Gustavia, St. Barth (Saint Barthelemy)
Day 4, Tuesday, December 1, 2015
St. Barthelemy is a tiny French island in the Caribbean. All prices are in Euros and the language is French. Here we are on the tender ride from the Celebrity Constellation:
We strode along the main street lined with shops, which are mostly expensive boutiques. However, you can pick up souvenirs for a decent price. Check out the supermarket. Here’s where you can buy coffee, cookies, candy, and more for gifts. This is along the main street off the tender pier and toward the right. There is a drugstore to the left side of the dock, but their items are pricey. Fancy toiletries are available if you’re willing to pay the price.
Red sloped roofs abound on attractive housing scattered up the hillsides. Streets are narrow and very steep.
Strolling toward the right, we passed a harbor with boats and an open-air restaurant. We’d hoped to walk to Shell Beach, but it was too far and too hilly. Along the way, we passed some old churches. The scenery is charming with lovely views of the water.
For lunch, we chose a restaurant called Le Repaire across the street from the pier and toward the right. My husband and I shared a plate of grilled mahi mahi with rice and vegetables for $24 Euros. I had a Planter’s Punch that packed a punch for 10 Euros. The total cost came to 41 Euros, which included one liter of bottled water for 7 Euros. This comes out to more in U.S. dollars. Despite the cost, my cousin Janice and I sure enjoyed our drinks!
My conclusion? Attractive, upscale island but too limited for sightseeing tours and shopping opportunities. It would not be on my must-revisit list.
Back on the ship, we relaxed for the rest of the day. For dinner in the ship’s dining room that night, I selected shrimp cocktail, Caprese salad, and Braised Lamb.
Coming Next: St. Maarten
Going in February. Now I’m totally psyched!
Going to this island? How cool. Bring your walking shoes. And check out the supermarket for interesting items.
I agree with your assessment, I’m guessing you liked St. Martin better?
St. Martin/St. Maarten has a lot more to do. It’s a bigger island with many tours to choose from, or you can just spend the day in Philipsburg. And the shopping is akin to St. Thomas.
Agree St Martin is one of my favorites. It’s a lot more affordable than St. Bart’s too.