For those in search of an active and glittering night life, the choices in St. Barths are few.
There is no real movie house, but on most Saturday nights, local folk assemble at the A.J.O.E. tennis court in Lorient to watch a recent movie, usually dubbed in French, that is projected on a huge painted concrete wall. Serve yourself chairs, and a stand for popcorn.
Video cassettes and DVDs can be rented at a number of locations for movies at home; many hotels and villas offer english speaking satellite television programs.
Sailors and locals gather most evenings for tall stories and beer at Le Select, a favored hangout in Gustavia. Sometimes there is live music.
Most of the year, puffy white clouds parade through a clear blue sky, and warm balmy breezes gently ruffle hair and sway palm fronds: T-shirt, shorts and sandals kind of weather, interrupted now and then by a tropical shower.
One of the characteristics of tropical flora is the diversity of species.
Despite its small surface area, its dry tropical climate, the periods of dryness which can extend into drought, its arid and volcanic soil, even St. Barthelemy adheres to this general rule.
A study on the natural vegetation of the island conducted in 1994 yielded an inventory of hundreds of wild species, confirming the richness and diversity of the local flora.
Environmental factors (topography, soil composition, wind and salt air) determine the distribution of the wild indigenous species as well as those species that were naturalized and have adapted to local climatic conditions and aridity (xerothrypes plants).
The topography of the island is very diverse. The floral landscape varies according to where you are: by the seashore, around the ponds, on the rocky hills, in the valleys or on the limestone rock formations. The succulent plants and cacti are present throughout the island. There are no luxurious tropical forests in St. Barth, but rather wooded areas with a forest-like profile.
Just eight square miles in size, this little French West Indies island lies just east of St. Martin.
St. Barts is a destination for the rich and famous, this island is never crowded. Lovely coves, pristine beaches make Saint-Barthélemy the choice of many looking for French sophistication in the Caribbean. Exclusive villas abound as do expensive hotels and restaurants.
The quaint harbour town of Gustavia (the name a throwback to Sweden's only Caribbean colony - in the 18th century) is well worth a visit to experience it's uniquely French ambience. Restaurants and shops are especially Gallic in nature.
St. Barts has magnificent beaches, some 32 golden sandy of them. Recommended is Colombier Beach which can only be reached on foot. The 40 minute trek gives you great views of the island.
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