Odyssey Caribbean Itinerary Change

[marazul]

FYI - There have been riots in both Guadeloupe and Martinique protesting the mandatory vaccination policies.  This has been going on since early November.

 

Here is an article from Le Monde.  I have not seen these reports in any English-speaking media.

https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2021/11/30/crise-aux-antilles-situation-toujours-tendue-a-la-guadeloupe-des-discussions-avec-le-ministre-des-outre-mer-a-la-martinique_6104209_3224.html

Edited December 2, 2021 by marazul

[rkacruiser]

4 hours ago, Navis said:

The falls

 

on Dominica:  I assume this is Emerald Falls.  It is a scenic walk through their rain forest to get to/from the Falls.  But, it is not an easy one.  Maybe the government has improved the trail since I visited there, but I found it challenging and a potential ankle twister when I did it.  

[commodoredave]

On 12/2/2021 at 11:43 AM, marazul said:

FYI - There have been riots in both Guadeloupe and Martinique protesting the mandatory vaccination policies.  This has been going on since early November.

 

Here is an article from Le Monde.  I have not seen these reports in any English-speaking media.

https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2021/11/30/crise-aux-antilles-situation-toujours-tendue-a-la-guadeloupe-des-discussions-avec-le-ministre-des-outre-mer-a-la-martinique_6104209_3224.html

There have also been protests and demonstrations on the French side of St. Martin. We were going to stay on there after our cruise ended in Philipsburg, but are now thinking a land stay might be better on the Dutch side. Any views out there?

Edited December 4, 2021 by commodoredave

[marazul]

20 hours ago, commodoredave said:

There have also been protests and demonstrations on the French side of St. Martin. We were going to stay on there after our cruise ended in Philipsburg, but are now thinking a land stay might be better on the Dutch side. Any views out there?

The protests continue on the French side.  Here is an article from The Daily Herald and several articles from France-Info:

https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/sandy-ground-baie-nettle-under-siege-as-gendarmes-battle-rioters

https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/guadeloupe/saint-martin

 

The riots seem to be in the West area comprising Nettle Bay, Sandy Ground, Marigot and Grand Case. Also in the Quartier d'Orleans in the East side which is on the way to Orient Bay.  No news of problems in the Terres Basses area.  So, it is probably ok if you were planning to stay in La Samanna, just on the other side of the Dutch area and away from Nettle Bay.  I would not stay anywhere else in the French side at this time.  

 

Then again, all the riots may be over by the time you go.  So, have a backup reservation on the Dutch side just in case, but hope this mess will be over by then.

 

We used to stay in French St Martin a lot years ago, but stopped going there because of the lack of infrastructure updates after several hurricanes struck the island and the rise in crime.  We haven't kept much track of what was going on there since then.  It is a beautiful island and I hope its troubles are over soon.

Edited December 5, 2021 by marazul