2024-12-29 Guadeloupe - Lindsey visit

Sunday we sailed north to Pointe-a-Pitre Guadeloupe.  Had a nice sail.   There is a very nice mooring field in Pointe-a-Pitre so we were happy to pay the $52 for 4 nights on the mooring ball.

We headed into town on Monday, and saw the sights, had lunch out, and got groceries.

Marina Christmas decorations

Touristy area near the marina

Walking downtown - Dean said the tree had a big butt

Pointe-a-Pitre has more of a Parisian feel than other towns

Church in large open square

Inside of church

Downtown narrow streets

Shopping district was very busy with everyone out before Christmas

Lunch - easy and cheap - but not delicious.  

High rise buildings downtown

Near the downtown dingy dock

There was not a great dinghy dock near downtown.  We found a nice dock to tie up to at the yacht club, but the yacht club was closed, so we had to use the pallet that was leaning against the fence to climb over - which is why the pallet was there.  On the way back, the yacht club gate was open, so that was much nicer.

Tuesday we went into town to look for a boat part.  There are about 5 chandleries right at the marina.   We found on part, and on the way back saw that this large catamaran had a little accident.   They were working on the mast hydraulics, and must have lost a shroud.  Luckily no one was hurt, and they did manage to get the mast upright again.

On Christmas day, we had a relaxing morning, and then in the afternoon, our niece Lindsey flew in to join us for the week.  She brought us some stuff we ordered on Amazon, and also two precious blocks of Tillamook cheese.  She wrapped them up in Christmas wrapping paper - so it was fun to have something to unwrap on Christmas.

Kris unwrapping the cheese

The next morning, we left Pointe-a-Pitre and headed south to Les Saintes.  Had an OK motor sail.  Encountered a large cruise ship coming in as we left.  Pointe-a-Pitre had cruise ships coming in and out regularly, and it is also a major port, with container ships coming and going as well.

We gave them plenty of room in the channel.

In Les Saintes, we walked the town of Terre-de-Haut, and had a nice lunch out, then that afternoon headed out for a nice snorkel.

Touristy main street in Terre-de-Haut

Beautiful plant, but don't brush up against it.  It was sitting in the middle of the sidewalk

A narrow walkway, Dean had to turn a bit sideways.

We headed out to Islet a Cabrit to snorkel, and we were not disappointed.  It was finally some decent snorkeling

Lindsey coming up from a deep dive

An octopus and a fire worm were our snorkel highlights.

The next morning, we headed up the hill to visit Fort Napoleon des Saintes.  It was never used, and is a nice museum, with a garden and beautiful views.

What would a fort be with a cannon

Entrance is decorated for Christmas

View looking East

View looking Southeast

Many beautiful plants 

Harbor view, we are out of sight anchored close to land in middle of photo

Had never seen a spiral cactus before

The fort

After the fort tour, we had a nice lunch onboard, and then decided to sail north.

Kris and Lindsey, reading books while eating lunch

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Had a beautiful sail up to the Vieux Fort Lighthouse, where we anchored briefly, while Dean and Lindsey snorkeled around the lighthouse area.  Then we headed further north and anchored near Pigeon Island in the Jacques Cousteau reserve.  

Next midday we headed out by dink to Pigeon Island to snorkel.  Had good visibility, and although there were lots of folks out snorkeling and diving, it was not too crowded.

Lindsey helped Kris scrub the waterline when we got back to the boat, and we spent a relaxing afternoon on the boat. That night winds shifted NE, so we all got a minimum of sleep with the rolling of the boat, so early in the morning we headed to Deshaies and got a mooring.  Still rolly, but calmer.    We have to go to Antigua on Monday, might be a motor sail, for Lindsey to catch a flight back home.