St. Martin to Guadeloupe 2016

1/29/2016 We set sail for St. Martin, timing our departure to arrive outside the bridge to the Lagoon before the first morning opening. We had a miserable overnight passage into the wind and bashing into the seas. We arrived at 0630 the next morning and anchored outside in Simpson Bay until the in-going bridge opened at 0930. The Lagoon was really crowded and we had to wait for one of the boats to leave on the next out-going bridge opening so we could find a spot to anchor. We met up with Lequesteau, Tehani, Mythago and Jump. Caroline and Liz Ann went to a domino game while Greg and Greigg took in the local Carnival parade. We took a long walk to a grocery store and stocked up on some provisions.

Carnival in St. Martin

 We also took a bus trip over to Phillipsburg on the Dutch side where the cruise ships dock. We had a fun day window shopping and seeing the town.

Entrance to Old Street in Phillipsburg

A pedestrain street

Greg and Greigg have to taste some local rum

Zoom in and note the shapes in the railing on this restaurant

A local bar in Phillipsburg

The three Musketeers: Greigg, Greg and Dave

The old Courthouse

 We met Joan and Greg Conover and their son, Josh on S/V Growl Tiger and they joined our group in a night at Lagoonies for the jam session. Gary from Neptune II was playing his sax and some of the kids from the "kid boats" in Grenada got in on the act too. A fun night for all. 

Gary on his sax

Two of the kids at the mic with their guitar and ukelele

Greg and Caroline at Lagoonies

Paul, Sherri, Greigg, Caroline, Greg and Liz Ann enjoying a night at Lagoonies

Greg and Joan came down with the Salty Dog Rally and were headed to Dominica for the first annual Yachtie Appreciation Week organized by the Salty Dogs and PAYS. We decided to stop in for that in Dominica too.

2/4/2016 After several days in St. Martin, we set sail for another overnighter to Des Haies, Guadeloupe. We left the Lagoon with the 10:30 bridge opening and had a lumpy motor-sail until about 0100 the next morning when the seas calmed. We got to Des Haies just before 10:00 a.m. and took 3 tries to anchor. We had to anchor fairly far out as the harbor was crowded and all the mooring balls were taken. We were exhausted and took a long nap.  The wind in Des Haies tends to funnel between the hills and rushes through the harbor. The day after we arrived, the winds were up to 35 knots and boats were dragging. Some of the boats on moorings and those anchored closer in were bumping into each other. It was a nerve-wracking day. The winds finally settled down on the morning of the 7th. We tried to rent a car to tour more of the island but none were available. We managed to get the bus to St. Rose and toured the Musee du Rhum.  It was interesting but the insect collection on the second floor was amazing! 

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Greg, the Pirate

 While in Des Haies, we met Barbara and Tom on S/V Kalani, a 40 ft Pacific Seacraft. Their boat is a bigger version of ours and is beautiful.  We also had dinner on Growl Tiger with Joan, Josh and Greg. Joan is the Queen of pressure cooking and inspired me to use mine more often.