Guadaloupe
Inga
Sat 16 Jan 2016 22:42
Leaving St Maartan
We had a good week with Ann and Andrew in Antigua and after they left we moved to the anchorage at the Hermitage before an early start to Guadaloupe.
Ann and Andrew
I was looking forward to a good beam reach sail in the easterly breeze, but when we hoisted the sails we found the rigging too slack (the mast was down for the summer in St Maarten) I could not tighten it on the move so we ended up motoring the 48 miles to Guadaloupe.
Stopped at a place called Deshaies ( pronounced Day Hey) in a deep bay. Initially we had strong gusty winds from the mountains, rather katabatic, but it settled.
Swimming in the pools
We liked Deshaies and visited the famous botanical gardens, walked (boulder climbing really) up the local river and had a day on the 2 km beach. Deshais was a good place to stock up and a mixture of French and local Caribbean.
Breakfast brought to the boat
We set off for Pigeon Island and spent a rolly night at anchor, but this was made up for by the good snorkeling in the Jaques Cousteau marine park. Coralie saw a turtle grazing on the grass beneath the boat, I missed it, but there were many brightly coloured fish and corals.
Yesterday we came further south to the capital Basse Terre and have come into the small marina and are enjoying some calm, internet and filling up with water.
It is hot here so we are living life slowly.
We hired a car to see more of the island and went to the rain forest and hiked to the first waterfall (see pics). Also toured the island enjoying the views, tried the thermal pool but this was disappointing as the sea kept filling the pool so it was only slightly warmer than the sea itself.
Then moved on across the channel to the Iles de Saints.
Had a swim off the beach at Pain du Sucre and an amazing fish dinner right on the beach in the main town. Great.
Will try to get this off today with pictures.
\artist in residence
Brian and Coralie
Sent from my iPad