Balmy weather
Irie
Sun 13 Jan 2008 00:39
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Position 10 02 151N 63 06 06W Simpson Bay, St
Martin
Saturday 12th January
The weather the last few days has been amazing.
It's been virtually calm, with no waves or swell, and nothing in the way of
showers. Last year we went into the lagoon for shelter. This is a land locked
shallow basin approached through a bridge, with anchoring in a couple of metres
of water. It's very sheltered, but a bit grubby, has a fair share of bugs and is
right under the flight path of the international airport - otherwise
perfect. This year the quiet conditions mean we've stayed out in
Simpson Bay where it's a little cooler, and the sea is an azure blue with clear
views down to the sand. This morning we conducted our fitness routine -ten
minutes kayak to the beach, half an hour's walk in the rising sun, fifteen
minutes swim and then back to the boat for breakfast and coffee - all by
8.30.
St Martin, or certainly the Dutch bit, is a
monument to mammon. There are a number of marinas in the lagoon catering to
superyachts of which there must be over 60 in residence. These are all huge
craft of 100 feet or over,about a tenth of which are sailing yachts. They are
all fully crewed, leathered and gleaming and mostly just sat there. The other
aspect of the island is the Dutch capital, Philipsburg. This is a tourist
honeytrap especially targeted at the cruise ship market, just full of retail
therapy ranging from erzatz local kitch to the most expensive designer brands.
Today there were no ships in and it was relatively peaceful. Tomorrow there will
be five large liners disgorging their unsated hordes and it will be
hell.
Having said all that, Sint Marteen (as this bit is
known) has grown on us. We've been able to buy lots of bits for the boat that
have been on a loose list for ages. Prices are pretty good as it's
duty free, people are kowledgeable and helpful,and there's cheap and easy
transport. It's quite refreshing to be in a larger centre of population for a
change, especially as there are no immediate deadlines. Tomorrow we're going to
France - actually a dinghy trip across the lagoon to St Martin (San Martan) and
the French capital Marigot - a cultural dissection of which
available in the next bulletin!
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