05-12-2011: Martinique

Just over 6 hours sail South and we were in Martinique.

St. Pierre is a charming fishing village

with a majestic mountain backdrop:

It's also a port of entry, so we found the tourist bureau

and logged ourselves in on the computer.

Next day we motored 13 miles into a 25 kt wind

arriving in the capital, Fort de France:

They no longer allow anchoring adjacent to Fort St Louis:

So we anchored near the ferry docks

Quite rolly, but pretty at night:

They have a huge dinghy dock.

Here's Dance Aweigh at anchor

as seen from the promenade by the dinghy dock:

Walked through town

& bought a bunch of boat stuff at Sea Services,

an excellent chandlery:

Did a little lunch & a little shopping:

And checked out some of the local street action:

Looking for a calm anchorage,

we moved across the bay to Trois Ilets

and anchored off the golf course:

It was real peaceful.

No swell, no roll, no body.

We rested!

Well rested, we dinghied into town for some excitement:





Hey, no complaints from me.

I like it quiet - & scenic:

Next we motored to the Anse Mitan anchorage

just around the corner.

You can see Fort de France in the background:

Anse Mitan & Pointe du Bout are essentially one resort town

with cute shops:



Cute restaurants:

And cute beach bars:

Thursday May 19 we had a lumpy 4 hour trip to Ste Anne

passing Diamond Rock en route.

Can you say Darth Vader?

Ste Anne is another pretty fishing village

with a large area for anchoring:

Love the very tidy, orderly, French towns:

If only I spoke French!

Before leaving Martinique

we zipped into nearby Marin to check out.

Never seen so many sail boats in one place!

Click on the photo to see it at higher mag:

Masts, masts & more masts.

Well, we'll miss the baguettes

but not the Euro (expensive).

We're off to Rodney Bay, St. Lucia.

See you there.