Random thoughts

Random thoughts

Wednesday 21^st and Thursday 22^nd  February 2024

Recently, I’ve been feeling pretty crappy with some mystery illness.  I’ve been mostly sleeping and lying around trying to rest.  There is something particularly unpleasant about having a fever in such a hot climate. I’ve wasted enough electrons on that.

On Wednesday, we departed Fort de France for Anse Noir.  This was a small bay reputed to have good snorkeling.  We got anchored and Mike did snorkel while I had a nap.  Soon several additional boats arrived and dropped their hooks way too close to us.  As the wind was light, we were circling on our anchor.  We nearly collided with one of the other boats!  When they tried to pull up their anchor, it was under Cotinga.  We had to start the engine and motor forward to allow them to haul up their anchor!  More excitement than we bargained for. Fortunately, all but two other boats left by late afternoon and it was a quiet and relaxing evening.

Today, we motored to the south end of Martinique and then headed east to St. Anne.  We were able to sail the last section which was great.  St. Anne looms large in the boating around Martinique.  There is a very large bay with fairly shallow water (about 20ft) providing a large anchoring area.  To our astonishment, there must be over 200 boats anchored here, and that doesn't include the lagoon section up by Marin, a couple of miles away.  

When visiting Guadeloupe and Martinique, it struck me that these island are equivalent to the “Hawaii of France”.  In the middle of a cold, dreary winter the French people travel to Martinique or Guadeloupe for sun and warmth.  It’s all possible without leaving the country!  I gather that if you live on the west coast, Hawaii is the winter destination in a similar way. We aren’t sure why, but there are far more boats cruising the Caribbean than there were back in 2017-8.

Gloria

14 25.991 N, 60 53.293 W

The beautiful bay at Anse Noir. It's only 4 miles or so from Fort de France (by water) and is a very popular day-trip destination for snorkeling. Fortunately, most boats left by sun set. 

I like it when we are anchored with other no other vessels between us and the setting sun.

The unmistakable Rocher du Diamant of the south west tip of Martinique. This former volcanic plug (we suspect) stands about 300-400 feet high and has immense overhanging roofs and caves. The water is deep all around and we were able to sail between the rock and the mainland, through the Passe de Fous (Crazy Pass).

At anchor off St. Anne ( 2 minute exposure, camera on a tripod)

Ditto

Our mast at night