Escaping from mega swell to St. Kitts
Regina
Espen Aalstad
Wed 19 Mar 2008 20:38
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17:13.3N 62:38.5W
Majors Bay St. Kitts.
Already in Antigua, we heard of big swell
(dønninger) expected from a winter storm system in the north with hurricane
winds. On arrival in St. Martin, this was the big topic among sailors in the
immigration office and in the internet cafe. We all checked for the
latest forecast and for a change all sources agreed: unusually big swell
from the north of up to 5 meters at sea and breaking up to 8 meters coming
ashore. Forecast said: 'this could become the most significant winter swell
event in years'.
Boats to other islands were canceled. Our plans for Anguilla and St. Martin's North coast
was out of the question. Touristic ports on the South coast was not appealing
to wait for calmer seas for 4-5 days - especially with visiting
cousins who has come to see more than beaches. With Espen's birthday
approaching we also wanted a more special place.
British Virgin Island was an option (though 90
nm) until the rather unfriendly and bureaucratic
immigration office would not let us check out ....'the office hours
are different for check out , you see'. St.
Kitts was in the wrong direction, but positioned nicely with a southerly
coast and would give our tourists more island experiences.
We were not concerned for the sailing as such as
the swells are long in between, but want to avoid rolly anchorages.
St. Kitts was nice cruise down as well - all cousins on deck until we
caught a barracuda. Unfortunately, we can not eat it this far north.!
  So here we are in an excellent protected southerly
bay rolling only gently - even here the big, long swell
creeps around.
A short walk to the Atlantic coast showed a
different surf: the top is expected tomorrow. look
careful how breaks are breaking far out above Elin.
 Certainly memorable birthday conditions for Espen.
Ahore also. We found a reggae bar in Cockshell Bay for a long lunch (note
sailing friends: Doyle is wrong. The 'famous' bar/restaurant has moved from
Turtle Bay. The food is indeed very good). Seems we can not escape cruise
ship tourists, but fortunately they prefer the beach and the rum punch so we
could explore alone. Just up the road we found the wild monkeys (brought
originally by English colonial ladies) among the goats and salt pond.
A huge tame boar on the beach eating
restaurant left overs, and a big eagle ray in the water has made the days for
the cousins. Ingeborg at a real rasta toilet!
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