March 2020

After leaving Le Goyave, which was a bit of a dull place, but very safe, we went for the Pigeon Islands. Should be good snorkeling and a nice anchorage according to some sailors we spoke.

It is a long trip and we will be anchoring in Bouilante for the night. Then the next day it will be a short trip to Pigeon Islands, so we can arrive in the morning. It can be a busy place and arriving in the morning should be an advantage.

The islands are very small, but the wildlife beneath the surface is wonderful. Lots of fish and corals.
We had tied the dinghy on a buoy and swam the last part.
On a small beach we took a breath when Ellen suddenly said: “I do not see our dinghy”. I was not alarmed at first, because I knew I had tied her up very well, but I must admit, I did not see it either. Then I saw it floating away from our buoy. I had my flippers on so I good make some speed. Completely exhausted I reached the dinghy to discover that someone else had moved it to another buoy.

But still no turtles. Ellen had read that there could be turtles at a small beach nearby. Beach Malendure. We took the dinghy out there and went for a short trip snorkeling. Then, finally I spotted two turtles!

Indeed a nice spot and we stayed for a couple of nights.
Further up the coast lies the famous beach ‘Plage de Grand Anse’.  Famous of its white wide sand and of course the television series ‘Death in Paradise’. Just in front of it is a small bay with a picturesque village Deshaies, also famous because of this tv series.

Ellen did recognize several places. The Police station and several small houses. The bay is small but there are several buoys you can use, so enough space. Because of the secluding bay we had no swell. That is nice for a change. In the Caribbean Islands it can be hard to find an anchorage which is calm. To our surprise the water was at times quit clear and again we saw some turtles. And then also a nice view of this little town. So we stayed for a couple of days. Took a walk up the hill to Jardin Botanique de Deshaies, with lushfull trees, birds and a Restaurant Panoramique.

We did some snorkeling and enjoyed the little town.

And of course we spend a day at this famous beach. Finally a beach as I imagine the Caribbe would be all over.

Now our time together was getting to an end and we had to plan our trip back. Ellen will be leaving the 16^th of March flying from Point a Pitre. We discovered by car a nice place nearby, Le Gosier. Lots of boats on anchor behind a small island. So from there we could take a bus to the airport.
A nice sailing trip accept for the bumpy night stay at the South tip of the island. The next day we went on to Le Gosier.

Here we realized that this virus was getting pretty serious. It was even uncertain for Ellen if she could get back. At first we did not realize this, thinking it will not reach the Western World. But it did and here lots of cruiseliners are visiting the islands.

First Ellen received a text message about canceling her flight, but then it became clear it was a reschedule. So far so good. If she could not manage to get home, she could be stuck here for weeks. Also it was not certain if she would reach her destination. I mean France was getting closed completely.

But all went well. When we came to the shore, more people where leaving for the airport and she could slide in with a small group in a shared taxi.

A breathing mask was a prerequisite. A bit of a quick goodbye though after two months. Two wonderful months and suddenly these where gone and a strange situation all over the world.

I have to reschedule my plans drastically. I thought going North to visit some more islands and after that go South to Grenada before the hurricane season starts, but all that will have to change now.

The boat is safe here, so I will have to wait and see. I mean not safe for the hurricanes, that starts around June, but for wind and swells. Grenada is only 250 Nm away, so no worries.

This is a great place by the way. Crystal clear water all the time, not much rain and a beautiful island in front of me. Some reefs to snorkel. Sometimes you hear the waves breaking on the reefs. If you need to be in quarantaine, this would definitely be a first choice.

It is allowed to do go to the groceries, but that is it. People take it all very seriously. No one on the beaches. At normal times this place is quit busy, but now it is very quiet. Every day a boat of the Gendarmery or Coast guard sails around. One day they came to my boat asking if everything was okay. That is nice!

Don’t know how long this all will take, but I will have to wait it out. Well I’ve got lots to do and the weather seems stable for the forthcoming days.  And very happy with my solar system and watermaker. I can tell you.

As soon as anything changes I will let you all know, but it can take a while.

Take care you all!

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