: La Gloriette| Comments (0)

Gustavia (590 590) 27 72 48

Le Repaire, directly across the street from the harbor in Gustavia, serves French and Creole cuisine. An open-air restaurant with ceiling fans and tropical plants, Le Repaire is a delightful place to have a relaxing meal and watch the activity on the street. A pool table is available in a room adjoining the dining area. Open daily from 7:00 am to midnight. Major credit cards accepted. Non-stop Restaurant Service: Noon - 10:30 P.M.

Posted on May 31, 2006 8:20 AM| Permanent Link: La Repaire| Comments (0)

Amigo, the GSM network from Dauphin Telecom, is now the third cell phone company providing coverage for St Barth, with prices claiming to be as much as 60% less than some of the competition. Amigo also provides coverage in Saint Martin, Saba and Saint Eustatius.

Posted on May 31, 2006 8:03 AM| Permanent Link: Amigo Cell Phone Service| Comments (0)

Recently, a municipal service was created to deal with the issue of water treatment. A primary goal is to examine all drainage systems on the island: when a building is designed and when it is built as well as all systems currently in use in existing homes. The new service will inspect all building permits to ensure that the drainage system conforms to the standards specified in the law passed in France in 1996. This law basically requires pre-treatment of used water and treatment of drains with bacteria that eat organic material before the water steeps into the ground. When the actual building begins, a representative of the municipal service will visit the building sites to ensure that the drainage systems are compliant with the plans put forth in the building permit. Homes built before 1996 are exempt from examination as long as their drainage systems aren’t causing a problem. However, if the house is renovated, new drainage systems must comply. All homes built after 1996 must be examined. Given this large task, examinations will begin with houses near swimming areas and near the protected areas of the marine reserves.

Posted on May 31, 2006 8:03 AM| Permanent Link: Municipal Service for Water Treatment| Comments (0)

As always, things are changing on St. Barth. The Crazy Shop next to Match in St. Jean is closing. Raffia and Les Pieds dans L’Eau in St. Jean have already closed and one larger store is under construction in their place. Just across the street is a new “mini-mall” with space for seven boutiques. The restaurant BBQ in Gustavia is being renovated literally from the ground up. The gym Forma Form in Gustavia is constructing a much larger building (with parking!!) in Lurin. La Boucherie Traditionelle (a butcher shop) with hormone-free meats has opened in St. Jean across from Eden Roc. And, next to the new butcher shop is an organic and natural food store called Epicerie Bio.

Posted on May 31, 2006 7:59 AM| Permanent Link: Retail Openings and Closings| Comments (0)

This year’s Newport-Bermuda Race will include the sailboat Van Ki Pass, whose crew will predominantly consist of St. Barth sailors. The biennial Newport-Bermuda Race sets sail from Newport, Rhode Island, on June 17, marking its 100th anniversary. Van Ki Pass, Creole for Passing Wind, is a 65’ wood/epoxy custom-built race boat that has been chartered by Liza Baldwin, a native of Newport who spent the winter in St. Barth sailing almost daily and becoming a member of the Saint Barth Yacht Club. The sailboat will be captained by Randy West and the 14-person crew will include at least eight St Barth natives and long-time residents. Baldwin will also be a member of the crew. The entire crew will be in Newport two weeks before the start of the race to participate in a weekend sailing regatta and to prepare for the race to Bermuda. West has participated in the Newport-Bermuda Race four times, winning once and coming in second another time. You can be sure that many people from St. Barth will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of this year’s race!

Posted on May 25, 2006 1:10 PM| Permanent Link: St. Barth Crew to Participate in Newport-Bermuda Race| Comments (0)

The fifth annual St Barth Theater Festival opened on May 5, right on the heels of the St Barth Film Festival. The festival is organized by the local nonprofit organization SB Artists, who performed two adaptations by the organization’s artistic director. The remaining three productions presented this year were performed by invited guests – four women, each of whom performed in a work she has written. The festival opened with comedienne Marianne Sergent in Bon Caps, a play dedicated to sailors and the sea – very appropriate timing given the arrival of the Transact Ag2r. Another production, La Vieille Au Bois Dormant presented by Clemence Massart, premiered at the Avignon Off-Festival and is based on old French songs. The final show, Cabaret Metisse, was performed by two actresses from the company Aloe Theatre, which was created in Guadeloupe in 2004. In this show, Magali Solignat and Benedicte Budan gave a humorous portrayal of how the news affects our daily lives. The entire text of this production is taken from real newspaper articles, and a section of the show is created anew each evening.

