Saturday, 17 May 2014

24. St. Lucia Jazz


I anchored next to Honey Ryder just off Pigeon Island, and the main stage for the Jazz festival. So much fun to spend time with them, catch up and hang out. We went to the Friday jump up together, we had drinks onboard with Ocean Rainbow, and lunch on Pigeon Island.  We listened to the jazz coming from the main stage. The sound checks were best. All the musicians had some stage time during the day; I heard an awesome jazz version of Rihanna’s Diamonds, with violins. On Sunday the Commodores headlined.

Honey Ryder, Pigeon Island

On Monday I checked out and sailed to Martinique. I spent the night in Grand Anse D’Arlet again. Because it’s so pretty, and because there are free mooring balls. The next morning I went to Fort de France, anchored and cleared in with customs – which is free. Everywhere should be like Martinique.

I met Steven; he’d been in France for a week racing in the Outre Mer races, near Marseilles. The next morning after laundry (my fault), and lots of supermarket shopping we headed back to St. Lucia, to Amaris in Marigot Bay.

Amaris, Marigot Bay

We got hit by a rainsquall almost immediately, heeled over 30 degrees doing 8 knots. After getting completely drenched we soon got out of the rain. We saw a whale breaching. It was great fun sailing with Steven. We raced across, getting up to 8 knots, and it took us just 7 hours to get to Marigot Bay. As we approached, dolphins swam alongside.

Dolphins, off St. Lucia

Amaris will leave now south to Grenada and then Curacao. So sad to wave them off, I’m not sure when I’ll see them again. On Saturday I will go back to Rodney Bay and meet Trinity. I’m so excited to see Karen and Robert. And then on the 20th my little sister arrives with her boyfriend for two weeks.

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