Crazy Shop/Crazy Photo, in the La Savanne shopping center in St Jean, has announced that they are closing as of August 30.

Marine Services has closed its West Indies Dive operation as of July 22 due to loss of profits and competition from newer and larger boats. They are still open for boat rentals, charter trips and snorkeling.

Au Port, the restaurant in Gustavia across from La Poste and above the bakery, has operated on the island for 30 years. Olivier Ebner, who purchased the restaurant from its original owners a couple of years ago, closed the restaurant on June 21 due to the economic situation and returned to his native France. We can only hope that he'll return next year to reopen this island tradition.

As of August 4, Les Bananiers restaurant in Colombier is no longer open for lunch. The restaurant is open every evening for dinner, except for Sundays, at 6:00 pm.

Posted on August 28, 2008 6:54 AM| Permanent Link: Bits and Pieces| Comments (0)

November 16-23, 2008
Swedish Week

December 14-18, 2008
Transact Classique Lagassé

Posted on August 28, 2008 6:53 AM| Permanent Link: On the Horizon| Comments (0)

Word is floating around that St Barth will begin charging a 20-euro departure fee to help pay for the new x-ray screening machine they are installing at the airport.

Winair is allowing you to check one suitcase at no charge but has begun charging $25 for each additional checked suitcase. The weight limit is 44 lbs.

Delta has announced that they will be adding a second Saturday flight to St Maarten starting on December 20 from Atlanta, with connections from most cities in the Delta network.

Posted on August 28, 2008 6:51 AM| Permanent Link: Airport Rumors and Airline Updates| Comments (0)

Take advantage of the remaining two summer festivals before the very quiet month of September arrives!

St Barthélemy Day, Sunday, August 24 -- Gustavia

6:00 am
Bell ringing and decorating of boats in the harbor

8:00 am
Sailors' mass followed by a procession and blessing of the sea

10:00 am
Start of regattas with the Saint-Barth Yacht Club

10:30 am
Laying of wreath at the war memorial followed by a champagne toast at the Hôtel de la Collectivité

9:00 pm
Fireworks followed by dancing at the quay with live music and drinks

Saint-Louis Day, Monday, August 25 -- Corossol

6:00 am
Start of fishing competition

8:00 am
Mass at the rock of St Louis

9:30 am
Tournaments of bélote, soccer, beach volleyball (sign-up at 8:30 am)

10:00 am
Start of regattas (sign up at the Saint-Barth Yacht Club)

10:30 am
Games for children: fishing, ball games, ring toss

12:30 pm
Champagne toast offered by the Collectivité and ALC. Punch and music with prizes for various activities

2:00 pm
Canoe and kayak races

3:30 pm
Various games: line fishing, surprise envelopes, games for kids and adults

5:30 pm
Awards ceremony

6:30 pm
Dance performance with dancers from ALC

8:00 pm
Rendez-vous Saint Louis

9:00 pm
Fireworks followed by dancing on the "Youth Bridge" and live music

Posted on August 21, 2008 3:16 AM| Permanent Link: Upcoming Summer Festivals| Comments (0)

Papaguyo (in the photo below) is an American musician who spends most of his time on St Barth, fitting seamlessly into the culture there. He is a percussionist who can turn ANYTHING into a percussive instrument. A long-time favorite on the island, he has had many famous vacationing guest musicians play with him, including Jimmy Buffet. During the remainder of August, he'll be presenting shows at different locations around the island. Also, his new CD IslandFunk with Swang and DJ Yuri is now on sale. For good music and a good time, check him out. The remaining shows are listed below:

Thursday, August 21
Hotel Guanahani, Grand Cul de Sac
7:00 pm

Friday, August 22
La Mandala, Gustavia
8:00 pm

Saturday, August 23
Caviar Island, Gustavia
7:30 pm

Sunday, August 24
Do Brazil, Shell Beach, Gustavia
1:00 pm (lunch)