Posted on May 25, 2006 1:05 PM| Permanent Link: Fifth Annual Theater Festival| Comments (0)

From the St. Kitts/Nevis Sun:

"The island of St. Barths is producing more and more top sailors. In 2005 Markku Harmala led the St. Barths contingent into third place and no doubt believes that gold could be theirs this time. This is a feeling shared by the regatta organizers who suggest that St. Barths are a team to watch."

Posted on May 18, 2006 9:59 AM| Permanent Link: St. Barths sailors in the news| Comments (0)

Time.com has a story up about The Complete Retreat - a sort of militant sounding yoga, health and detox "resort". Looks like they are planning a road show in 2007:

"That could easily serve as the retreat's motto. The matutinal cycle of torment repeats in the afternoon, and every day, a treadmill of yoga and yomps. Jeans herself describes the retreat as "a health boot camp." "The most effective kick start comes from a combination of diet and exercise," she explains. She runs her camp for 12 weeks a year in the Spanish hilltop village of Gaucín in Andalucia. But it's a movable raw-food feast, with two additional weeks planned in Cornwall, England, this year, and in 2007, for the first time, a long-haul retreat on St. Barts in the French West Indies. Accommodation in all locations is plush, and no more than 10 participants are accepted at one time."

Posted on May 17, 2006 6:09 AM| Permanent Link: Coming to St. Barts in 2007| Comments (0)

St. Jean (590 590) 27 63 62

A local favorite and one of the best values on the island, The Hideaway was the winner for the Best Pizza in the 2004 Best of St Barth Awards. Owned by the very amiable Andy Hall, Chez Andy serves a variety of dishes suitable for lunch or dinner. Enjoy an informal, relaxed setting with ceiling fans in the center of St. Jean. In addition to the regular menu, The Hideaway offers a plat du jour at lunchtime for 10 €. Closed on Mondays. Dinner only on Sundays. Major credit cards accepted.
Lunch 12:00 - 2:00
Dinner 7:00 - 10:00

Posted on May 16, 2006 8:18 AM| Permanent Link: The Hideaway, Chez Andy| Comments (0)

St. Jean (590 590) 27 70 67

Terrazza, located in the Hotel Le Village, high on a hill in St. Jean, serves Italian cuisine. This restaurant has a large-screen TV in the bar area and hosts evenings for events such as the Grammy Awards and the NCAA playoffs. The restaurant also provides an Internet café. Open daily for dinner only. Major credit cards are accepted. Dinner from 7:00.

Posted on May 16, 2006 8:05 AM| Permanent Link: Terrazza| Comments (0)

Public (590 590) 27 75 73

Maya's offers traditional French and Creole cuisine. Simple and fresh are the key notes here. Island herbs, hot peppers and fresh lime juice marinate the famous sailor's chicken. Located on edge of the sea, the beautiful sunsets and often-seen celebrities make this a popular spot. While the menu often changes to take advantage of fresh ingredients, below is a typical offering. Open for dinner only. Reservations are highly recommended. Major credit cards accepted. Dinner from 6:30.

Posted on May 16, 2006 5:51 AM| Permanent Link: Maya's| Comments (0)

Digicel is an emerging company that has been spreading across the Caribbean region like volcano dust from Montserrat for the last five years (we have written a lot about them in our Caribbean Telecom News pages). There almost isn't an island that they don't provide cell phone service on. Usually they get a license and start their own network, but they just bought Bouygues Telecom Caraïbe, who provide service on St. Barths as well as Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana.

Here is the press release:

"Digicel Completes Acquisition of Bouygues Telecom Caraïbe

Purchase of French West Indies Mobile Operator Brings Digicel to Milestone of 20 Markets in Five Years

KINGSTON, JAMAICA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 05/02/2006 -- Digicel Group, the fastest growing mobile telecommunications operator throughout the Pan-Caribbean region, announced today it has completed its acquisition of Bouygues Telecom Caraibe, the wholly owned subsidiary of Bouygues Telecom with assets in Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana.

Bouygues Telecom Caraibe, which has over 160,000 subscribers and 2005 revenues of Euro 117 million (US$ 148 million), was purchased by Digicel Group at the price of Euro 155 million (US$ 196 million) after receiving approvals from the government regulator.

