I am sorry that the Leeward Islands post was incomplete. Today,(real time – April 2nd, 2012) Ken, Wendell, Lillie and Matt M. and I are in St. Barts for the Voile de St. Barts Regatta. Hoping to find good internet so I can do more catch-up with the Blog Posts. Hold tight! Regarding Regatta, winds are forecast for 5-6 knots! Not a good forecast, needing at least 10-15 to move some of these boats!
Arrived in Roseau, the Capital of Dominica, and called for SeaCat, a local tour guide(recommended by other boater). His pal Desmond arrived on his boat to put us on a mooring in front of “Drop Anchor” a great , small, new waterside restaurant complete with strong internet (our new office). We met up later with SeaCat to arrange for a day of touring on Friday. Huge swells at night that made us glad to be on a good strong mooring!!. Had to use a stern line with the dingy at the docks or it would be trashed about. Friday, we met our arranged driver (Stu) and set off to Victoria Falls and Emerald Pool.
View of boat at mooring out from Drop Anchor Bar-Restaurant
Ken’s Roseau “office”
Dominica Beer
Drop Anchor – great little bar, restaurant, wifi cafe.
One crossing on the hike to Victoria Falls
Ken wanted to do some hiking and our driver assured us that hiking to the falls and to the pool might satisfy him. Ken wasn’t convinced and still had other destinations in mind. However, after a grueling hike over wet boulders and crossing fast running river water five times on our way to the Falls sure changed his mind about doing more in one day. The hike was well worth it, (could have been better if Ken had not slipped and scraped his shin gloriously) as the falls were outstanding.
Moses’s bar serving cold beer after our hike
We stopped for lunch at “The Riverside” a new French restaurant that even Stu did not know about. After lunch we concluded our tour by a short hike to Emerald Pool. I just had to go in although the water was cold, but so refreshing. Stu concluded our tour with a quick drive through Roseau, past the new sports arena and then a quick drive through their Botanical garden park.
Saturday, we made one last dingy stop at Drop Anchor for lunch and a quick internet check then called Desmond so we could pay for the mooring and go. We motored 2 ½ hours to Portsmouth in order to recharge our boat battery. 2 Days on a mooring drains the battery and you have to either hook up to shore power or run the engine.
Rough-rocky beach!
Last picture of Rodney Bay,
This is the “Fruit and Veg” boat that will deliver right to your boat!
Saturday, February 18th, we left around noon after checking out with customs. Had a beautiful sail to Martinique, the Island of Flowers. (about 4 hours) cruising about 6-7 knots in winds of about 15kts. We anchored in Le Marin harbor, and dingy’d into the dock near Mango Bay Bar. Had great lamb shank for dinner!
Diamond Rock
Sunday to Tuesday, we found everything closed and everyone celebrating Carnival. A bit frustrating, but fun to watch. Parades each afternoon! Did find a Leader Price supermarket open until noon, oaded with French foods. I was delighted to find good wine in a box! (Sorry, but it is useful on the boat). Great sausage and several other items I had missed since France!
Island Yole Sailing yacht.
Tuesday late afternoon, we sailed up to Anse de Arlet, Martinique, into a small bay with the clearest water I have ever seen. I snorkeled to check our anchor holding before we went to town to the only place open during carnival for food. We chose what they cooked, pizza. It really is too bad we have missed the shops and markets but Carnival is Carnival!
Wednesday we pulled anchor and sailed north to St. Pierre, Martinique. It was a 3 hour sail past Fort de France which was one of the largest harbors we had yet to see. We arrived at St. Pierre around 3pm and anchored close to shore due to a huge shelf dropping off too deep to anchor.
Ken found the local “hotspot” for internet, L’Escapade’s and set up office while I relaxed, swam and did some reading. I went in to pick him up before the towns last night of Carnival started. Each town we stopped at had it’s own parade each night and loud music! Everyone celebrated in grand style. Steak fajita’s for dinner on the boat and celebrating ourselves that the town seemed to shut down around 9pm!
On Thursday, February 23rd, pulled anchor around 8am after a bit of a restless night. We seemed to do a bit of drifting on the hook with the alarm letting us know we had moved. Not too much to be concerned as no boats around us, but we would recheck the hold each time. We had soaked the paddle wheel in white vinegar for the speed odometer gauge on the boat overnight and our days sail to Dominica, although very wet, made Ken happy as each instrument was working in top form.
See you on the Water
