We were advised to check in on the French side for better rates. But even though entry and mooring fees are listed in the guides, we were never charged a cent for administration or anchoring during our entire time spent here.
Choices of anchorages were either the large lagoon in the middle of the Island with access canals out both sides of the Island, or in a somewhat open Marigot Bay on the NW. We chose the latter as we wanted clearer waters to run the watermaker after a needed repair. Surprisingly, we found the needed part when we dinghied to Dutch Sint Maarten and were back in business making water.
Watermaker repair
On our second day, we were pleasantly surprised to see a boat from the distant past that we had sailed many a mile with. We first met Rene and Cheryl on SV Gyspy Blues in Nuku Hiva (Marquesas) back in 2012 and shared many anchorages with them all throughout the "coconut milk run" and down in New Zealand! It was great to catch up and share our sailing adventures and reminisce over cocktails and meals.
Gypsy Blues invited us along on a tour of the Island where we saw evidence of the devastation dealt by the direct hit of Hurricane Irma in September of 2017. This was the strongest Atlantic hurricane since records were first kept in 1851. And then in the next 2 weeks Hurricanes Jose and Maria also hit!!
Caribbean colours on our tour
They didn't return
What's left of a marina in a preferred hurricane hole!
Marigot Bay was once full of lovely boutiques and shops but we noticed most places were permanently shut down.
95% of all buildings were damaged, and of 1,000 boats impacted, 500 were total wrecks. We dinghied past wrecks on rocks, on beaches, and in the clutches of the mangroves. Others didn't make it far and sank right on their moorings or at the dock. Boats in yards were toppled and we heard stories of large catamarans lifted up and flipped over like a rag in the wind.
High and dry
Some worse than others
On Jordan's wish list was to see the planes that come in for landing and takeoff at the somewhat famous Kerosene Beach (yes the name also refers to the smell). The end of the runway is right up against the fence and beach. Jets make extremely low approaches at times, barely clearing the fence and the takeoffs have careless spectators blasted.
Words say it all
A blast at the beach
The blast is so strong it kicks up a slew of beach sand and dust and can literally blow you off your feet. Hang on!
Back to boats, a beauty we saw docked at Sint Maarten was this mega yacht belonging to Mrs. Steve Jobs...
Nice toy
How great to see Rene and Cheryl. We saw them too when we were there. In fact, we were having trouble getting new house batteries we wanted in the Caribbean and Rene set us up! We enjoyed a nice evening out with them. If you are still there....say hi from us! Batteries still going strong.
ReplyDelete