SEASON END

Posted on by May 2, 2019
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Working our way south we revisited many of our favorite places, and met friends along the way so it was quite a social time.
We were required to check out with customs and immigration on Union Island. While there,  we returned to the HAPPY ISLAND bar where we posted photos in January.   This time windsurfers entertained us with spectacular tricks.  Here is a short video as one surfer flew through the air and grabbed a beer from a gentleman holding it out for him.    He had a few drinks as he surfed away and then returned giving the beer back to the gentleman.     Cheers by all.   


Our final sail of the season took us from Union Island to Carriacou Island where we joined 7 other boats leaving for  Trinidad.  

Convoy #1 head out from Carriacou

A week earlier a sailboat was pursued by “pirates” near the Trinidad coast.   Shots were fired and although no one on board was injured, the boat sustained several bullet holes.     As a result, a total of 8 boats formed a convoy and made contact with the Trinidad Coast Guard and North Coast Radio. We filed a sailing route with them and had radio contact  as we approached the coast.    They were monitoring us on radar.     We experience no incidents and had a beautiful 16 hour sail, arriving Trinidad early in the morning.


Bella Luna, Beaucastel and Blue decided to go into the first cove and anchor for a few hours of sleep as we did not choose to go into the area of the marina at night.   It turned out to be a magical  experience.    As we approached in the moonlight  there were a lot of fish swimming at the surface.  When we set the anchors and turned off our motors we heard Howler monkeys and tropical birds in the distance.   Waking in daylight we were in awe of this beautiful cove, with still water, dense tropical foliage  and the silence except, again,  the moneys and birds  callings. How special to be in this South American setting to enjoy our final anchorage of the season.  

Bella Luna & Beaucastel strapped down for hurricane season

 

CHANGE OF PLANS

Posted on by May 1, 2019
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Our friends Karl and Bekki from Florida planned their sailing trip with us months ago but due to the Boeing grounding, their flight to Antigua was cancelled the evening before departure.    

  They were able to rebook a flight a few days later but into Guadeloupe and out of Martinique.     So we headed south and arrived to meet them in Pointe a Pitre, the main town of Guadeloupe.     As we approached we were escorted by dolphins!  


Next morning Karl rented a car, we stopped at the bakery to buy wonderful French sandwiches and we took a tour to Basse Terre, the mountainous region where we hiked to a waterfall, had a picnic lunch, fed mongoose our crumbs and enjoyed the beautiful settings.    Karl is a photographer so arrived well equipped.   

  In the evening we ventured some many miles for a meal at a French restaurant that was in a  rural setting.  Thank you goggle maps for finding it for us.   It was extremely special, memorable and excellent food.  Thank you Karl and Bekki!


With favourable winds we sailed to Marie-Galante, named after one of Columbus’s boats.  The island is very unspoiled, quiet and beautiful.   Best to tour the island via car or scooter.   With very little traffic, scooters can certainly be considered.   This island is wonderful for hiking.    The island once had 600 sail driven windmills for grinding sugar cane.     Today approximately 70 windmills remain in need of repairs, plus the newer generation windmills which produce energy for the island.

We anchored off the village of Saint Louis and enjoyed walking around and talking with people.   A few speak english and we found a young man who lived in London for several years but wanted to return to his homeland.   Very friendly people here.   Unfortunately we were under a strict time frame so we had to depart sooner than we wanted.    


We told Karl and Bekki we must stop at Portsmouth, Dominica for the evening beach BBQ.     Once again, as we wrote earlier, it was so much fun.   With a few rum punches and good music, everyone dances.    We took a tour of the island and enjoyed more waterfalls.  

We  learned how much China is providing aid and help to this island from the past hurricane.   
The final passage with Karl and Bekki was to Martinique, Fort de France, where they returned back to Florida.  Although it was a short stay, we stayed very busy and had a wonderful time!

BARBUDA

Posted on by April 5, 2019
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This  island is 61.99 sq mi or 160.56km2.  Elevation is 125 ft or 38m.   It is located in the eastern Caribbean and is part of the commonwealth nation of Antigua.

Our 3 hour sail from Antigua brought us to the most stunning sand beaches, some with pink hues and intense turquoise waters.    The island is surrounded by many reefs and depths are quite shallow.        

Shortly after arriving I saw a boat of local fisherman and waved to them to come to the boat.   Sure enough they had been diving for Lobster so we purchased some as did our friends on Beaucastel.    We enjoyed 2 evenings of lobster feasts.  

We contacted George Jeffrey who has lived on the island for many years.    He took  the 4 of us in his Boston Whaler for a tour of the protected  sanctuary for  Frigatebirds (common name Frigate or “man o´ war” bird).    The Frigate weights approximately 2-3 pounds but have the greatest wing span in proportion to their weight.    George said that there are roughly 20,000 birds in this sanctuary of mangroves.      This colony has been featured in National Geographic.     Although I  do not consider myself a bird watcher, this experience was incredible to see and hear.

George

Barbuda took a direct hit from hurricane IRMA in 2017 and on route to see the Frigates, George showed us two containers lying in the mangroves that FLEW from the nearest hotel, not floated – FLEW.   One was a 90 foot container.    Hard to judge the distance but as the crow flies, perhaps over 1 mile or 1.6km.  

George has lived with hurricanes over the years but said IRMA was the strongest ever.  He also explained that the people living here know and accept that they are in an area where hurricanes can strike but they still love being here.    George has learned after his 70 some years that nature is always quick to repair and rebuild itself.  

We certainly saw the devastation as we walked through the main village of Codrington.  We also saw posters, a new automobile sponsored by a relief organization and a large relief tent provided by different organisations and countries, but did not see much evidence of actual help.   

There are approximately 2000 inhabitants, many who left after IRMA but according to George, some have returned so perhaps 1700 in population  now.      There are horses, donkeys , dogs and goats roaming freely throughout the village.    It is reported they have horse races on Sundays.     We found a man selling fried chicken so stopped to have some pieces.  Very Good.    We too purchased some fresh fruits and vegetables from a mother and her son at a corner stand.   Lovely people!   

 Barbuda has/had some  beachfront luxury resorts.      We saw evidence of many  beach bungalows destroyed and sitting in ruins.    One resort we anchored in front of has, at this time, tents erected on wooden floors and there were a few guests there.  The main structure for the restaurant and pool were open.       A seaplane arrived to the resort so landed and took off among all of us at anchor.   That was fun to watch.   

Arriving to the resort by seaplane

Barbuda is a very special place and special people dedicated to “the heart of the nature”.    Others would love to get their hands on beachfront property for further development.    I for one wish the people strength to preserve their island as they wish.