Bicycling on St Barth

A few weeks ago, Alexandra Härmälä, a St Barth native, and her husband Markku opened Sun Vélo, a bicycle rental company, in collaboration with tour guide Hélène Berneir of Easy Time. Although the hills on the island are daunting, bicycles provide an easy way to discover Gustavia. The current fleet consists of a dozen Trek lightweight hybrid bicycles that are suitable for off-road riding as well as in town exploration. They are offering very flexible rental agreements, from hourly to monthly. Alexandra and Markku have also designed several itineraries at all levels – from easy to difficult – if you’d like to follow one of their trips. While waiting to find a site for their business, you can contact them by phone at 06 90 63 46 09 or 05 90 87 18 56 or by email at alexaber@wanadoo.fr or easytime971@yahoo.fr. They will deliver the bikes to your hotel or villa. Best of all? When you’re exploring Gustavia, you don’t have to worry about finding a parking place!

Enjoy the Last Beach Festivals

August 24 brings the Patron Saint Feast Day, the Festival of St Barthélémy. He’s certainly my favorite saint! Church and official ceremonies will be held as well as regattas, music, dancing and fireworks in Gustavia. A special event this year, hosted by the Ouanalo Association in collaboration with the Collectivity of St Barthélémy, is a contest to vote for “Little Miss and Mister St Barth 2007” for children aged 6 to 9 years.

And last but not least, is the final beach festival: the 44th celebration of the Festival of St Louis in the quaint fishing village of Corossol on Saturday, August 25. The festival kicks off at 6:30 am when the boats depart for the fishing contest of orphies. The day is packed full of events, culminating at 8:30 pm with fireworks followed by music and dancing on “le Pont de la Jeunesse.” Here’s the full schedule. As usual, food and drink will be available during the day and evening.

8:00 am Mass at the base of the rock of Saint-Louis
9:00 am Bélote competition
10:00 am Departure of two regattas: Optimists sailboats and traditional canoes
10:30 am ‘Baby-foot” competition and beach volleyball tournament
11:00 am Various games on the beach
12:30 pm Honorary wine and music; awarding of the prizes for the competitions
2:00 pm Canoe and kayak classes
3:30 pm Various games
6:30 pm Dance exhibition presented by Kim
7:30 pm Raffle drawing. First prize if a 7-day cruise on the Costa cruise line for two people; second prize if a computer and HP printer; third prize if a Samsung digital DVD camcorder; fourth prize is a weed blower; fifth prize is a teak coffee table. Remaining prizes include a vacuum cleaner, DVD player, man’s watch and a portable air compressor. Tickets are 5 €.
8:00 pm Skit portraying the years of yore
8:30 pm Fireworks followed by music and dancing

A Day at the Hotel St Barth Isle de France

Until August 31, you can spend a day of pampered bliss at the Hotel St Barth Isle de France in Flamands for only 95 €. This special offer includes a fruit cocktail, either an appetizer and main dish or a main dish and dessert at the hotel’s restaurant, a discount at the boutique and your choice of the following three treatments at The Spa: a massage, a facial and other face care treatments, or a body polish and surprise gift. The Hotel St Barth Isle de France is a beautiful, posh hotel located directly on the spectacular beach of Flamands. Subscribers to Condé Nast Traveler magazine judged this hotel the #1 hotel in the Caribbean and #16 worldwide based on rooms, service, restaurant and location. Be sure to take advantage of this offering for a memorable experience!

French Gypsy Music at the Carl Gustaf

From July 19 until August 21, the Carl Gustaf Hotel in Gustavia is hosting musician Richard Manetti on Thursday and Fridays evenings at its Sunset Bar, starting at 6:00 pm. Manetti plays jazz manouche, “Gypsy jazz”, and was heavily influenced by guitarist Django Reinhardt, who was popular in the 1930s. Reinhardt combined the dark, chromatic Gypsy flavor with the Swing music that was popular at the time. The combination of Gypsy music with swing is critical to the style of “jazz manouche.” In this style of music, the rhythm guitar is playing using a percussive technique, “la pompe”, that serves to replace drums.
Manetti has been playing the guitar since age 10 and will be accompanied by Christophe Lagane or Natacha Lockwood.

Summer Evenings at Le Ti St-Barth

Le Ti St-Barth, a Caribbean tavern and restaurant located in Pointe Milou, has a different event planned for each day of the week throughout August.

On Mondays, you’re invited to the Marrakech Party with belly dancers, shopping at “Ti Souk”, and fresh mint tea. Couscous Royal is served for dinner along with traditional accompaniments for 59 €. The theme every Tuesday is “Night Fever.” Dress code is “wigs and colors.” Wednesday nights go a little retro with the “Plastic Boots Party” mixed by Carole, the owner. The dress code, of course, is plastic boots. Thursday is “Angel Night” when everyone is asked to wear white. “The Crazy Nights” take place on Friday and Saturday. It is almost certain that you’ll see people dancing on the tables and…well, you’ll just have to find out for yourself!

Reservations are recommended: 05 90 27 97 71 or info@ksplaces.com. Closed on Sundays.