St Barts 11-06-09

[ScarletB]

Travellex has prepaid cash cards which seened like a great idea except residents of VT can't BUY THEM because of some sort of restrictions.

Figures

[MacPhin]

Carol..yes I get charged an exchange fee at the shops, that's why I usally pay in cash....I order euos online (travelex) and avoid this...

FEES FEES FEES. i HATE banks.

sorry,you know what i mean....those policy makers

[MacPhin]

Ron, I read in my SBP villa guide that the cash machine only lets you take out small amounts of cash. do you recall what the limit is??

this was sooooo much easier years ago. no fees, atm cards all the time, excellent exchange rate.
UGH!!

[ScarletB]

Ron, I read in my SBP villa guide that the cash machine only lets you take out small amounts of cash. do you recall what the limit is??

this was sooooo much easier years ago. no fees, atm cards all the time, excellent exchange rate.
UGH!!

I looked at Travellex and it would cost me $1500 to get $950
ugh.

[parothdlar]

I just looked too $1000.00 = 632.09 euros YUCK !!!!!!!!! Hope the $$$$$ increases before we get there !!!!!!

[ScarletB]

I just looked too $1000.00 = 632.09 euros YUCK !!!!!!!!! Hope the $$$$$ increases before we get there !!!!!!

I have one question......

"Who's gonna steal the peanut butter?"

[Bahston]

Ron, I read in my SBP villa guide that the cash machine only lets you take out small amounts of cash. do you recall what the limit is??

this was sooooo much easier years ago. no fees, atm cards all the time, excellent exchange rate.
UGH!!

The limit is whatever your daily withdrawal limit is in the US, converted to €, rounded down to the closest €20 (unless the ATM happens to have €10 banknotes, or only has €50's). Say your limit is 500. Right now, $500 = €343, so your withdrawal limit would be €340, perhaps only €320 - I'm not sure when the 1% Visa fee is counted, or your bank's fees. I used to call my bank and bump my daily withdrawal limit before I left home, and drop it when I return. A few trips ago I didn't bother dropping it back.

[Bahston]

I have one question......

"Who's gonna steal the peanut butter?"

Yes, there is a Mini-Mart on the island, located in Lorient. Hours are Monday thru Saturday 7-12 and 2-7 closed Sundays. The local shopkeeper will likely have less of a sense of humor than the Gendarmes. Hope for the Gendarmes...

[GEED181]

Carol....Bahston is correct on the withdrawal limits....all the shops and restaurants will give you your bill in euros and dollars..so that's why I load up on 100 dollar bills from home and don't have to worry about the fees....but you will burn through that stack pretty quick...so take TWO stacks !! (or three) It is what it is. Maps were mailed out on Saturday....hope it helps..And remember the Match-buy lots of small items with a $100-is usually the best way to keep euros in your pocket.

[Bahston]

One reason that I use the ATM and get € is that there is a wide variance in the exchange rates used by restaurants when they calculate the exchange rate to put both a € and a $ price on your check. I pay in whichever currency is most advantageous to me, and use MC or Visa (in €) if I'm short of cash. It helps that I'm used to doing exchange rate conversions.

[GEED181]

1.46 this morning...headed in the right direction.......

[ScarletB]

I have one question......

"Who's gonna steal the peanut butter?"

Yes, there is a Mini-Mart on the island, located in Lorient. Hours are Monday thru Saturday 7-12 and 2-7 closed Sundays. The local shopkeeper will likely have less of a sense of humor than the Gendarmes. Hope for the Gendarmes...

No worries, I wasn't planning on stealing anything, just a comment on the cost of everything.
While prices are inflated on Nantucket at least I don't have to deal with the exchange rate as well.

[Bahston]

I wasn't really worried The Mini-Mart does present a photo-op though. If you're travelling through Lorient with the water to your left, Mini-Mart is on the right.

[MacPhin]

doesn anyone know how much Casurina charges for the weekely rental of beach chairs??

one piece of info that i just got from Kathy at St. Bath Properties is that her Captiol One credit card doesn't charge her exhange fees. I'll have to call and find out about our account.

[Ambition At Bay]

Speaking of Mini Marts AND you all are in the neighborhood, hop over to Saba, very "mini" Marts....





...parking was interesting as well

[kzooparrothead]

Is anyone staying @ MAnapany? My wife and I are trying to figure out how to get back after the show. The hotel said they could get us a cab to Gustzavia, but finding the cab after may pose a problem.

[Ambition At Bay]

Is anyone staying @ MAnapany? My wife and I are trying to figure out how to get back after the show. The hotel said they could get us a cab to Gustzavia, but finding the cab after may pose a problem.

If you end up with no ride, no worries, I walked from downtown to there one night (long story), it was about three miles or so, piece of cake, although it is hilly, it was a beautiful night, almost a full moon, awesome!!!!...and a good walk sobers ya right up! Forgot, don't get your behind too far out in the road, it'll get run over

[Summerlover]

.I have a detailed map of Gustavia and have marked the points of interest for the weekend if anyone needs it I will be happy to mail it to them....You guys are lucky that your spending a few weeks there, I can only make the 4 days work this time...

Don, got the map today. It is awesome. Thanks so much. Have a much better idea of Gustavia.... even though I have Google Earth. Love the points of interest.

[ScarletB]

doesn anyone know how much Casurina charges for the weekely rental of beach chairs??

one piece of info that i just got from Kathy at St. Bath Properties is that her Captiol One credit card doesn't charge her exhange fees. I'll have to call and find out about our account.

Let me know what they say to you - that's one of my cards. I'll make sure I don't owe them anything when I leave!

[MacPhin]

.I have a detailed map of Gustavia and have marked the points of interest for the weekend if anyone needs it I will be happy to mail it to them....You guys are lucky that your spending a few weeks there, I can only make the 4 days work this time...

Don, got the map today. It is awesome. Thanks so much. Have a much better idea of Gustavia.... even though I have Google Earth. Love the points of interest.

hummmm, i didn't get mine yet. i wonder if it went to my home or work.??? oh, Ron...