In spite of rumors which were flying around here faster than fur in a cat fight, the new year seems to have arrived in Saint Barth without too much fuss. 
If you could believe everything you heard, we'd have seen US aircraft carriers decked out as floating hospitals in the harbor ready to treat visiting Americans in case of terrorist attacks on New Year's Eve, and there were as many as 50 agents from the CIA or FBI, depending on which island telegraph you were getting your news from.
Former US president Gerald Ford was indeed here (not just a rumor) but his casual barefoot attire on the dock in Gustavia certainly did not indicate any official fears of terrorists hiding out under the glamorous Ultima III yacht where he was a guest. In fact things were downright calm as midnight approached, and except for one poor pilot who missed the runway, and whose plane is still sitting in the bushes at the airport, things were pretty quiet. To ring in the year 2000, Gustavia had been blocked off to cars and the crowds seemed a little smaller than usual. The traffic wasn't too bad either considering that the high road out of town is still out of commission. More than 30 of the fabulous sailboats in the harbor had been on an outing earlier in the day with high winds ripping apart their spinakers as they competed in the annual New Year's Eve Regatta. Some of the larger yachts, such as Jamacia Bay and Golden Cell, hosted parties for hundreds of people, giving the local economy a good shot in the arm as loads of food and flowers were loaded aboard for the occasion.
Oddly enough, the local firefighters staged a 24-hour strike (although they never abandoned their post at the firehouse and all emergencies were properly dealt with). Their complaints include under-staffing and a shortage of uniforms. Maybe some of the local businessmen who are busy raising money to shovel the sand back on to the hurricane-ravaged beaches (most of which look pretty good already thanks to the tenaciousness of Mother Nature) will have a few dollars left over to buy our poor firefighters some extra socks and underwear. Seriously, they are in need of additional equipment and personnel in order to ensure the security of the island's growing population. In the same vein, plans for an addition to the island's small hospital include a Franco-American-St Barth committee to help in selecting new equipment and improving the emergency treatment at the facility.
For most of us on the island, its just back to business-as-usual with final plans underway for the annual St. Barth Music Festival (the biggest one to date) with 15 concerts in three weeks, from mid-month through early February, and the Rotary Club busy lining up donations for its fund-raising auction on February 19th. In any case, Y2K is officially here without anybody being bitten too badly by that mysterious bug.
More to come,
Beyonce and Jay-Z have taken their daughter on her first vacation. The couple, who celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary last week, have been enjoying the sunshine on the Caribbean island of St. Barts with three-month-old Blue Ivy over the weekend, and took the tot for a day trip on a yacht.
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Kick-off Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2012 Caribbean regatta in the magical French West Indies sailing paradise!
Today the prestigious and top-class Caribbean sailing regatta Les Voiles de St. Barth 2012 with Gaastra Sportswear as the official partner starts: At the third edition run...
Inside the Bucket.
This video features the 2012 St Barths Bucket Regatta and music by the Evan Goodrow Band. Special thanks to the entire crew of the Rebecca, Baz Bar, St Barths Online and the guys from the Evan Goodrow Band for putting on a fantastic show. The song from the Evan Goodrow Band is c...
On board with Rebecca.
The best event in St Barths took place on March 24 - 27, 2012. This video features the beautiful 141 ft sailing yacht, The Rebecca.
produced by Real Media Travel for St. Barths Online and Baz Bar St Barth.
The age old saying of "I need a holiday to get over my holiday" actually seems applicable if you happen to be Paul McCartney.
The Beatle took wife Nancy Shevell on a romantic break to the Caribbean island of St Barts, just days after the pair visited Paris.
Last week, the lovebirds showed support ...
On the day their pregnancy news was announced, Thor star Chris Hemsworth, 28, and Elsa Pataky, 35, were seen in sunny St. Barts, France on Wednesday (January 18). The Fast Five actress looked lovely in blue, sporting her beautiful baby bump.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky
Chris and Elsa - w...
She might be 44, but Tamara Mellon still boasts a figure that women half her age would be proud of.
The Jimmy Choo co-founder showed off her toned figure in a sexy animal-print bikini as she hit the beach with her daughter in St Barts yesterday.
The skimpy string two-piece highlighted Tamara's env...
With almost every other celebrity couple enjoying the New Year in exotic locations, Gary and Danielle Lineker weren't going to be any different.
The married couple were spotted enjoying a romantic walk along a beach in St Barts today - and looked very much in love.
Gary, 51 and his wife, 32, had o...
Which beaches to choose?
The glamorous island of St Barts is one of the Caribbean's top beach destinations. Ringing the island are immaculate strips of sand and ethereal turquoise waters. The shallow reefs that encircle the island help to protect these renowned beaches, and they also provide excell...
St. Barts, Why Not?
Since the wealthy and celebrated frequently visit St. Barts for a tropical vacation, you will find that many plush St. Barts Resorts can be found on this stunning island. For those taking St. Barts holidays, it is simple to find hotels with each luxury available. Frequently thes...
Vacation With the Rich and Famous at St. Barts.
Want to bump into celebrities and be seen hanging out where the rich and famous play? Then the Caribbean island of St. Barts is the place to be.
While warm sand and blue waters do make an ideal vacation location, this destination has that and a whol...
Where to go for one day in Caribbean?
St. Maarten / St. Martin
The half-Dutch, half-French island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, with its many restaurants and hotels, makes a great base for an island-hopping adventure. Graced by the nickname Unspoiled Queen, tiny little Saba is not the kind of Caribbe...
Villa La Plage in St Barts.
The posh French resort isle of St. Barth's was already a prize destination when Roman Abramovich purchased an estate there for $89 million in 2009; since the oligarch arrived it has become even more so.
Now Christie's International Real Estate has listed another impres...
Baywatch in St Barts.
Making it official after five years of engagement, Brooke Burke and beau David Charvet have reportedly tied the knot while yachting in St. Barts.
According to Life & Style, the "Dancing with the Stars" host and the former "Baywatch" hunk, who have been vacationing in the...
St. Barth Summer Sessions Aug. 5-15, 2011
St Barth Summer Sessions 2011 this year will have a focus on artists from Brazil. The festival will take place at a variety of different venues all over the island, and in the end of the festival there will be a big common concert in the Harbor of Gustavia ...
The Eclipse, no ordinary yacht.
It probably hasn't escaped your attention that, with modern methods of transport, measuring and telecommunication, no "terra incognita" is safe from the crazed enthusiasm of certain explorers of scientists. Everything has already been discovered and minutely placed o...
Ashley Rodriguez Trio
Ashley Rodriguez, one of the famous finalist from the American Idol 2010 is back in St Barth between May 5-15. Ashley was participating last summer for the St Barth Summer Session in august 2010 at La Plage and she will now come with her 'All Girls Band', Liz on the guitar ...
The La Plage restaurant introduce :
ST BARTH SUMMER SESSIONS
« 5 to 15 august 2010, 10 days of crazy music ! »
Festival program
La Plage St Jean Tel: 0590 52 81 33 Email: tombeach@wanadoo.fr Site: www.stbarthsummersessions.com
THE GREAT FISH DEBATE There seems to be a bone of contention among a few of my friends. Fine folks who love some of the finer things in life, such as Dover Sole That flat fish floating in butter and capers. Known in French as Sole Meunière, it is made from what is called in European fisherman ver...
