SAILING AROUND THE WORLD WITH SPIRIT OF ARGO

Saint Lucia: Rodney Bay (Just arrived)

Time to get moving again
Time to get moving again

Well we have broken the bonds of Martinique and headed south to the next island Saint Lucia.

SL-Goodbye Martinique

Saying goodbye to the islands east coast and the famous Diamond Mount and heading out into the channel between the islands.

Double reefing was a good idea
Double reefing was a good idea

The channel crossing was very fast with much stronger winds then predicted.  We made it from Grande Anse d’Arlet, Martinique to Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia in under 3 hours.

Hello Saint Lucia
Hello Saint Lucia

Smoother sailing in the lee of Saint Lucia’s north coast.

Famous Pigion Island
Famous Pigeon Island

Historic forts set on the peak of Pigeon Island protect the northern entrance to Rodney Bay.

Rodney Bay
Rodney Bay

We took Chris Doyle’s (Cruising Guide) and friends advice and anchored off the beach about a 1/2 mile south of the inner harbour (and Marina) entrance.

We ran into friends from ‘Lochmarin’ and they confirmed that the holding was bad close to the entrance.

Anchored off the beach resorts in Rodney Bay
Anchored off the beach resorts in Rodney Bay

It was an overcast day, but the beaches still looked golden in the light.

SL-evening beach shot 1

All beaches are public, even infront of the resorts, in Saint Lucia
All beaches are public, even in front of the resorts, in Saint Lucia

I had to stay aboard while the humans took the dingy into the inner harbour to visit their first Customs and Immigration office since coming to the Caribbean.  Martinique is a bit lapsed, and all you have to do is register your visit on line.

Well marked channel entrance
Well marked channel entrance
The Marina inside the harbour
The Marina inside the harbour

The overcast day does not show the harbour at it’s best, but it was filled with, not only the Marina, but marine facilities, water side restaurants and homes.

No worries about your dingy, you can see it from your table, at this restaurant
No worries about your dingy, you can see it from your table, at this restaurant
Perhaps you would like a waterside home with your own docks?
Perhaps you would like a waterside home with your own docks?

The Marina inside offers a safe dingy dock.

Safe place to lock your dingy
Safe place to lock your dingy

Walk through the Marinas many restaurants and cafes to Customs and Immigration.

Restaurants in Marina complex
Restaurants in Marina complex
Time to meet the government officials
Time to meet the government officials

The human’s said that the officials were not that scary!  Just lots of paperwork to be filled out in triplicate.  Oh, and I am not allowed ashore until they fill an application of importation and have me inspected by a Vet.

Ouch!
Ouch!

So they are going to hang around the harbour until they have my paperwork sorted and I have had my Vet. interview.

Not such a bad place.

SL-looking at marina from resturant

View of harbour from Marina restaurants
View of harbour from Marina restaurants

The harbour is nice, and there is another section with more restaurants and malls, but I would not want to swim in the water.

We are glad we are anchored outside off the beach.

Anchoring is free outside and the only boat boys are the fruit venders.

Anchorage in Rodney Bay
Anchorage in Rodney Bay
Too lazy to go buy fruit at the Market?  These guys will sell it to you
Too lazy to go buy fruit at the Market? These guys will sell it to you

They do not come to our boat to offer us fruit.

Could it by my award winning smile?
Could it by my award winning smile?
Or my very loud barking?
Or my very loud barking?

The human’s just do not appreciate how I save them from any ‘hassles’.

As soon as the human’s have my entry VISA sorted they will be off sight seeing.  There is a fish fry up in the local village on Friday, and a Jazz Festival starting next week, so it does not look like they will be moving very far very fast…….but you must be used to that by now.

 

Sundowner time!

Get the rum cocktails ready!

Sunset in Rodney Bay.

Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia
Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia

SL-first sun set

Too cloudy.  Still have not seen the 'green flash' yet.
Too cloudy. Still have not seen the ‘green flash’ yet.

 

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