03/21/2011, Deshaies , Guadeloupe
Today we had a beautiful 74nm day sail from Nevis to Guadeloupe. We arrived in Deshaies at the north west end of Guadeloupe just short before 4 PM (we did have to get up at 4Am)
During the sail we passed Montserrat - (see picture) on the north end (to be sure we didn't get any of the ash on our boat ..)
The biggest task this week, is how to clean the boat .....The "only" accessible marina is in the capital and that is a buggy place .... we'll figure it out ..
Next stop on the List is one of Jill's favorites - Pigeon Island = great snorkeling
| Jan 25th - May2nd 2011 |
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03/20/2011, Charlstown Nevis
We checked out early in the morning in town (very easy procedures)
The "town" seemed empty as everybody was in church - but customs was indeed open.
10:30 Am - now what ???
Lets see if we can find some monkeys Jill said... (breakfast would be nice too Georg said)
We asked a Taxi driver at the ferry dock and he mentioned an old sugar mill for breakfast. Scam artist we first thought as he tried to sell it way to hard ...- but we did it anyway ... while looking for an ATM Jill checked with some locals to see if we could meet up with a guide to do some hiking - and it worked - he promised to be at the ex sugar mill by 11:30 Am..
The Restaurant (ex sugar Mill) turned out to be a wonderful place with astonishing gardens (breakfast was great also -Eggs Benedict ..yummy)
Promptly at 11:30 the guide showed up and we started walking up the hill ( as it turns out you really would not need a guide - but he was fun and easy going-& well worth the money)
After about an hour he had to turn back as he had another commitment ( they kind of squeezed us into their schedule) but we kept going up to a look out
- everything was great - but NO monkeys
On the way down we saw a few monkeys in the trees but way to far away to take good shots ..
So we went back to the restaurant (me for a beer - Jill for checking out the gardens) -
Guess what - as soon as Jill disappeared I saw a monkey not 20 feet away..
I could not get a good shot of it so I had another beer ( maybe that's what draws them out ???.. long shot but nothing to loose :-))
As it turns out there were lots of monkeys within the restaurant property and Jill did get the chance to take some decent shots of them...
To make a long story short - it was a great day !!!!
| Jan 25th - May2nd 2011 |
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03/19/2011, Charlstown Nevis
We have arrived in Nevis ( It's only a 10Nm run from St Kitt's)
We will need to check out tomorrow morning for our Monday 4am departure to Guadeloupe
Weather forecast looks great with winds way to the north at +-15knt just the way we like them when heading east ....
| Jan 25th - May2nd 2011 |
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03/19/2011, St Kitt's
I think we had enough of St Kitt's, therefore we'll move on this afternoon to Nevis
St Kitt's did not impress us to much - it's pretty much ruined by the cruise ship industries.
The Picture was taken in the cruise ship shopping area by a guy who forced the monkeys onto Jill and then wanted US$20 for him taking the shots .....He did get some money for it (5 EC =2-1/2 US$)
PS: I'm not sure what the monkey on right is actually looking for - food ?? are we starting to smell like people that would carry live food with them ??
- I sure hope not :-)
The government seems to pour all their money into the cruise ship dock area ( shopping stores) and that's about it.
Hopefully Nevis will be a bit more attractive :-)
| Jan 25th - May2nd 2011 |
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Anyways, Thxs Candi! Yes, they were trying to groom me:)
It was a shock ....as I was taking a photo of some musicians (Georg was walking away and did not know and could not 'protect' me) this intense pushy rasta guy scam artist came and put monkeys on me and grabbed my camera, took some shots. Georg noticed and came over as he was trying to get money. He told Georg that I asked him to do this and he said I knew a photo was $20!!?? I did not see him, ask him, speak to him... my camera was in my hand taking a photo of something else.
He was way too pushy but the monkeys were cool even the biggest one who bit my finger!
Lots of monkeys here -wild and without shirts:)
03/17/2011, St Kitts
We sailed the 35 Nm east to St Kitts
Winds at 22+ hard on our nose...
The original plan was to get a slip in the marina to clean the boat and get it ready for Kalin and his friend next week - but the marina is full - so much for the cleaning idea (It's a small marina)
Currently we are anchored just outside the marina entrance.
Actually I'm glad we didn't make it into the marina, as there seems to be a mosquito gathering happening around that area ...
The main thing to do here is a train ride around the Island but the train is only running 3 times a week - we will try to get on it on Saturday
The "plan" calls then to go to Nevis Saturday evening, spend Sunday in Nevis and then to leave Monday morning short after midnight for Guadeloupe
Today again, I was fighting the Internet - but finally got it :-)
For those who have not been reading the blog EVERY DAY since we started in Jan ..I added a high gain Wifi antenna to the boat last fall and had great success picking up free internet when sailing from Trinidad to Antigua in Nov.
Now since we moved north, where people are more aware of "hacking" and securing there wifi access points, it has gotten a lot trickier - I can usually find an open access point with decent reception - but it still wont let me go onto the internet - I'm missing something.....
I have Kalin bring me two books to help me solve the "mystery" and help me understand the basics about Wifi and LAN setups a bit better...
- Networking All-in-One For Dummies (that would be me)
- Hacking Wireless Networks For Dummies (no comment)
| Jan 25th - May2nd 2011 |
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Liebi Grüess
Barbara
Glad to hear from you and that you and family are well and Thank you for reading this one a week :) kisses n hugs â
03/16/2011, Sabe
We did take the tour of the Island in a Taxi today... NO way you would want to walk any of this.
The Island is rather strange, as everything (except the ferry arrival at 10AM) is happening up in the 3 villages - there are no beaches to hang out - It seems like the only time you go to shore is if you need to pick up / drop something at the ferry dock ...
There are three settlement connected by a road called "the road that could not haven been built"
Once inside the settlement the feeling is actually very nice and relaxed ....
There is a US medical school on the island with 420 Students - they must all be in great shape and get great grads -as next to diving or hiking there is not much to do on the island ..
| Jan 25th - May2nd 2011 |
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