Geocaches, Cappucino, Indian, Pizza, Crepes, Moules et Frites and Baguettes

January 29 2015
From Marigot to Rodney Bay, it's only 10 miles along the coast and we did an easy afternoon motor-sail after enjoying our cappuccinos. We first dropped anchor very near Pigeon Island, but thought we were uncomfortably close to the reef with strong winds in the forecast, and moved to the south side of the bay, in front of the hotels.

We had ambitious objectives, including snorkeling around Pigeon Island, getting a haircut, revisiting the great Spice of India restaurant, pizza at Elena's and Susan's first geocaching adventure. The snorkeling was not to be; we kayaked all across Rodney Bay, a great exercise, but JP hit a sea urchin just as we were setting off the dock of Jambe de Bois, and also wrenched his back in the succeeding process to get back to the beach. We had to radio a water taxi and get back to the first aid kit.

We were quite undaunted on the other objectives however, and were able to accomplish them all, particularly when we understood how tiny the geocache containers were. One for Susan!

February 4 2015
A quick 30 miles across the St Lucia channel saw us just after midday in Martinique, despite a lengthy water / fuel / gasoline stop in Rodney Bay Marina. We  made our way through the various reefs of Le Marin and anchored in a very quiet spot off Pointe Cailloux reef. Time for customs check in and some CREPES! As an added bonus, we found our second geocache in an even tinier container, in the marina parking lot.  
 
With that under our belt, we were ready to go through our boat shopping list, which included the normal weird items, from a marine AM/FM radio to a single side band antenna cable and engine belts. 

The new bakery in the marina and Mango Bay restaurant provided the moral sustenance to deal with the Euro prices. 

One little disappointment - rhum agricole now comes in 3 liter boxes instead of  5 liters. O Tempora, O Mores! 

We completed a couple little projects too.

joys of an island market - Le Marin

February 7 A swim in Sainte Anne - what swim?

With over 1000 vessels at anchor or in the marina at any given time, Le Marin is not perfect for swimming but the mile-wide anchorage in front of Sainte Anne, 3 miles away, provides perfect clear water in a shallow 15 feet in  sand. We moved there but were greeted by constant squalls and rain on Saturday and Sunday. 

The seascape in the morning looked more like the Highlands than the tropics - oh well, soon we will be jumping off the transom again.