This post is the tenth in a series of posts I am writing about my first post-Irma trip to Saint Martin. Here is a link to the other posts in the series. All of them include video I filmed of the island.
December 29, 2017 – As you can tell from the videos I’ve filmed and posted on SXM Strong during my recent trip to Saint Martin, things are really looking great around the island. Of course, there are still noticeable signs of Hurricane Irma, but it was a monster storm so that is to be expected.
Speaking of Irma, and something you may be interested in, Discover Magazine recently published an incredible book of professional photography that shows stark images of the devastation caused by Irma. They did a really nice job, so you’ll want to check it out. SXM Strong is offering the books at a $15 savings if you order through this link.
And, of course, all proceeds raised through SXM Strong will be used to support efforts to assist and promote Saint Martin as they rebuild.
As I drove around the island I couldn’t help but notice the utter beauty of Saint Martin was still there as much as ever. In some places, like Orient Beach, it was as if nature simply stripped things back down to their raw state, exposing what had been blocked by buildings and progress.
Of course, that wasn’t something I expected to see, or feel, as I ventured out. And as we approached the Cupecoy area we were once again reminded of the power of Irma. Driving up to AUC, there was one building in particular that did not fare well and was in the midst of being torn down. It’s a fate that will befall many buildings around the island.
The American University of Caribbean School of Medicine looked great, as if it knew nothing of the storm. That same held true for the little strip of shops just north of the school. As we circled back we went through Maho, pulling up first to where Bamboo Bernie’s used to be. The whole area had significant damage but there was a lot of work being done as we passed by.
We drove past Cheri’s Cafe, a place that may not be reopening according to the Daily Herald, to the right you could see recently reopened 3 Amigo’s, and the Sonesta hotel, which will most likely need to be torn down and rebuilt from the ground up.
Rounding the corner we finally come upon Maho Beach, a big favorite of tourists world-wide. We pulled past Maho and then stopped to get video from inside Sunset Beach Bar. The following day I made it back to film video of Driftwood Boat Bar. Both places look great and are completely reopen and operating at full scale.
Below are a couple videos that show all the areas mentioned above.
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