4/26/09 ● Not Enough of Martinique

As the season progresses, cruisers are beginning to move on. Some (like us) will stay on their boats through the summer and we may meet them farther on down island. Others are having their boats hauled out and will return to their homes in North America or Europe. Before we proceed south, we decided on one more visit to Martinique. Having met the tax deadline in Rodney Bay, we weighed anchor and sailed to Cul-de-Sac du Marin. This is another popular cruising destination for boaters because of its sheltered anchorages and the many, many boat services available here. Rather than anchor near Marin among hundreds of other boats, we chose a spot Bill remembered from his earlier trip here. It was tricky getting into but once there, very rewarding. Surrounded by mangroves and fairly isolated, we had the anchorage virtually to ourselves and enjoyed peaceful days, skinny dipping and quiet starlit nights. We also enjoyed the company, once again, of Heiner and Marleyne on La Buena Vida, anchored near Marin. At their instigation, we rented a car and had a wonderful day touring all of Martinique.

Before our return to Rodney Bay we wanted to visit Ste. Anne. With Pam in the rigging to guide us through the shoals, we carefully maneuvered out of our secret lagoon and spent to lovely days exploring Ste. Anne. One enjoyable night we dined on a beach front terrace, watching the sun set over Diamond Rock and the rugged southern coastline of Martinique.

Photos: On the way up to Mt. Pelee; Songbird & Cows in the lagoon; Rest spot on way up Mt. Pelee; Mt. Pelee in the clouds; l'Aieron, at the base of Mt. Pelee; the folks on S/V La Buena Vida - Heiner & Marleyne; Depaz rum distillery; Pam & Bill in front of 100-year-old rubber tree (too big to capture w/our camera; Songbird in her private lagoon anchorage.