Guadelope and Antigua Again
Eowyn
Mon 10 Apr 2006 12:36
|
The last diary posting was somewhat problematic.
As there were only a few small image files, I tried to post by Iridium, but
after 20 minutes (and £20!) I gave up and waited for the next internet
cafe.
We spent 3 days in the Saintes - it seemed to me
that most of the first day was in Yves Cohen's "Maogany", which sells unique
printed cotton garments - the credit card was duly exercised and we also
obtained the latest updates on Saintes news. Walking in the heat of the midday
sun is not the most sensible thing to do, but there was an island to be
explored!!
 Bourg de
Saintes
On Tuesday we sailed up the west coast of
Guadeloupe stopping only to snorkel in the Jacques-Yves Cousteau national park
off Pigeon Island. Onward to Deshais where we spent 2 nights. On land we visited
the excellent local botanical gardens, although I could not quite figure why
none of the many species of birds in the aviaries are endemic to the region. It
seems crazy to bring parrots from Australia when there are so many species in
the Antilles! Just as suggested in Chris Doyle's pilot book, finding the customs
officer in Deshais is somewhat hit and miss. We failed , so I left a copy of an
outward clearance form in his mailbox, wondering how the Antigua customs would
view our unstamped form. In the event after a good sail north, they did not even
look at the form!
    At the
Botanical Gardens
We had less than a week to show Jacqui the best
of Antigua yachting, but this was made much easier as the entrants for Antigua
Classic Regatta assembled in Falmouth and English Harbours. These included the
J-class "Ranger" as well as many others. We met Gord, Heather, Elizabeth and
Tommy from Tembo - last seen at Trinidad. They were great hosts on their
Beneteau 44 and we joined them for several activities.
  
Rebecca
Model Yachts
Shirley Heights at Sunset
On Sunday we spectated at the annual model yacht
races - just as competitive as the full size thing! Of course on Sunday evening
it was back to Shirley Heights for the jump-up. Monday, we plan to head back to
Nonsuch Bay before returning to Guadeloupe on
Thursday.
|