St.Martin

Wednesday, January 12th, Polde and I sailed to Baie de Marigot on the French side of St.Martin. The bay is huge and approaching it, we were already in a shallow water. Seeing a lot of large sailboats close to the shore, we knew we could anchor near the dock and not having to dinghy a long distance to the harbour. A long stretch of vendors on the water front, ready to do business with people from cruise ships, tourist buses and sailors. Next a fruit, vegetable and spice market. And across the street among many restaurants, the pastry shop La Serafine, the busiest place in the harbor. Beside going there a few times, we walked to the Fort Louis. From it you can see both bays, the Simpson on the Dutch side and the Marigot with the lagoon between the two.

The view from the Fort Louis  

Historical document

Typical Caribbean upscale house

Marigot shopping mall

Marigot spice market

La Serafine

Ile Fourchue

Me moved on to Ile Fourchue, a small island 2 NM North of the Anse du Colombier, uninhabited picturesque marine resort. It is a private island, but sailors are welcome to walk it's rugged trails. Goats used to feed here and were removed after eating all the greens, that is slowly coming back.

                                                                                    

                                     

Blooming cacti

Vine, struggling to survive                                                           

                                                                 



Nature in it's beauty



Alone in the eternity



St. Barthelemy

We reached the coast of St.Barth much to early to anchor in the area, that was unfamiliar to us. We slowly floated to the North end of the island to Anse du Colombier and at a daybreak picked up the last of many moorings available. Being a marine park anchoring and fishing is not permitted here. Snorkeling over the patches of grass, feeding place for many turtles, was excellent. Our sea legs needed a stretch, so we hiked on the narrow trail for the view over the East side.

Anse du Colombier

North-East side of the island, opposite Anse du Colombier

Night sailing

From Antigua to St. Barth

December 8th
We left Antigua in a favorable wind mid morning, thinking that the wind might slow down or change, forcing us to tack to the shores of St. Barth. But South wind was unusually persistent and we flew towards our destination.
After the sundown we were in the safe haven of the night. As the dusk covered the sea, distant islands, during the day only faint shadows, came alive. Tiny lights on them were blinking into the darkness, the only signs of life around us.
Stars appeared, competing in brightness. The moon was small, more for decoration then light.
The wind whispered in our sails as we glided on the water. It was the time to enjoy.

Holidays

Christmas Day we sailed North to Trois Ilets, Marie Galante. We had dinner on ‘LAIMA’ with our friends Beni and Rick.

After a day of rest we sailed on December 27th to Pointe À Pitre on Guadeloupe. We have an emotional tie to this place. Two years ago we bought our Amel here.

After two days we were under sails again to Les Saintes, where we celebrated New Years Eve on ‘NADA’ with Beni and Rick and their furry ball Katie. It was good to be with friends, when we missed the family most.

A day of rest and we sailed to Pigeon Island, Guadeloupe, Jacque Cousteau Marine Resort, and next morning to Deshaies, one of our favorite towns. We were anchored there four days in a stormy weather, before we were able to cross to Antigua. There we parted with ‘LAIMA’ friends and in the afternoon of January 8th, sailed an overnight passage to St. Barthelemy.

Falmouth Harbour, Antigua
Lost in the parade of yachts. As if the world's wealth gathered here

A week on St.Lucia with Anka, Dave, Rok and Alex

Enjoying the sun

Getting ready to sleep on the deck















Rok and Alex at volcano site

Rok. Quiet time with the book

Ginger blossom and Alex

Our artist at work

We took down the painting, that was dedicated to the previous owner of  'NADA' and replaced it with the new one. Polde said: "Now the sailboat is really ours."








Mid November was stormy and rainy and Polde and I worried about the weather during Thanksgiving week, when Anka's family was to arrive. The weather improved when the kids came, but the swells from high seas the last few weeks were rocking the boat all week long.
We sailed St.Lucia's coast, anchored in the Anse Cochon, at Pitons and in Rodney Bay.
We toured the island, our driver Theo drove us through the tropical forest to volcano sites and the waterfalls. St.Lucia is a beautiful and interesting island.

Images of St. Lucia

Gregory, the fruit man

Lampshade made of palm leaves
with a bird of paradise

Cocoa pod

The removal of mud slides after
hurricane Tomas

Sufriere

Always steaming volcano

Fearless Lesser Antillean Bullfinch

Waching the sunset from the beach
of Gros Islet