Sunday, January 31, 2010

Dominica

We went on a guided tour of Dominica. We used Martin's service and our guide was Paul, a local medicine man actually. We had a great time and brought home about as much free fruit , vegs, and herbs as the trip cost us. Here are some of the sites in Dominica on our trip.


Paul cleaning coconuts for us.




These are cocoa pods in a cocoa tree. The beans are collected from the pods and roasted and ground. The locals use cocoa as a tea. This is a wild tree.


This is a vanilla vine growing up a coconut tree. Vanilla has to be pollinated by hand.


Carolyn enjoying a treat and holding a little lemon grass.


Beauty everywhere.


The local Saturday market.


Market



It was a great day topped with a full moon rising over the mountain.


Market in Portsmouth.



Wild flowers and plants.






This rainbow went all the way across the island.



Thursday, January 28, 2010

Guadalupe, Dominica

We didn't stay long in Guadalupe. We only spent a couple of days then went on to Dominica. There we plan to see the interior which is jungle and waterfalls etc. We like Dominica so far because it reminds us of the DR. More pics to come later.

The town of Desheias in Guadalupe.

Desheias is very french.


The volcano on Montserrat was acting up as we passed on our way to Dominica. It was about 10 miles away but you can see the plume going up very clearly from the mouth.


Guadalupe as we left it behind.



This is where I am doing my Internet thing and the cost is a cold beer or drink. I not complaining. If I plug in and use electricity it cost about $1.30 US.



Antigua

Antigua was really nice. Beautiful, historic and nice people. We really enjoyed it.

This is part of the original structures from the past. It is now the Customs and Immigrations building.

An anchor of the times and the three white and black drums are recreations of the capstans used to roll a ship over so the bottoms could be repaired. This was done by running lines under the ship, over the decks then to the capstans where men would turn them and slowly careen the ship over.



This one of several old, 1700 to 1800 anchors along the shore in the harbor and more artifacts are strewed over the bottom of the bay.



An original building being used as shops etc.



One of the artillery placements at the mouth of the bay. The bay was used as a dock and ship repair station for the British Navy.




A tall ship pulled in while we were there.




Off to Guadalupe.





Saturday, January 16, 2010

St. Martin, French West Indies

The trip to St. Martin was uneventful and nice. We anchored on the French side in Marigot Bay as it is less expensive and if you go into the lagoon it cost nothing. Check in and out was very laid back and easy. One person to see, a computer to fill out you forms and stamp, stamp, your done and with a smile.

Marigot dock.

The market place on the docks.

St. Maarten, the Dutch side. The bus cost $2 / person one way.


Down town St. Martin, the French side.


Adios St. Martin, we are headed for Antigua.


Tortola,BVI

We stopped over at Norman Island, the bay is called the Bight. It's a very nice place and we were there along with Mark and Amber on Opel. From there we went to Tortola.

Moondance in The Bight.

Amber in the dink next to Opel.

The coast of Tortola.


Road Town


Jeannie and Chester. We met them in at Norman Island.


Callwood distillery, still producing rum.


We enjoyed driving around Tortola with Ann Marie, Larry and Mark.


We all stopped and had a bite to eat along the coast.


Leaving Tortola for St. Martin/ St. Maarten.



Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Tortola,BVI

We are in Road Harbor, Tortola at present waiting for weather to jump across the Anagada Passage. The Anagada is similar to the Mona Passage only a bit longer. We are looking forward to seeing the Dutch and French islands as we move down the chain toward Grenada.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

The Bight on Norman Island

Norman Island, BVI is a great place. We went into the Bight and managed to anchor on the far north side of the bay. It was crowded. That night we went to Willy T's, a steel schooner turned bar.

Along the way to Norman Island.

It was a very good sail.

Willy T's.


Parrot at the Pirates Bight Restuarant.


Willy T schooner.




Baths, Trellis Bay, BVI

We spent the afternoon at the Baths and went to Trellis Bay for New Years.

Rugged coast along the way. Then the Baths. Next is a couple of fire balls at Trellis bay that is lit for New Years. The last picture is of the Mumbo Jumbies that walked around the crowd.