17:54.01N 062:51.22W Wow, wow, wow. We anchored in 7 meters of water in the harbour. The water was an amazing blue and we had turtles popping their heads up all around us. There was some enormous luxury yachts moored off in deeper water, even their tenders were something else! (Attached photo of Bromnovitch yacht Eclipse second largest in the world apparently $1.5bil!) We took our tender (ok dingy) into port passing line after line of yachts all gleaming in the sunshine looking more like cruise ships. This should have been a bit of a clue that we really couldn't afford to touch anything within the collection of boutiques and jewellers, but again it was fun to people watch and enjoy the atmosphere. We had an amazing Thai meal on our first night at Black Ginger, I made the biggest faux pas of asking if they had a house white, she smirked at me through ridiculously white teeth and with skin like porcelain replied 'no, not in St Barts Madam' well, that told me! Another memorable evening and incredible meal was at the recently opened Orega Japanese/french fusion, Greg the co owner and manager was so enchanting and enthusiastic about everything on the menu, he was a real delight, we all thoroughly enjoyed our first Japanese experience. I had to see a doctor about my knee as it was getting worse, I now cannot bend it, so it's now in a major splint, as ive busted my ligaments...scan booked next week in St Martin....if nothing else it gives the beautiful people something to snigger at whilst watching me try and get in and out of the dingy! Lol
We hired a mini convertible and drove around the island stopping at Baie St John, now that was the most stunning beach. We had to sit and have a coke at Nikkys bar/restaurant where they hired out sun beds complete with fresh towels to the beautiful people for €100 a day, gave me a few ideas for Port Soif! Lol. We found our way to Shell Beach next to Gustavia Marina where they had a car valet service as there was very little parking in the area...most classic comment from Clare 'we've only had the car half a day, surely it doesn't need at valet yet?'! Shell Beach was the place to be, we all really loved our time there. James and I treated ourselves to haircuts at Wanda and met Maude who was really friendly and chatty.
