Les Saintes

Hi everyone,

We've now been in Terre de Haut, Les Saintes, Guadeloupe for six nights.  Tonight will be our last and we're now preparing to depart.  We've had a great time here with Helen and Steve of sv Cerulean.  We spent most of our time exploring the very pretty town of Le Bourg and walking up and down hills around the island.

Even the postboxes are pretty!

Le Bourg is a popular tourist town with ferries coming in and out regularly.  It's best exploring the town before the first morning ferry when it's much 'sleepier'.  Only the locals and a few tourists are out getting their daily bagettes.

Pretty town hall

Pretty church (the congregation overflows onto the steps on Sundays)

Not so pretty but still picturesque!

Posh houses on the edge of town

Extremely well-kept cemetary

One day Nic and I walked up Le Chameau, a 320m hill overlooking the anchorage and Le Bourg.  The path is pretty steep in places!  But it's well worth the effort for the view at the top.

Onward and Upward

Spectacular flowers on the hill

We made it!

And it was worth it!

Fortified lookout tower on the top

View over the anchorage, Le Bourg and the airport (RHS)

We did several other walks, most with the Ceruleans.  We visited Marigot Bay, Pains de Sucre, Fort Napoleon, Grand Anse and Anse Rodrigue.

Pain de Sucre (Sugerloaf)

View over the bay from Fort Napoleon

Grande Anse

More flora

The prettiest goat on Terre de Haut (there are many)

The airport on Terre de Haut is interesting.  Le Chameau is almost directly downwind of the runway.  So all aircraft fly their final approach immediately north of Terre de Haut, only turning onto the runway heading on short finals at about 200' agl.

Windward end of the airport at Grande Anse

We spent our stay here on a mooring since the 'anchorage' is full of them.  And they're only E11/night for a 10.4m boat which is pretty good.  The alternative was a much longer and wetter dinghy ride in and out.  The lady at the LSM office was very helpful despite her limited English - patience personified.  LSM manages the moorings, the fresh water supply, rubbish disposal, laundry and clearance services.  They also accept mail/parcels and can order from Budget Marine on your behalf.

Zen Again in Les Saintes

We regularly visited Cafe de la Marina, located at the foot of the dinghy dock.  Excellent coffee, wonderful food and marvellous Guadeloupe microbrewery beer.  The Gwada Amber ale is highly recommended.

Next stop Dominica!