Bad hair day...

People who know me, know that I am not "big" on developements... I am not totally against some type of developements, but I am against "over-developement" as, in my opinion it infringe Nature's rights, and at the end will hurt the already fragile economy of an island like this one... And over-developement is unfortunatly what we are witnessing everyday here in St Martin ! Not so much on the French side though, I thought, where at least we can admire some green on the hills, some still undevelopped beaches, and where some area are classified and protected like the "reserve naturelle" (natural reserve). But I learned that even in the French side anything can happen including in the Natural reserve...

Since years, I was used to wake up to this

It is part of the Natural Reserve in Oyster Pond...
I was use to just walk down my steps and walk along the ocean with our dogs, play with them on the sand and water of Coralita Beach, and used to enjoy this little piece of tranquility and natural beauty...

But this is "history", as since few days, I am waking up to THAT :

Yes... you are understanding !!!... It is a new developement right on the Natural Reserve...

Close to hundred individual Condominium/Town houses are being built, plus a "Four" stars (yes I really said "Four"stars) Hotel (but no one knows exactly which chain will operate it yet... LOL), a "high-end" Thalasso-therapy center, etc, etc... Many people try to opose the developement of this area since years, but like everywhere else, they failed...
Yes i am upset ! I am upset because it is Natural Reserve and it shouldn't be developped. Specially so close from the water, as we know, at least the ones who went through, what Luis in September 1995, did to that particular piece of land...
I am upset because no more walk along the oceans with Caramel and Picolla, without being yelled at because I am trespassing on construction site! There is no more access to the water right now, and the only way is still to cut through the field. It is difficult to loose an habit, specially when this habit was a good one...
One hurricane like Luis, and we will have again some pile of ruins disfiguring one of the most beautifull part of our sweet St Martin. Ahhh ...!!! $$$$$ ... What people wouldn't do for you !!!!