more St Martin

This is a picture of Gay on Island Time coming thru the gate of Fort du St Louis atop the harbor at Marigot Bay.

St. Martin FWI

After a grueling 70 mile sail from Virgin Gorda I arrived in St Martin after 23 hours!!! My average speed was only 3.9 knots.

St Martin is a very pleasant surprise. The French influence on this island appears to be a very positive thing. The food and culture mixed with the Caribbean makes it an enjoyable place. The wine is subsidized by the government in France so a nice touch as well.

I took the hike around the island yesterday and went to the fort above the town. The island is divided between the Dutch and the French. I am anchored in Marigot Bay on the French Side. The Dutch side is across Simpson Lagoon and is much busier and more built up than the French. It appears most cruisers are anchored in the Lagoon. The Dutch side is very yacht oriented with chandlers every 1000 meters on the waterfront in the lagoon. The prices are more competitive then the USVI and St Martin is duty free so that helps a bit. The following picture was taken from the Fort St Louis.

Red Hook, USVI

I was in Red Hook last week taking my Captains license test. As soon as the paperwork clears I will be USCG licensed Master. Might charter next year but as of now everything up in the air.

While anchored in Red Hook very early in the morning I kept hearing a snorting sound. Laying in the rack trying to figure what sort of sea animal makes the snorting sound. When I went on deck it was a horse and rider swimming around the anchorage. There is not a lot of paddock(pasture) in this area so to get the animals exercised so they take them swimming!

LJ"s Vacation

 My good friend Larry Johnson came out from the Pacific NW to spend a week on Le Chat Beaute. We have seen better weather in these parts but it was still 85 and raining everyday. Our first stop was was Caneel Bay on St John. This is a favorite of LJ"s as he ate here the last time he was in the USVI. I have to admit the fare is good and the painkillers as good as any I have had in the islands.The Caneel Bay resort is up market as far as it goes and is fairly secluded with deer and donkeys ambling about the property.

The funny weather we were having also brought SW winds so we sailed over to the Baths on Virgin Gorda after stopping briefly at Sopers Hole on Tortola to clear customs. The Baths never seem to grow old. Truly a geologic wonder. Eons ago the granite boulders were suspended in lava. Erosion by the sea removed the lava and left boulders as big as a house jumbled together. These boulders form grottos and pools of sea water. As the light changes the look and feel of the grottos change as well..

Damn that ship is close

Just a little humor. Here in the Elephant Bay moorage on Water Island when the cruise ships depart it can make for an interesting perspective. The season is winding down so don"t see many ships anymore.I am still doing my chores to get out of here before the first hurricane. Hope to take the test for my captains license next week.