Juffa

Juffa is heading south after leaving the USA.

15 December 2017
10 November 2017
18 September 2017
28 June 2017
01 June 2017
20 March 2017
18 March 2017
15 February 2017
11 December 2016
24 November 2016
11 November 2016
24 October 2016
12 August 2016

St Laurent de Maroni, French Guiana

18 July 2016
Saint Laurent de Maroni is a border town between French Guiana and Surinam (opposite Albina in Surinam). It was formerly the arrival point for prisoners who arrived at the Camp de la Transportation, many destined for Isle du Salut. The convicts provided a free workforce and built the official buildings starting, of course, with the jail. Dotted through the melange of architecture the old buildings are a mix of fading colonial grandeur and functional penitentiary style. Fortunately drainage systems were part of the overall plans and mosquitos are few in number.

The importance is highlighted as there’s no shortage of rain. Temperatures increase from sunrise until the blackness of mid-afternoon thunder clouds encroach. Water catching isn’t difficult with tanks filled in a few hours. The wetness and humidity doesn’t do much for inhibiting mouldiness unfortunately so tried and tested methods of de-moulding are back. Nevertheless, the decks are shiny and salt-free. All winches, furlers, ropes and blocks are thoroughly flushed with copious quantities of fresh water so all is good on board.

With the return to French Overseas Territories comes the joys of baguettes, rather nice cheese and of course, Bonne Maman jam, reasonably priced red wine plus internet coverage that is largely uninterrupted…or at least that’s the theory. The daily thunderstorms and vast quantities of rain water do occasionally impact on the availability of connectivity. However nothing electronic has been destroyed in its safe place - the oven - yet.

Local ferries or pirogues transport people the short distance across the river, to and from Surinam, usually without the cumbersome administrative processes that are incurred in cross border movement (which we in the UK may well soon come to know and love once again….). The French/English dictionary has become an important accompaniment to forays ashore. Portuguese has been forgotten (although never terribly well established it has to be said) yet Spanish is still flowing with our neighbours, Rusalka of the Seas (actually their English is amazing and our gesture language has improved marginally). It does seem that although our confidence in French is greater than our competence we are able to accomplish the basics - i.e. purchase the previously mentioned lovely French comestibles.

The anchorage is well protected by an interesting array of semi-sunken wrecks, slowly evolving into complete ecosystems with the range of tall tree canopy and shade inhabiting plants. The ‘whoop-de-do’ bird makes itself known with its distinctive call but sadly it has remained elusive so its true identity is still something of a mystery.

Arriving the day before Bastille Day, celebration preparations were underway. Gazebos housing the South American traditions of loud music and party time cluttered the shores while the booming base reverberated through the boat. The next day more sombre reflections took place with flags hung at half mast while the French Forces paraded, remembering the terrible carnage at Nice.

Ominous clouds are gathering so it is time to post this blog before we get wind battered, washed away or zapped.
Comments
Vessel Name: Juffa
Vessel Make/Model: Fountaine Pajot, Lavezzi
Hailing Port: Portsmouth, UK
Crew: Bill and Caroline
About: We sailed from Portsmouth UK, in March 2011.
Juffa's Photos - Main
40 Photos
Created 13 January 2018
17 Photos
Created 15 December 2017
19 Photos
Created 28 November 2017
21 Photos
Created 11 November 2017
13 Photos
Created 11 November 2017
26 Photos
Created 18 September 2017
15 Photos
Created 7 July 2017
20 Photos
Created 26 June 2017
24 Photos
Created 1 June 2017
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Created 15 May 2017
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Created 20 April 2017
22 Photos
Created 26 March 2017
35 Photos
Created 4 January 2017
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Created 11 December 2016
16 Photos
Created 24 November 2016
13 Photos
Created 11 November 2016
18 Photos
Created 24 October 2016
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Created 10 September 2016
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Created 19 July 2016
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Created 17 July 2016
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Created 30 June 2016
27 Photos
Created 20 May 2016
11 Photos
Created 8 May 2016
32 Photos
Created 20 April 2016
28 Photos
Created 3 April 2016
10 Photos
Created 5 March 2016
34 Photos
Created 2 March 2016
13 Photos
Created 20 February 2016
16 Photos
Created 26 January 2016
19 Photos
Created 27 December 2015
35 Photos
Created 10 December 2015
5 Photos
Created 21 November 2015
9 Photos
Created 17 November 2015
29 Photos
Created 1 November 2015
22 Photos
Created 1 October 2015
6 Photos
Created 26 September 2015
10 Photos
Created 11 September 2015
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Created 25 August 2015
8 Photos
Created 15 August 2015
19 Photos
Created 16 July 2015
18 Photos
Created 19 June 2015
21 Photos
Created 15 June 2015
17 Photos
Created 11 June 2015
19 Photos
Created 16 May 2015
16 Photos
Created 3 May 2015
49 Photos
Created 17 April 2015
13 Photos
Created 10 April 2015
15 Photos
Created 8 April 2015
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Created 8 April 2015
4 Photos
Created 24 March 2015
15 Photos
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Created 23 February 2015
25 Photos
Created 3 February 2015
22 Photos
Created 16 December 2014
7 Photos
Created 16 December 2014
34 Photos
Created 23 November 2014
40 Photos
Created 18 November 2014
11 Photos
Created 9 November 2014
13 Photos
Created 25 October 2014
20 Photos
Created 17 October 2014
39 Photos
Created 14 October 2014
20 Photos
Created 14 October 2014
16 Photos
Created 30 September 2014
24 Photos
Created 18 September 2014
20 Photos
Created 4 September 2014
10 Photos
Created 2 September 2014
12 Photos
Created 2 September 2014
11 Photos
Created 23 July 2014
14 Photos
Created 27 June 2014
20 Photos
Created 21 June 2014
14 Photos
Created 21 May 2014
18 Photos
Created 2 May 2014
20 Photos
Created 23 March 2014
10 Photos
Created 2 March 2014
13 Photos
Created 15 February 2014
9 Photos
Created 4 February 2014
7 Photos
Created 26 January 2014
Sydney Harbour
20 Photos
Created 8 January 2014
12 Photos
Created 26 December 2013
First Impressions
13 Photos
Created 21 December 2013
12 Photos
Created 21 December 2013
13 Photos
Created 8 December 2013
Las Perlas
16 Photos
Created 30 November 2013
San Cristobal
39 Photos
Created 30 November 2013
From the Perlas to the Galapagos Islands
15 Photos
Created 30 November 2013
Arriving in Hiva Oa, and Hananoamoe
27 Photos
Created 30 November 2013
Fatu Hiva
20 Photos
Created 30 November 2013
Nuke Hiva
35 Photos
Created 30 November 2013
Apataki
37 Photos
Created 30 November 2013
13 Photos
Created 30 November 2013
12 Photos
Created 30 November 2013
30 Photos
Created 30 November 2013
Arriving and first few days...and leaving for New Caledonia
26 Photos
Created 30 November 2013
New Caledonia
20 Photos
Created 30 November 2013
14 Photos
Created 29 November 2013
San Blas Islands
13 Photos
Created 29 November 2012
Panama Canal
10 Photos
Created 18 November 2012