| When Palm Island story began? |
In 1966. See History chapter |
| How was the island then? | An impenetrable bushy swamp infected with mosquitoes |
| Why Palm airport closed many years ago? | The airport closed in 1974 when Union Island airport opened |
| Why all these 20 private houses in Palm? |
Subleasing lots of land had been for many years the only way for John Caldwel to
get some cash to build the resort. Holiday houses (barely occupied one month a
year) have been built on them.
There is actually no more land for sale. |
| Who owns the island? | Palm Island is still leased to St Vincent government, and is operated by Rob Barrett, Antiguan hotelier of American birth. |
| Why this lagoon? |
It was an old salt plant, which turned in a swampy mosquitoe's paradise. In 1999, thirty men dredged it about three feet deep during ten months with just shovels and weel barrows. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PALM ISLAND RESORT
| How did you get your water from? |
A consequent desalinisation plant has been installed to provide enough drinkable water for the whole island. |
| Is there AC in rooms? | There is a small AC unit in each room, but breeze is so nicer! |
| What do you do with grey waters? | A sewage plant has been built. The leftover water is used for gardening |
| Can I have an Internet access? |
Yes, a computer has been installed in the library. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DOC'S FAMILY LIFE IN PALM ISLAND
| Since how long are you living here? |
We arrived here Friday 13th of October 1995. |
| How did you ended here? |
The first time I went to Palm was in 1977, after sailing from
France. I settled in Dominica for one year, then five years on Les Saintes
islands, South of Guadeloupe. Back to France for ten years. |
| Are not you missing France? |
Not at all. Our home is now Palm Island. |
| How often do you go back home? |
Once a year, to visit family and friends. One month in September. |
| Where the girls go to school? |
They are following the French official homeschooling system. They send homeworks every three weeks for correction. Every year they receive the official paper from French Ministry of Education, allowing them in next grade. |
| What will you do when they will be older? |
The system can be followed up to university. The problem of their close future is more a social problem than a school problem. We'll advise in time. |
| Where do you buy your grocery and supplies? |
I just pass two phone calls to St Vincent for grocery and vegetables, and I am directly delivered to Palm, through the mailboat to Union, (three times per week) then the Palm work boat. |
| How did they ended buying a house? |
Staying on Palm resort, or passing by on boats |
| Is there any more land for sale? | The new policy of Palm owners is not to sale any piece of land. |
| Are there houses for sale? | From time to time. |
| What is involved in owning a house on Palm? | Each homeowner has to pay Palm Island his share for electricity, security, garbage collection, various maintenances .. |