Finally in the Eastern Caribbean!!
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| "We don't need that expensive anchor" - post-hurricane St. Martin |
After 1200 miles of bashing into the wind (Kirstin calculated this on i-Sailor) we arrived in Marigot Bay, St. Martin on Jan 15th. This represents several milestones for us......getting into the "real Careibbean" and having some good food are two of them.
We also have busied ourselves with a lot of boat projects. We keep L'ORIENT in good shape so this never happens to us.
New relays for the generator, new fresh water pump, oil and fuel filters in the engine room..........Kirstin is making dinghy chaps. What is this, you may ask ? As the dinghy cost a preposterous $4400 to replace and it's out in the sun all the time. The most effective strategy for extending it's life is to make a snappy vest out of sunbrella..........not the easiest project, but Crabby (our dinghy) is going to love his new suit.
Oh, and we were boarded once again.........this time the French Customs and Border Protection Force. (armed just like the USCG). They inspected the boat quite thoroughly and decided our only crime was not speaking French. They were also suspicious that two people from the healthcare industry would find themselves sailing most of the year..........they obviously had never gotten sick in the US and seen the bill.
Tonight is Mardi Gras (at least in Grand Case, St. Martin). We'll be enjoying grilled Creole food and the sights and smells of this place.