AFTER ST BARTHS WE SAILED TO ST MARTIN

The island of Saint Martin is within a couple of hours sail from Saint Barthelemy.
It is divided into a French and a Dutch section, and has a very large inland lagoon with two entrances to the sea, both with lifting bridges.
When arriving from the South the first bay in which one can anchor is Simpsons Bay. This tends to be a bit rough (swell) so most people go into the inner lagoon or go around to the French side and anchor in Marigot Bay.

Saint Martin is the best place in the Easter Caribbean to buy yacht equipment and supplies. It is completely tax free, so we bought a new dinghy (aluminium RIB), new outboard (9.8hp two stroke) and some spare parts, anchor etc.
We also spent sublime evenings at 'Lagoons Bar" drinking happy hour beers at 1$ each, (the cheapest in the area).

The lifting bridge allowing access from Simpson Bay to the inner lagoon

This fine fellow lived on the veranda of the local bread shop..

A windy day in the lagoon

A calm day on the lagoon

Fun shopping

A sunset at Lagoonies Bar

Our new stern anchor.

GUSTAVIA ON ST BARTHELEMY ISLAND

This is the most famous port in this part of the Caribbean for super yachts and their "super" owners.
The docks of Gustavia are frequented by the absolute rich and famous. Its also a destination for racing fanatics (for example the Barths Bucket for yachts over 100 feet long)

The town is interesting since it has relics from its Swedish beginnings, and some of the streets still have Swedish names.

The dock in Gustavia

View of Gustavia port

Looking North towards St Martin

The old back streets of Gustavia

The old Swedish clock tower

FROM JOLLY HARBOUR TO ST BARTHS

It was time to leave Antigua and sail North West to Saint Barthelemy.
Before we left we spent a week in the Jolly Harbour area enjoying the trips ashore and the amazing 'green' coloured water. The sandy bottom stretches out for a couple of miles from the shore so with the water clarity it looks green. Navigation in these waters is risky and visual indicators are used if the charts are inadequate (as they often are.!). Brown colour of the water indicates coral or rocks, dark blue usually weed beds, and green is sand.

Jolly Harbour Marina

Green ocean views

motoring out of Jolly Harbour (towing the dinghy)

SUPERYACHTS IN ANTIGUA

The best part of a visit to Antigua is the sighting of some of the world's most famous and iconic super yachts. For example we spotted The Maltese Falcon on our AIS when we were sailing from Jolly Harbour back to Falmouth Harbour. They were also going to Falmouth as well and we had the opportunity of see her 'up close'.

MORE ABOUT ANTIGUA

A hike up to Shirley Heights just East of English Harbour was invigorating and enjoyable. Not only was the view from the top very spectacular, the flora was incredible. So different from other islands and so abundant with different species. Some 'Acacia' looking low trees with 'air plants' growing without their roots in the ground. Aloes, cacti, and different grasses. In fact there is a 'star' grass variety which is normally found in North Africa. Apparently the seeds are carried in the Trade Winds that also bring across dust from the Sahara desert.

This is the view from half way up the Shirley Heights hill. You can see English Harbour in the foreground and Falmouth harbour in the distance

 Air plants and Aloes....

This is the AIR plant...Growing in the tree branches

Ancient volcanic rocks

THE ISLAND OF ANTIGUA. For New Year.

We revisit the best destination that we experienced last season.
After spending Christmas in The Saints (Les Isles des Saintes) we decided that Falmouth Harbour in Antigua would be the ideal place to enjoy the New Year celebrations.
Falmouth and English Harbours are famous for their fireworks displays and the ambiance is thrilling with superyacht crews out to celebrate. Plenty of entertainment is also available.