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March 2006 |
ST.Christopher (Kitts) to Guadeloupe
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Author: Benjamin Ray |
I started this trip in Luperon in the Dominican Republic, my fifth time on board Little Swan.
This report is from my final 3 weeks.
While the Swiss Team was sailing with Little Swan, Gry and I hang out on the Paradise Island of Saba, rejoining LS again in St.Kitts.
One thing I have loved about this part of the Caribbean is all the British and European (Naval) history, not something to be proud off, but fascinating all the same.
St.Kitts and Nevise, Montserrat (remembered for the volcanic eruption of 1955 ) Antigua have preserved their historical connections: Brimstone Hill Fort, sugar plantations, Nelsons Museum, Falmouth Bay and English Harbour to name a few. |
Sailing the coastal waters here doesn’t take much to imagine the scene from the times of Frigates and Men of Wars….!
The underwater scene has generally been great too.
Swimming and snorkeling in Bays and around headlands with visibility of 10 to 20 meters (35 to 70 ft) guarantees some interesting sights! Turtles, Rays, Cuttlefish and a live Conch, along with the colourful plethora of reef fish have all been memorable.
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Reef Fishes |
Flying Fish |
Happy Rum Runners |
Because the trade winds have consistently blown from the east we have mostly cruised down the west coast of these islands which is in the lee of the islands and therefore calmer with less Atlantic swell. This means missing out on a whole east side.
In Guadeloupe I had a road adventure to the impressive Point des Chateux on the far eastern headland.
Back on the calmer west coast we anchored next to the Cousteau Marine Park looking for a potential dive side. We found a discarded fishermen’s net floating near the marine park. Investigating the mangled net we saw a nice Angel fish completely trapped in the net.
Gry’s saying of the week was, “shall we help him or eat him”? She managed to help him out of the net and he swam happily away.
The underwater scenery around Pigeon Island was average and we just snorkeled around a bit..
Now we have made it to the pretty Iles les Saintes just south of Guadeloupe and enjoying Croissant and pain au chocolate for breakfast.
It is good bye again to Toni, Gry and Little Swan as I fly back to Norwich to earn some money for my next adventures. |
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