2017 year in review – St Maarten
By Sonja van der Drift
To all my Family, Clients, Friends Google+, Twitter, Blog and Facebook followers.
A heartfelt wish from all of us at BlueOceanVilas to you ……. I want to extend my sincere Xmas and New Year wish to you and your family, may you be blessed with great health, prosperity, peace and may all your wishes come true.
The year 2017 started really good, with lots of visitors going to the sunny Island of St Maarten and St Martin.
Unfortunately, Hurricane Irma on September 5 changed the island completely and forever and left The Friendly Island in devastation. The island and its Islanders are resilient and rebuilding their beloved Island to its full glory, but it will take sweat, effort, time, sacrifice and a lot of money. The process of rebuilding beautiful St Maarten/St Martin is in full swing. The first cruise ship arrived in Philipsburg last week and more and more restaurants are opening now. The grocery stores are well stocked again and the beaches are have come back beautifully. St Maarten and St Martin have received financial aids from The Netherlands, France, Red Cross, EU, GoFund initiatives, US donations and unknown donators in support of rebuilding SXM.
Damage caused by Hurricane Irma
As for me personally, I was very pleased with the outcome of my “GoFundMe” fundraising I organized for the maids and gardeners working at the villa rental properties. Once again, I would like to thank you for your generous donations. It made a huge different to them and they were so very grateful for your support and we greatly appreciate your kind thoughts and prayers for the island and it’s friendly people.
The rental villa market is at this point a little uncertain, a lot of repair work is going on and slightly, but surely villas are returning to the rental market. We will keep you posted via blogs, twitter, Google+ and Facebook.
Baie Lounge Beach, St Maarten
I hope that you continue to bring your support and adoration to the island. Looking forward to seeing you back on the Island again in 2018. Till we meet one day somewhere on The Friendly Island of St Maarten !
Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year !
To all St Maarteners, stay strong as I know you will and are ….. You are in my thoughts.
With Love,
Sonja
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