Catalina Sunshine: ST. BARTHHLEMY

0930 hours March 26, 2015, Gustavia, St. Barth: Hertz delivered a rental car to us at the Ferry Dock along the quay wall. This was the first Island we had driven on in the last four months were we were driving on the right side of the road, including St Thomas in the USVI where they drive on the left.

The strong influence of Caribbean styled architecture seen in Gustavia is less on the rest of the Island with the exception of the cove Anse a Galets on north side of the island, west of the airport. The rest of the architectural styling is mixed, but includes several modern, and mixed modern styled homes with traditional elements and accents. Although there are many very expensive homes on St. Barth the short air field will only accommodate prop planes. Most flying to St. Barth have change planes in St. Martin, Antigua or St. Kitts.

Baie de Saint Jean, at the east end of the airfield hosts two of the three most known exclusive resorts on St. Barth, Nikki Beach and Eden Rock. Nikki Beach on St. Barth is one of several international locations for Nikki Beach, beach clubs combining elements of entertainment, dining, music ,fashion, film and art into one. The London Observer called Nikki Beach, the "Sexiest Place on Earth". I am not sure I would go that far, but certainly a fashionable and fun place to be. The music and audience the day we were their could be heard all along the sand on the beautiful Saint Jean beach.

The Eden Rock Resort, combines: a restaurant, On The Rocks, on top of a large rock outcropping extending into the middle of the bay; a beach restaurant, The Sand Bar; hotel suites, Villas on the Rock; and the remainder of the Resort, The Eden Rock. The the atmosphere was fashionable and the architecture and decoration, eclectic. With the world famous Chef Jean-Georges the food at both restaurant have top reviews. The architecture of each of the Villas has been uniquely designed to fit its location on The Rock. The day we were their a photographer was engaged in photographing models with parts of this charming Resort as backdrop.

East of Saint Jean Beach is Point Milou with the Christopher Hotel, Villas and Spa. Unlike Nikki Beach, and Eden Rock who work to be at the center of where it is happening, the Christopher takes pride in seclusion and privacy. The Resort is at the end of a narrow road that winds down a steep hillside with elegant homes overlooking the the Resort and ocean. The Resort has two restaurants on each side of a pool and deck area, Mango Plage, and Taino. As it was now approaching 1300 hours we decided to have lunch on the sand at the Mango Plage. Jackie, wearing the colorful "necklace" we bought her on St. John's, was welcome in this most exclusive resort! The lunch was superb.