February 5/06 – St. Vincent and St. Lucia

Rick (another brother) and Sharon arrived on the ferry from St. Vincent on Friday night. It’s good to have them aboard again. Captain’s log for today (Sunday): “Decided the weather was right to make the crossing from St. Vincent to St. Lucia today. A little rough across the Bequia Channel, pleasant sail up the west side of St. Vincent, then the full blast across to St. Lucia. Motorsailed all the way because wind was on the nose (italics added). Took a mooring at the base of the Pitons in the same place as 2001. Still the same price – EC $40 for the mooring and EC $15 for the boat boy”.

Even Stugeron pills didn’t prevent Orma’s mal de mer today. Sharon and Cliff enjoyed the 53-mile ride. Some of the water we are taking over the bow in the rough seas seems to be finding its way inside. We will try covering the windlass and closing the valves to the forward head next time.

We had a lovely smooth motor trip north along the west side of St. Lucia from the Pitons to Rodney Bay. En route we went in to Marigot Bay, where we checked into Customs and Immigration and had lunch ashore. This would be a lovely little spot except for the condo construction ashore and the crowded anchorage. We then motored on to Rodney Bay in the afternoon, and anchored off the beach near Pigeon Island. What a gorgeous spot! Rick and Sharon were in the water (their favorite place) ASAP, then we dinghied ashore to watch the sunset from the beach.

The next day we motored into the big, very busy and crowded lagoon, anchored, and went ashore to do some shopping. We found the best supermarket since Margarita and loaded up on a great selection of fresh meat, produce and groceries, at quite reasonable prices. Rodney Bay seems very American, with many condos and fancy homes along the lagoon. No wonder many cruisers arrive here and never leave.

We returned to the anchorage near Pigeon Island to enjoy the clean water and beautiful sunsets. On Tuesday, we went to the national park on Pigeon Island and climbed the high hills to the ruins of a British fort which protected the island from the French on nearby Martinique in the early 1800’s. The views were spectacular! That evening for dinner we dinghied to the Snooty Agouti, a slightly offbeat restaurant with an artsy atmosphere, free internet, small boutique, beautiful view, excellent food, and cheap prices! We would love to have spent more time in St. Lucia, and found it hard to leave. Maybe someday we’ll return for a land vacation.