St Martin - 13 March 2013

We had such a great sail from Barbuda that we carried on past St Barts and anchored in Marigot Bay, some 80+ miles of fast sailing.

Next morning we checked in, only to be told we needed visas, so we bought temporary visa for 24 hours at a cost of 9 Euros each and sailed the next morning to Anguilla, what a great idea! We had a great lunch there and sailed back to St Maarten, checked in again, this time inside the lagoon and all was well, no visas required! Ask no questions, I'll tell no lies!!!!

Anguilla, Road Bay. Beautiful beaches, friendly people and nice bars

They race these locally built wooden boats(Anguilla)

Elvis' Beach Bar on the right (Anguilla)












All our SA yachtie mates were anchored inside the Lagoon too and it was great to catch up with Alan and Marita on Alleycat, who introduced us to a great guy by the name of John Perry. He sails his Maxim 38 single handed and has just returned from a few months in Puerto Rico. He hosts a website called Desperate Sailors, www.desparatesailors.com/  worth checking out!

Many bars were visited a lot of beer was consumed and provisioning done. We did some duty free shopping in Phillipsburg too.

Entering the bridge from Simpson Bay into the lagoon.

View from the Hard Rock Cafe, Phillipsburg

 John and Jo, from Out of Africa organised a Chinese dinner evening at the Golden Apple.













John Perry, Allan and Marita























Allan and Marita with us at the airport beach, Maho Bay. Huge tourist attraction.

Kieran with his friends from Cape, Bethanny and Brynn

BARBUDA - 8 March

Kieran's 13th Birthday

Kieran's bad parents caused him to miss out on yet another birthday party by motoring to Barbuda. Shame, at sea again for another one! However not many kids can say they've been to two different islands on their birthday. We basically had to leave due to the weather. On the way Mark caught a huge barracuda which we released, as there is a chance it carries Ciguatera, a poison. Navigating Barbuda is tricky as there are numerous coral heads, some uncharted. We should really try to get there before sunset, again!

We anchored in Gravenor Bay.

Mark changed out the Anchor light and took some nice pics from atop the mast.

This was the biggest conch I found, chowder for dinner!

Nothing much goes on in Barbuda, people come here for the seclusion and the pink beaches(pink color from fine broken coral) The late Princess Di used to visit a resort here, called the K-Club

I did some great snorkelling and there are plenty of fish here too, along with turtles and many stingrays

Above are some coral heads

We met a lovely couple here, from a yacht called Common Crossings and exchanged some cruising guides. With provisions running low it was time to make our way to St Martin. So far Antigua and Barbuda are our favourite islands.

Jolly Harbour Antigua and on to Barbuda March 2013

After spending a wonderful time at Galley Island it was time to meet up with our pals from New Horizon and Zinani. Jolly Harbour was the place! We could also do provisioning here and check out too.

The Zinani Twins, Stephani and Zinobi had their 16th birthday party, starting with a  champagne breakfast!

Of course other children like Coco and Sushi were invited too ;-) Along with their parents Wayne and Michelle from New Horizon

Leaving Jolly Harbour, you can see Five Islands

Antigua and Barbuda 26 February and into March

We weren't even planning to go to Antigua, however after the water maker drama we knew it would be the place to have it fixed. We sailed to the North of Guadeloupe and had a fast sail up to Falmouth Bay with all the rags up! Just made it after sunset.

This is the Maltese Falcon in Falmouth Harbour

Falmouth harbour hosts many of the super yachts, this is also big regatta central, with lots of parties etc We were lucky to arrive before all of this and were able to have our watermaker bracket repaired in 2 days, by Steve. We even had our roller furler and stack pack restitched at the same time.

While sitting at the waterfront using the wifi we bumped into an old friend and sailing instructor, Phil Martinson. He now looks after a big yacht and does charters for the owner. What a small world!

Phil gave us all sorts of great advice, like how to catch a snapper. He also advised us to check out a 'must see' Green Island and Galley Island. We weren't disappointed as the photos will show.

Iles Des Saintes and Guadeloupe - 23 February 2013

Iles Des Saintes, Basse Terre is where we checked in. Unfortunately we only spent a couple of hours here and then moved on up to Guadeloupe.