Digicel will add three new territories to its existing operations, bringing its total number of operations to a milestone 20 markets since its inception five years ago. With a current staff of approximately 80 people, Digicel looks forward to expanding its existing operations and becoming the leading mobile telecommunications provider in the French West Indies and throughout the Eastern Caribbean.

"We are delighted to welcome the employees and customers of Bouygues Telecom Caraïbe into the Digicel family as we continue our quest to create a seamless pan-Caribbean network," said Denis O'Brien, Chairman and Founder of Digicel Group. "We look forward to providing the residents and visitors of the French West Indian territories with our industry leading service and unmatched customer care."

"As we celebrate our fifth anniversary since our debut launch in Jamaica we are proud to have achieved this milestone of providing top-rate services in twenty nations," added Mr. O'Brien. "Digicel continues to maintain its position as the fastest growing telecommunications company in the Caribbean with a compound annualized growth rate of 69 percent."

In the past 14 months, Digicel has completed four acquisitions including Cingular Wireless' Caribbean and Bermuda operations. This acquisition of Bouygues Telecom Caraibe provides Digicel with an established pre-paid and post-paid customer base and an advanced GSM network in markets that are populated by more than one million people. The three territories have economies centered on the Euro as their functional currency and serve as a destination for international tourists including coverage areas in St. Barths and French St. Martin.

"Digicel is a dynamic company in the Caribbean that is bringing tremendous value to consumers by building a pan-Caribbean network that bridges the technology divide from one country to the next," said Philippe Montagner, Chairman and CEO of Bouygues Telecom. "We are confident that customers, employees and the overall community are in good hands and will benefit from Digicel's presence in the French West Indies."

Digicel plans to increase its subscriber base in the three territories by connecting with consumers and creating positive competition through value offerings and bold marketing. The transition process for Bouygues Telecom Caraïbe customers in the French West Indies is currently being planned as a seamless experience that adds Digicel offerings including the latest handsets, per second billing, prepaid roaming, and Rollover Minutes.

ABOUT DIGICEL

Since its launch in 2001, Digicel has become the fastest growing wireless telecommunications operator in the Caribbean. After five years, Digicel is renowned for competitive rates, unbeatable coverage, superior customer care, a wide variety of products and services, and state-of-the-art handsets. It is the largest GSM operator in the region.

By offering innovative wireless services and community support, Digicel has become a leading brand in the Caribbean and has placed the region at the cutting edge of wireless communications.

Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and has operations in 20 countries including Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, Curaçao, The Cayman Islands, Dominica, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago. Digicel also has coverage in St. Martin and St. Barths and expects further exponential growth.

The company is the lead sponsor of Caribbean sports teams including the West Indies Cricket Team, Special Olympics teams across the Caribbean and is title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Football Union Cup, which involves over 30 Caribbean countries and is an important qualifier towards the CONCACAF Gold Cup."

Posted on May 10, 2006 3:33 PM| Permanent Link: Digicel buys St. Barts cell phone operator| Comments (0)

The New York Times devoted a few pages to St. Barts back in January. I think the article has some good info, but it is a little too cute for my taste in spots, like these:

"you can drive right to the water and don't have to pause to consider your sexual orientation before diving in."

It is nice that though that it is still available on-line - I don't quite understand what the Times policy is about what gets archived and you then have to pay for, and what is not...

Posted on May 9, 2006 12:14 PM| Permanent Link: The Beginner's Guide to St. Barts| Comments (0)

Beautiful Shell Beach is located on the edge of Gustavia and shares the beach with the restaurant Do Brazil. Below the restaurant is a snack bar where you can buy cold drinks, salads and sandwiches. The beach is so-named because of the thousands of olive shells that carpet the sand. Saba and St. Eustatius can be seen in the distance. This is a popular place to watch the sunset and is the site where the burning of Vaval (at the end of Carnival) takes place.

Posted on May 5, 2006 10:54 AM| Permanent Link: Shell Beach| Comments (0)

Gouverneur Beach, on the southern side of the island, was chosen by Forbes as one of its ten picks for the best topless beaches of 2005. Although topless sunbathing is allowed on all the beaches of St. Barts, Gouverneur was chosen for its unsurpassed beauty and views of Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Kitts. In addition to all of this, it’s also one of the most accessible beaches on the island with a good-sized parking lot just steps from the sea.

Posted on May 5, 2006 10:44 AM| Permanent Link: Gouverneur Beach| Comments (1)

The theater festival starts tonight!

Posted on May 5, 2006 10:25 AM| Permanent Link: Theater Festival Schedule| Comments (0)