Who packed all this stuff?
18 March 2010 | St. Martin...Still here
Karen
Philippe spent most of the day on and off the boat working on the misc items needing completion. To say these guys, Serge & Philippe, are fantastic would be a colossal understatement. In every regard they are treating us like family and really making sure that the boat is ready, and everything is done the RIGHT way. We are so fortunate to be dealing with people of this character.
If anyone is looking to buy a boat...we strongly recommend using The Multihull Company - Phil Berman, and the Florida Office Manager Alexis de Bouchard. First class care and service and honest and honorable at all times. To navigate our way thru buying a boat in the French Islands would have completely defeated us mono-linguistic Americans. Alexis was, and still is, with us every step of the way, translating, giving advice, coaching and options, tips and suggestions, and seemingly having fun doing it! We feel so richly blessed throughout this whole process.
We shipped most of our gear to St. Martin in a crate. It arrived Tuesday (thank you Chris!) and was ready for pickup today - so we borrowed the marina's pickup truck and drove over to Philipsburg to collect it. The people at Igon, the receivers, could not have been more helpful..the ladies in the office were just great, and the dock guys let us borrow a prybar to crack that baby open Actually, the guys helped us open the crate ...and then helped us pack the truck as well. I have a photo from Jim's phone, but will have to figure out how to send it! We can't say enough about the local people here, very happy, helpful and warm.
9 boxes, 2 sea bags, plus 2 extra bags...5 sets of snorkel gear, linens, pillows, our sport-a seats - thank goodness! And our foul weather gear...which if I have to wear in this heat I will simply sweat myself away! 2 wetsuits and about 100lbs of tools! Plus misc other things I was certain I could not live without. Finally the piece de resistance...my new Sailrite sewing machine! I will take some time tomorrow to get it set up and see about making my first necessary item...our Quarantine flag that we must fly when we arrive at a new port before we clear customs. We'll see how it goes...as I have to get the flywheel installed first.
To all at home, we are still getting acclimatized to the heat, and I am thinking about cutting my hair completely off. We are well and happy and working hard getting prepared to head for the BVI's in a few days to meet some VERY special friends.