The Îles des Saintes

Our view from where we are anchored and the
view from ashore.
Literally, Islands of the Saints, simply referred to as Les
Saintes, are a group of islands within the French overseas department of
Guadeloupe. They are about 15 kilometres southwest of Guadeloupe
and as such belong to the Lesser Antilles. Their land area is 12.8 square kilometres (4.9 square
miles) and they had a population of 2,883 inhabitants at the 2005 census (down
from 3,269 inhabitants at the 1967 census). Only Terre-de-Haut
Island and Terre-de-Bas
Island are populated. Terre-de-Haut Island having a
natural harbour, guarded by Fort
Napoleon. Terre-de-Bas Island is dominated by
agriculture, including coffee, cotton, pepper, and
bananas.

As Bear was tying up the dinghy I saw this chap
next to the jetty, with some fish friends, (he is about the size of a
dinner plate), then walking on his way.
The islands were named Los Santos by Christopher
Columbus , who arrived here on All Saints
Day in 1493. The first French settlers arrived in 1648. Because of their
strategically important position, the Îles des Saintes were fought over by the
French and the British in the Battle of the Saintes; they have remained under French control since
1816.

Les Saintes are remarkable for being one of only a few islands
in the Lesser Antilles to have a white majority population, many of whom trace
their lineage back to Breton settlers, having a
strong Breton cultural influence on the island. As soon as we set foot on shore
it felt very French. The street looking both ways
felt very Breton. Administratively, the islands
are divided into two communes (municipalities):
Terre-de-Bas Island and several nearby
uninhabited islands and islets. Land area: 6.8 km². Population:
1,061 (2005 census) and Terre-de-Haut Island and several nearby
uninhabited islands and islets. Land area: 6.0 km². Population:
1,822 (2005 census).
Bear took me for lunch where we sat overlooking the bay, strange to
be in the Caribbean, sipping a glass of French Rose, hearing only French spoken
in a very French Bistro.

Beez Neez and her new pal Club Med 2, who
made her shudder when it pulled alongside to drop her anchor before dropping
back to this position.

Late in the afternoon we swam off the back of the
boat, watched the sunset and Club Med 2 put on a
light show. Skipper surveying his kingdom.

ALL IN ALL an enjoyable day, tasting a little piece of France in the
sunshine, our anchorage is particularly rolly, so we are off to
Guadeloupe tomorrow morning.
|