May 5, 2014

As planned with Mario and Francine of Leeloo, we left the mooring balls in Roseau at 0600. We motored until we got to Scott’s Head (at the end of Dominica) and then had a nice sail across the Martinique Channel with winds 12 to 15 kts, just perfect for CS’ta Time and her crew. Once in the lee of the island of Martinique, the winds were erratic in strength and direction so we sailed some times and motor sailed at other times. When we were about 5 miles from Baie de Fort-de-France, the capital of Martinique, we had 18 kts winds on the nose and washing machine-like seas. Good thing it was for just a short period. Once inside the baie, the conditions settled. We had decided to anchor at Les Trois Islets and it was a good choice. It was a very well protected anchorage. We set anchor at 1430, then Mario and Francine joined us on CS’ta Time for happy hour. We celebrated a good day.

Our last sunset in Roseau, Dominica.

 

Mt. Pelee, Martinique.

 

May 6, 2014.

Jorge and Mario dinghied to Anse Mitan and cleared Customs in the morning. Jorge also found a bakery and bought a fresh baguette for lunch. We succeeded in eating the whole thing! After lunch, Jorge and I went into the town of Les Trois Islets. After buying an ice cream (which we didn’t need) we walked to the parish church were Empress Josephine (Napoleon’s first wife) was baptized. Unfortunately the church was locked and we couldn’t get a look inside.

We then set out to visit the estate where she was raised. The map and directions were a bit sketchy so after taking the wrong road at first, we walked 5 km to get there and only 3 km back. However it was good to walk off the baguette and the ice cream! Before heading back to the boat though, we did stop and buy another baguette for supper. The French islands are heaven to the taste buds but hell on the diet!

The waterfront at Les Trois Islets.

Store with typical fish-scale tiles on the roof (manufactured here).

Parish church where Empress Josphine was baptized.

Only the foundation is left of the original house (burned down when Josephine was 3).

Original stone work of the kitchen, now the museum.

Josephine's childhood bed.

Sugar cane factory.

Road leading out of the estate.

May 7, 2014

We had made arrangements with Mario and Francine to pick them up shortly before 0800 and take the ferry from Les Trois Islets to Fort-de-France for the day. It was about 15- 20 minute ride. We visited the parish church in the downtown square where there was a memorial service being held for all police officers who had died in the line of duty in France (a service being held all over Martinique and France). Next we stopped at the market. Here we parted, arranging to meet up with Mario and Francine for lunch. We visited a library, a theater, government buildings including the police station and lots of little shops.

Approaching Fort-de-France by ferry.

Parish church, Fort-de-France.

Inside the church.

The market.

Vendor in the market.

The library.

Inside the library.

Theater.

Government building.

Police station.

A scaled down version of the one in Paris.

We met up with Mario and Francine and had lunch at a restaurant in the market. Apparently “Chez Carol” was featured on Quebec t.v. by a Canadian chef who had visited the island and was impressed by the food.

Before heading back to the ferry terminal, Francine and I bought some fresh produce, the guys went looking for oil for the boats and we surfed the net at KFC.

After supper we spent a quiet night in the cockpit enjoying the peacefulness of the anchorage.

May 8, 2014

As previously arranged with Leeloo, we weighed anchor at 0900 and headed about 8 miles south to Grande Anse d’Arlet. It was, for the most part, a pleasant sail. Right at the mouth of the bay however we got hit by a gust of wind, causing us to bury the toe rail and had a wave of water come into the cockpit! We didn’t have time to check the wind speed but here in the anchorage the wind is blowing 20+ kts. The mooring balls are free here so no need to anchor.

The plan is to leave here tomorrow morning at 0600 and make a beeline to Grenada with Leeloo. The winds are forecast to be light and waves 2’ - 4’. It is roughly 140 to 150 nm so 28 to 30 hours, arriving Saturday morning. It will be an early night!