Friday 1st December 17
Deep Bay
The day goes fast, snorkel, and walk ashore and then it is time to prepare for our night sail to St Barts, 80 miles passage. The wind is not so strong that we actually manage to fly the spinnaker for a while, until it got dark. The night is calm and we have enough wind to make good progress.
Saturday 2nd December 17
Early morning arrival in the bay outside Gustavia. It is a bit rolly in there so we decide to pick up a buoy in the inner harbour. That was an interesting exercise. Once you have fought your way inside the harbour, weaving your way through fairy small gaps between buoyed boats, you need to pick up 2 buoys, the one at the front is not so bad but securing the one for the stern is challenging without the help of the harbour master. After 15 mn, he took pity on us and came and sorted us out...guess he was busy with the super yacht who came at the same time as us.
Given that hurricane Irma pass through only 2 month ago, Gustavia does look good. Although the posh boutiques on the parade have taken a bit of a beating, they are all on their way to be open before the Christmas rush. LV, Cartier and the rest will be ready. Talking to the guy in the marina, they did only loose a few roofs and they were soon replaced. The building regulations here are very stringent so ready for any hurricane. Although he did say that it was probably the scariest night of his life. I can well believe that.
The hill above Gustavia provide a great look out on the town and its red roof as well as the outer harbour. Going back down we explore the winding little streets with more posh boutiques and restaurants. A few churches to walk around, but could not find the graveyard. Being so early in the season, it does feel a little sleepy.
At the other end of the town we find Shell beach, and full of shells it was too. Beautiful place to watch the sun go down.