This is the beautiful anchorage opposite Pigeon Island, huge turtles everywhere, we want to re-visit

Just after setting the anchor, we heard a dull thud and immediately turned off the engines. Our worst fear was realised... the water maker bracket had broken. Someone must've been looking out for us as nothing else was damaged and we had managed to fill the tanks and flush the water maker membranes. Now we had four days to get the bracket re-welded(we couldn't flush or pickle the system until it was repaired) and our onboard water had to last as well.

We had some time to decided what to do....in the meantime our mission was to dive at Pigeon Island. Jaques Cousteau named it one of the 10 top dive sites in the world. I guess for the Caribbean he wasn't wrong, as it was our best dive spot so far.

Our camera isn't uber professional so the photos don't do the place justice. There are huge schools of pelagic fish that swim around and everything is full of vibrant colour, provided you don't dive too deep.


Tour boat from the anchorage.

Anyway we had to decide where to have the bracket repaired, either try and get it done in French Guadeloupe or sail up to English Antigua. We decided our French isn't as delicious as our English, therefore we checked out of Deshais after shopping at the 'friendly SPAR!!!!!'

For our non SA friends the SPAR is a supermarket chain in South Africa

ON OUR WAY TO ANTIGUA...

Dominica

DOMINICA - 17 February 2013

After a nice 50+ mile sail, we arrived in Prince Rupert Bay. Surrounded by lush green mountains, this place gets plenty of rain and they even export water to other islands!

 We were greeted by one of the 'boat boys'. These guys, locals, have formed a type of union to look after their and yachties' interests by making sure that rubber ducks etc, don't get 'borrowed'. They also provide a tour guide service, and can, for a handsome fee, arrange trips around the island. For us, Saffers, they are a bit too over bearing. None of them can give a price on anything without clearing it with Martin first! Goodbye free enterprise!

Enough of that! we did take a trip with our friends from New Horizon and Zinani, after all, and it was great!

Due to time constraints we visited the Northern part of the island.



Left is one of the many waterfalls one can hike to.

Our guide, was extremely knowledgable about all the plants and their uses, he also happened to be a champion black belt karate instructor! Below Kieran puts his hand in a cold sulphur spring bubbling out from a volcanic pipe. There are many of these pools on some of the islands, both hot and cold. As you sail past one gets a whiff of rotten eggs.

Not sure if you can spot the harpoon or spear in this boat. However, Dominica used to give Japan their vote for whaling on the ICW. In return, Japan built a rather large fishing wharf and sponsored supplies for the fishermen. In recent years this has changed. Dominica is now promoting whale watching and tourism.

Lots of rain here, decided our fate to move North, Guadeloupe here we come!

MARTINIQUE - February 2013

Is one of the first French Territory islands one encounters while sailing North from Trinni. What a pleasant change. Checking in consists of filling in a form, online, then printing it and paying 5 Euros, Voila! Here you have access to lovely shopping malls, Camembert, Brie, Bordeaux, top of the range fishing and diving gear etc.

Sainte Anne, was the first stop (above)

Above, and on the right is a "rock" just off Martinique, called HMS Diamond Rock. Made famous during the Napoleonic Wars. Check out the full story here en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_Rock











We were lucky enough to experience our first carnival in the capital, Fort de France




















....and the party goes on, and on!












After a great few days of carnival we made our way to St Pierre. This town was devastated by a volcanic eruption (Mt Pelee, 1902) that killed a number of people and devastated the town. Remnants still remain and houses have been built on some of the old ruins. We did a walk up to the museum and checked out the theatre that was hit by hot ash and rocks. A number of ships anchored close inshore were also hit and sank. Wreck diving here is very good and we managed to get one in too.

Mark and Kieran are standing at the prison tomb of Auguste Cyparis, one of only two survivors. The town had a population of 28000 (there were many other survivors, as they were on the outskirts of the town). Good story to read on Wiki en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Pelee

Just beyond those yachts are more than 11 wrecks, many in clear deep water. A wreck diver's paradise!



After stocking up on baguettes, pate and cheeses, it was time to sail on to
DOMINICA....