At last the real Caribbean (Land of Tropical fruits and Honey)

Inga
Sat 30 Jan 2016 21:38
15 35.9N
061 27.9W

I know we are not in a hurry but on checking out of Guadaloupe I see we have been here almost a month.
We enjoyed Deshanes and then down to the small marina at Base Terre.

Had a few days in Les Saintes islands just south of Guadaloupe and enjoyed the beaches and the local town. Then motorsailed back north to Point a Pitre to get the engines 50 hour service with the agent, Fred, who turned out to be excellent. Visited the new museum dedicated to the history of slavery that is in Point a Pitre. I was not sure I would find it interesting, but it was an amazing display with good audiovisuals and short film clips. It left you with an understanding of slavery throughout the ages and especially of the Caribbean. Interesting to see at the end that they say there is more slavery in the world today than in the past!
After a rolly night anchored behind a small island we returned to the Saintes and made friend with a group from the Ocean Cruising Club - so had a social time.
We particularly liked the local hotel that had a terrace with
its views over the harbour with pelicans diving into the water right in front of you. The rum punches were excellent too.!
We waited for a period of strong winds to abate and then came down to Dominica yesterday.
Well this is a contrast. The real Caribbean as of the title. Much less sophisticated and developed but the locals are friendly and helpful. And the prices of fruit and goods in the market
are much less than the developed/French island we have been in so far. It has a charm of its own.
We have arranged a tour at 0700 tomorrow to see some of the island and the rail forest as well as previous hurricane damage, and will do the Indian river trip another day.

Brian