Sailing the Leeward Islands
These Islands are called the "Leeward Islands" because, in the old days, the ships would sail toward them while on a leeward course... or away from the direction of the wind.

St Maarten
Our next stop, after we left the USVI, was St Maarten, the Dutch side. There is a French side also and we went there often to enjoy the food and shop for wine, cheese and bread. The Dutch side was closer to the chandleries where could pick up the items we had ordered for our many boat projects. Local transportation was good and cheap so we enjoyed venturing out all around the island on both sides. We also reunited with more other crusiers-buddies there to enjoy a social life. We had been traveling so fast to make it to the USVI for the kid's wedding that we often didn't have a chance to socialize much. It's amazing how we seem to meet other cruisers from earlier ports and our paths cross again. It's something we look forward to doing and we don't miss old friends and family so much.

St Maarten Anchorage

Typical streen on dutch side

Saba
On our way to sail out of St Maarten we met Stewart, a 22 year old from Holland, who is working as a chef in Saba and his tales of that island were so intriguing that we changed our plans to go right there next and even gave him a ride home. Saba: this wonderful, steep rock of an island became one of our favorites. A cruiser has to really want to go there to just take a mooring and go to customs to check in. The seas were quite high the day we arrived amd launching the dinghy and motor was exciting! But, afterwards, sailing around to the leeside of Saba to anchor near the 1000 steps was nice and calm compared to the launch! Until the 20s when they built "the road", the only way to get to the village,The Bottom [which is half way up the mountains], was to climb the 1000 steps with no handrail!!! The old customs house is still about halfway up the climb. We did not choose this route...we hitchedhiked all over the island and met great folkswho gave us rides. We enjoyed getting to know the folks who live in this unusual place. We bought some small Saban lace items that the old ladies have made for years. We took a long hike halfway up the extinct volcano through the rain forest and the 230 steep steps there were enough of a climb but the views were worth it and the air was cool.

Stewart sails

Approaching Saba

1000steps, 1st part

Valley village called "The Bottom"

Lynn checks hole in tree!

Village Church

Nevis
On Nevis [nee-vis], we rented another car to take in the whole island, checking out the Admiral Nelson Museum...[not much but Chuck had just read the history of the British Navy and had to check it out]. We also scouted out old sugar mills [there are several on every island], the beaches and the mountains. In the hills.we discovered a wonderful B&B made from an intact sugar mill called "Golden Rock". It was breathtaking...so many flowers and critters. We ate lunch and wandered around this beautiful place tucked away up in the hills. The hostess taught us how to make their special Rum Punches....so, of course, we had to sample several. See USVI Page under St Croix for the RUM YUMMIES recipe we developed.

Golden Rock Mill/B&B

Lush greenery at GR

Botanical Gardens Fountain

Time for a break

Guadaloupe
Now we are getting to the French islands and their wonderful food and wine. In Deshaies, we met up with Graham and Wendy who we had met way back in the Bahamas in January. We all went shopping in Pointe a Pitre, the capitol, and enjoyed the market and buying some local foods and fish. One of our favorite anchorages was just south of Guadaloupe and part of that French state: Isle de Saintes, a cluster of terrific small islands and many nice anchoring locations. Their village of Bourges was so quaint and charming.

Chuck buys Vanilla Beans

Market Lady

Array of Spices

Array of Fishes

Fishing Boats Isle le Saintes

Dominica
Along with Saba, Dominica [dom-i-nee-ka] is another wildly favorite island. It intentionally does not to compete with cruiseboat tourism of other islands but rather it remains an eco habitat that does not impede on nature. Unfortunately, there is more poverty there but the islanders were warm and welcoming. As we go further south here the landscape is much more lush and green, as is Dominica, with an astounding number of wild spices, nuts, fruit, medicinal and culinary herbs and root veggies. With Wendy and Graham from Bravo 2 [their catamaran] we took 3 tours on the island:
A quiet, serene, dusk river tour guided by Albert;
Martin's day long island excursion to boiling volcanic springs, mountain villages, waterfalls to swim in;
And finally, with Jones, a half day Trafalgar Falls hike and historic tour in Portsmouth.
We feel like we covered Dominica better than most other islands but actually just barely got to know it.

Alberts greets us	Approaching Dominica	Pushing stuck bus!	Martin cracks coconut	View of coastal cove	Dip with Bravo2
Just a lizard	Flora	River tour	Jungle Boat	Us at falls	Falls View

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