One of the first things I like to do in a new anchorage and to go ashore and check things out. Wherever we go, we usually have some sort of cruiser’s guide that gives us some idea of what is in or near where we are. Here in the Antilles, we use the Chris Doyle “Sailor’s Guide to the Windwards” and his companion book: “Sailors Guide to the Leewards”. You have to take his write-ups on the restaurants and services with a grain of salt since vendors and such pay him to mention them. However, it is good to know that such places exist.

I wanted to go into the lagoon to check out the marina and the little shops and restaurants in and around the marina. As it turns out, a number of the shops and the local spa were closed because it was Monday. The high season here is really during the winter months when people come down to get out of the cold. Thus, things here are now really laid back and mellow, even more so then normal.

The Island Water World chandlery was opened and as you may know by now, I am like a kid in the candy store every time I am inside of one. It was great!

The booze store was open and they even had Triple Sec, an orange liqueur that you use to make margaritas. I just ran out the other day and have been looking to restock for a couple of months. Armed with a new bottle, I had a big smile on my face when I went and talked to the receptionist at the marina. They have plenty of space so she said we could come in any time we wished, even though our reservation doesn’t start until the 18th.

This afternoon, back on Leu Cat, we rested, played some cards and sat out the weather. A series of rain clouds passed overhead bright short bursts of rain or mist. They alternated with longer periods of sun. We must have had 5 or 6 rain showers during a 4 hour period. It was weird.