Sunday, August 24
The Strand, Gustavia
8:00 pm

Posted on August 21, 2008 3:09 AM| Permanent Link: Papaguyo Is in Full Force| Comments (0)

The new Italian restaurant L'Isola recently opened on Rue Oscar II in Gustavia where O'Corner used to be. The new owner also operates restaurants in the Los Angeles area. The restaurant is offering salads; soups; antipasti such as prosciutto and melon, carpaccio and fritto misto; risottos, pastas, meat and fish dishes. Menu items range from 20 to 36 euros. Their web site is www.lisolastbarth.com; however, it is under construction at the moment.

Posted on August 21, 2008 3:04 AM| Permanent Link: New Restaurant L'Isola Opens| Comments (0)

Sorry for the light posting the last month - we were on holidays and visiting family. Our travels took us to the US, the UK, France, and Italy but we are back in the office now and will be updating regularly again. We just posted lots of new stuff and more is coming very soon. If you like the blog (or don't!) please tell a friend or leave us some comments - it is always great to get some feedback.

Posted on August 20, 2008 5:08 PM| Permanent Link: We're back!| Comments (0)

Fun Sea'Stem is offering a summer special on a half-day rental for up to six passengers on its Sun Odyssey 42 DS Sea Flower. This rate includes skipper, fuel and an open bar and is good from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The French captain grew up in St Barth and was manager of the Saint Barth Yacht Club for three years. He has sailed all around the Caribbean and taught windsurfing and sailing. For more details and contact information, visit www.funseastem.com.

Posted on August 20, 2008 5:06 PM| Permanent Link: Summer Rates on Sailboat Rental| Comments (0)

Upcoming festivals and events:

• 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 14-18, 2008 Transact Classique Lagasse

Posted on August 20, 2008 5:03 PM| Permanent Link: On the Horizon| Comments (0)

Tidbits from around the island:

• The program 21 Most Sexy Beaches, shown recently on the Travel channel, reported St Jean Beach as #8 in the world! It's always been one of my favorites!

• O'Corner, the restaurant in Gustavia, recently announced that it would soon be closing. Now, rumors have it that it will open soon with an Italian menu and a new owner who also has restaurants in the Los Angeles area.

• Another rumor has it that the Tropical Hotel has been purchased by the new owners of the Hotel Niilaaia, which is being built on the former site of the St Barth Beach Hotel in Grand Cul de Sac.

• A new currency exchange business, Change Point, has opened in Gustavia below the Sunset Hotel. They are open Monday through Saturday from 7:45 am to 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Can St Barth really support two currency exchange businesses just down the street from one another?

• Visit www.saintbarthkite.com for information on kite-surfing lessons in Grand Cul de Sac.

Posted on August 20, 2008 5:00 PM| Permanent Link: Bits and Pieces| Comments (0)

From July 22 until September 26, the road between the tennis courts in St Jean and the municipal pool will be closed to traffic as they are (finally!) paving this section of the road.

Beginning in September, the road down to beautiful Gouverneur Beach will be completely redone! They have already completed the first portion, but after that, hang on to your seats! Potholes and broken road abound. This will be a welcome relief to everyone as this is one of the most spectacular and accessible beaches on the island.

Posted on August 20, 2008 5:00 PM| Permanent Link: Good News on Upcoming Road Work| Comments (0)

About one year ago, the St Barth Beach Hotel in Grand Cul de Sac was sold and razed to make room for the Niilaaia Hotel Resort & Spa. Recent news is that construction will start soon. Niilaaia is a Sanskrit word that means "bearing the color of blue." The hotel will include 46 beachfront rooms, six fully furnished "townhouse style" duplex suites that can be purchased and three villas that can also be purchased. For more information, visit www.niilaaia.com.

Posted on August 20, 2008 4:54 PM| Permanent Link: Niilaaia Hotel Resort & Spa| Comments (0)