Thursday 26 December 2013

Sint Maarten/St Martin

We had a lovely broad reach sail to Sint Maarten.

The small island is cut into two nations.  The story goes that some time ago a Frenchman and a Dutchman set off around the island heading in opposite direction.  The Frenchman with wine and Dutchman with a bottle of Gin.  When they met again, a line was drawn across the island, and this is how the border between French and Dutch Sint Maarten/Saint Martin was set.

This is a Superyacht haven, where they have a lot of work done on their boats.  The facilities are fantastic, as are the chandleries and contractors.

These next photos are a small sample of the boats here.  To get into the lagoon they close the road and open the bridge...






On arriving, we caught up again with Mark from Sealife.  Also we met Belinda and Jean on Free Spirit.

Mark organised for us to go on a hike.  It was "extreme hiking", however the views were well worth it.
It started pretty gently, with Jean and I "frolicking" in the long grass...


 It then became steeper and steeper...




For Christmas Day I glazed a Ham and Roasted Chickens.
I also made this "Christmas Gingerbread House", 
all was taken to a "pot-luck" lunch where we had a huge feast, lots of food wine and fun...


Very Merry Christmas Everyone...

Monday 9 December 2013

And we move further up the Leeward Islands...


I was in desperate need for a haircut…  
I had been trimming my fringe, however felt it was well overdue for a professional.  
At Isle de Saintes there was this lovely salon...

However, language barrier – she only spoke French.  
I came up with a solution.  
I went to my appointment armed with my computer and used technology to help


Look who parked next to us...

We thought there was a unusual sound coming from starboard engine, 
so after clearing out of Isle de Saintes we sailed to Guadaloupe to see the Yanmar dealer.  
He was not concerned, so we will get this checked again in St Martin.

There were a lot of fish traps up the coast from Point A Pitre to Le Francois.  
It was a real obstacle course.   
We got up early and had a great 15 – 25 knot sail with the Screecher (getting up to 9.1 knot speed).  Seeing a big squall coming, 
we pulled in the sails and waited it out, before entering Indian Creek – Antigua, 
a tiny anchorage around the corner from English Harbor, where Customs and Immigration is.
We were the only boat in this tiny anchorage,
where we overnighted before heading to English Harbour the next morning to do the formalities.



Yay – it is now the official end of hurricane season!  
(Our insurance keeps us at certain latitude and longitude until 1 December)

We went ashore – LOTS of superyachts here.  It is the Superyacht show on this weekend coming and they are expecting over 100 superyachts – we won’t be here long!

We walked to Falmouth Marina where I had the most delicious drink – recipe as follows:

"Espresso Martini"
1 shot Espresso Coffee
1 shot Vodka
1 shot Crème de Caco
1 shot Crème de Café
Ice
Put all ingredients together – shake and pour into Martini Glass

After this, I was raring to go – so we then walked the trail over-hill from Pigeon Beach 
to Fork Berkeley – a lovely shaded “volcanic” walk.  
Check out this interesting Cactus and Richard pointing at Our Rose








We had a few days here getting jobs completed.  
We then had a gorgeous Screecher sail to Jolly Harbour.  
The water was a gorgeous Turquoise and we saw HUGE Hawkbill turtles along the way.   
We found that we had internet at the anchorage on the boat, 
so we made the absolute most of it and did a lot of internet catching up.

Next day we caught the bus – at this stage I must mention buses...
Buses in the Caribbean are Vans.  
They generally have slogans painted across the rear window or the top of the windscreen.  
They ALL play either “LOUD” Caribbean music OR rather religious broadcasts.  
They ALL drive very fast!  
No matter where you are, you just put your hand out and they will stop – no need for bus-stops.

Anyway, we caught the bus to St Johns.  
There were 2 cruise ships in, therefore the town was heaving with cruiseship tourists.  
We left as soon as we could.

We cleared out of Jolly Harbour and with the Screecher headed directly to the South end of Nevis
10 to 15 knots breeze, lovely sail.

We went to clear in, however Customs had popped out, 
so the lovely helpful Immigration lady told us to go enjoy ourselves and come back later.  
She even organized a hire car for us.  
The island has a nice feel, proud and clean.  
We stopped at the Botanical Gardens...


We went to Golden Rock, a Restaurant and Accommodation – just gorgeous!.. 




We stopped at a “garden centre” to get some more herb and vege plants.  
The lovely lady only had landscape plants, 
however she insisted on picking and giving us Starfruit, Giant Avocados and a bunch of flowers...

Next day we took the car ferry to St Kitts (Saint Christopher).  Look how close they have you park


St Kitts does not have the same feel as Nevis. 

This sign is advertising this…

  But you get this...


A lot of houses look like this...


Monday 2 December 2013

Iles des Saintes

We had a "fast" sail to Iles des Saintes
The forecast was 20 - 25 knots.  It was over 30 all the way with gusts of over 40...

What a gorgeous quaint place...
Again, very french - however extremely friendly.
(These French islands attract predominantly French Tourists and French Cruisers)

We hired a car??? for the day

and drove around the island.
The first French settlers ventured here in the mid 17th Century,
and the neighbouring seas, subsequently served as the battleground for many a skirmish with the British

Their forts are amazing..


with pretty spectacular views also


 We hiked up 1000ft (300 metres) to another fort - again amazing view


Lovely beaches and colorful buildings...