Back in Les Saintes!

Posted by Liz

The weather window finally came for us to depart Sainte Anne, Martinique on Monday, February 1st. Even though we observed "Red Sky in Morning" (sailors take warning) we didn't care - we just needed and wanted to get a move on. The wind had finally calmed down and we blasted off around 6:30am. Sailed up to the northern end of the island, to Saint Pierre. Attempted to get Customs that day - but lo and behold, on Monday's, they are closed! (Typical French!)

It's kind of a joke there anyway - - you check in/out of customs at a local restaurant, called "L'escapade". You type in all of your documentation info into a computer there, print out the form, and the owner of the restaurant just rubber stamps it without even looking at anything! Have to love the French "laissez faire" attitude!

Spent the next day in Saint Pierre getting our customs stuff done, doing a little provisioning and relaxing, then took off on Wednesday, February 3rd, headed for Roseau, Dominica - where we can do some major provisioning and get our LPG tank refilled. Yucky sail inter-island - - seas were pretty high for my liking (10 ft) and a bit confused or sloppy. Even Ed felt a wee bit queasy. We were fine, just a bit uncomfortable.

Still had some high winds (hence, the higher seas), but coming from a favorable direction (east) so we actually sailed most of the way with only the jib. Probably should have put up the main for more stability, but oh well... Made it to Roseau in good time - by 1:30 - and called upon our Boat Man, Pancho, to help us out with our "chores". Ed and I agree that when you need to get things done, pay and go to a local. Pancho organized everything for us - had his wife and two adorable kids take us up to customs north of the city to check in/out, get us to the Propane factory, and also take us grocery shopping. In two hours, we were done!

Sleepless night because of the very rolly anchorage....at 7am on Thursday, February 4, we departed Roseau and sailed straight to the Saintes - - DELIGHTFUL sail!! High 6's and 7's the whole way with one reef in the main and the jib rolled out. Couldn't have been better. We had smiles on our faces the whole time, enjoying the experience, and knowing we would be warmly greeted by Les Saintes.

Got here, put the anchor down, and God, we're glad to be back! We ran into a nice French couple this morning, Marie and Jean-Paul from "Vamoose", who we met in Marin, Martinque, while waiting for the bus. We all reemarked that Isles des Saintes feels like home to us - - it just "feels good".

Had the best night's sleep last night that we've had in a long time. This morning, we took the dinghy to town to get fresh "pain au chocolate" and a baguette, and while there, the fishermen had just come in with their fresh catch! So, I bought some Wahoo and marinated it this morning in a wonderful Barefoot Contessa recipe for Indonesian fish marinade (soy sauce, ginger, olive oil, lemon zest/juice, garlic, dijon mustard). We'll cook that up on the grill tonight.

We're psyched to have Wifi/Internet again on the boat - hence, are able to make SKYPE calls to family and update our blog and get our emails. Heading into town now to Customs and to do a little hike...OH, and also, to make a stop at the Ice Cream place in town! LOVING LIFE in the Saintes.