Down in St Kitts
Irie
Sat 26 Jan 2008 22:27
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Position 17 17.57N 62 43.51W
Saturday 26th January
The last couple of days in St Martin seemed to fly
by. On Wednesday we took the bus once more to Philipsburg - this time there were
three cruise ships in and the town was bedlam. The bars and restaurants were
heaving, shops full, and the beach covered in coloured umbrellas, striped chairs
and white (or very red) flesh. The museum provided an escape for an hour - very
low key and homespun, but offering glimpses of the the Island's
history, through artefacts, pictures and people. Save for one other
couple, we were lone visitors. We then escaped, pausing only at the
nineteenth century courthouse, an imposing centre of justice providing a
lounging wall for a number of youths from where emanated a heady waft of things
herbal. Back in Simpson Bay, we had a little excitement as a boat called
Larking About dragged it's anchor towards us, narrowly passing by. Together with
another American guy, we arrested its progress by letting out loads of chain.
John the owner, later came on board to offer thanks and we shared a beer before
departing for Shrimpys 'Pot Luck'. It was a brilliant event, loads of
interesting food provided by those of the cruising community attending, plus a
chap on guitar, another playing the saxophone, and impromptu singing. We chatted
to Susan and Hale, a young couple from the States who'd chucked it in and were
cruising till the money ran out.
Thursday we moved out of the lagoon in the morning
having completed the necessary customs stuff, and then exited the bridge in the
company of a number of huge motor yachts, before motoring on round to
anchor off Phillipsburg in Groot Bay. It was sheltered, though rather rolly, and
the wind whistled down across the town. Four ex Americas Cup 12M boats now take
out parties from the cruise ships, and provided entertainment as
they tacked round us with excited first time crews. This was in stark
contrast with the inumerable jet skis haring
noisily about.
Friday morning we were up at 5.30, and off at t.30
as the dawn broke. The wind was supposed to have moved just north of east, but
in fact had some south in it, so we had a great beatl at 6.5 - 7 knots for the
40 miles to the north end of St Kitts. After an initial couple of showers the
weather cleared, and the breeze steadily freshened to 18 / 20 knots. Once behind
the island, the wind was dead on the nose, so we motored on to Bassterre, tying
up in the small marina around 3.30. It's a great contrast to St Martin - much
lower key, only half a dozen cruisers in view and the towering,
volcanic Mount Lamiunga (3792') as a backdrop .
Loads a money in St Martin, Just us and a couple of
others in St Kitts
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