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To Martinique
May 24, 2007

We have to be up at 6:00 this morning, which isn't too difficult as we haven't really adjusted to the time difference properly, as we're off to catch the "Wave Rider" to Martinique. There's breakfast on board of sandwiches, fresh fruit and rum punch. Apparently there is a 17 mph North Easterly wind resulting in 5 foot waves as well. The first 20 minutes or so are a bit choppy and unnerving for the non-swimmer [me], but this is a pretty big catamaran and the waves aren't too much trouble for it.

Ninety minutes later we are in Port De France and the whole place appears to be being re-built. It's as enticing as any port town I suppose... Not very. Most of the places of historic interest are almost impossible to photograph. Either because of scaffolding or the need to stand in the centre of the road to get a decent shot. We shuffle round them in double quick time, as the heat is stifling and the air quality poor, and seek solcace in a local bar with a couple of bottles of Biere Lorraine each. The food looks fantastic in this place [Oasis, opposite where the trip moors] but we've been told to save ourselves for the on board BBQ later.

Not long after we set sail again until we drop anchor in a beautiful bay for the aforementioned BBQ, which is well worth the wait. I get stuck in and take advantage of the bar while everyone has a dip or snorkels off the boat. BBQ Chicken, fish kebabs, rice, sweet potatoes and a hot lime sauce... followed by Captain Lolo's magnificent flambed bananas and ice cream.

As we set off for our next stop a big dark cloud, momentarily, looms but as we go round the headland we leave it behind and come to rest in front of Diamond Rock. An almost pointless piece of rock that has been fought over by the British and the French for years. The French once won it off the British 300 years ago, so the Captain tells us, by letting barrels of rum float ashore and waited until the Brits were too pissed to fight. It's British again now apparently. Martinique also boasts a volcano that erupted once, killing 19,000... a second time, killing 60,000 and a third killing everyone in the town, apart from one man that had been arrested the night before and imprisoned below ground! After champagne at Diamond Rock it's time to set sail back to St. Lucia.

About 5 miles from land a cry of Dolphins goes up and there they are beside the boat... yet another creature that I fail to get a picture of and I give up and just admire them hurtling in and out of the water. But, before we know it, they've gone.

Back on land we are pink from the sun, sea-breeze and salty air. We pop into Scuttlebucks for cocktails and get the bus home, stopping off at The Wall for takeaways. Fish for Sam, with salad and pink beans [pinto's I reckon] and I have Turkey, salad, rice and Ground Provision [plantain, yam, figs and breadfruit] and "It's hammock time" [You can't rock this]. Duncan is also gone as well as John and Page so it's a quiter night than yesterday.

Categories: Food & Drink, Travel

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