5-20
Martinique, unlike other French islands which are territories, is actually a part of France. As we traveled along the north west coast of Martinique we passed Mount Pelee and we could see the path of destruction from the eruption 108 years ago. We arrived in St Pierre around noon and cleared in. The Museum in St Pierre is dedicated to the volcano of 1902 and the nearly 20,000 people that had not fled the town and perished. For over a month there were rumblings and ash spewing out over the area, yet only 1/3 of the town fled to safety. At the time St Pierre was the main hub of Martinique and known as the Paris of the Caribbean. Three days after the destruction a group from the Cathedral were looking for salvageable items when they found the sole survivor, an imprisoned murdered , locked in his cell. This man eventually made it to the U.S. and worked for Barnum Circus as one of the side show freaks because of the extensive burns on his body. After visiting the museum we walked about town, picked up our baguette and headed back to the boat. A dinner of wine, cheese, and the bread had us turning in early. Thank goodness we did because at 5 am a local fishermen was pounding on our boat and asking us to move as we were in his fishing area. At least that is what we got out of the conversation as he spoke no English and we speak no French. Well I can't say that I speak no French... I can order a glass of wine and ask where the bank is, I can also ask to purchase a ticket for the tram.....but as I said....He wanted us to move.

　

5-21 Having our anchor up and now wide awake we decided to move south to For De France, the Capitol of Martinique. The main anchorage is right at the foot of the majestic Fort St Louis. What a great day we had walking among the narrow streets and cobblestone pedestrian mall. Of course there was also a craft and produce market as all these french town have. Today is the celebration of the Abolition of Slavery and tonight will be a concert at the waterfront so we moved three miles across the bay to Anse a l'Ane. A beautiful beach and vacation area, there are about a dozen boats here in the harbor. On our second day here Silverheels joined us, it is always nice to have someone around that speaks English! We tried to take a bus to the interior one day and waited about an hour at a bus stop. I tried to ask about buses and finally found someone who spoke a little English and said the buses do not come down the road near this harbor anymore.

5-24 Today we pulled anchor and sailed 3 miles south to Anse d'Arlets. A picturesque village surrounding a perfect white beach. An absolutely charming church stands proudly at the center of the village. Snorkeling is good here and we hope to jump in the water this afternoon.

5-25 What a rolly night we had! Up at 5 and left for Sainte Anne at first light. Another picture perfect seaside village. We have walked the town and up to a great overlook that has a shrine anad stations of the cross. Narrow streets and quaint shops with fresh bread everywhere. Today we took a bus to a large supermarche and had so much fun, they have food items here I have never seen.

5-28 Again, I think that this could be a perfect place to spend some time. Everything a cruiser could want or need is close at hand. Even the big supermarkets are close to water and have dingy docks. The french islands are so neat and clean and everything is very reasonably priced. We really do hate to move on but then again - there is so much more to see.