Iles des Saintes
We awoke in the picturesque anchorage at Terre de Haut, in Iles des Saintes. Land nearly surrounded us: there were several small islands nearby, and Guadeloupe lay just six miles to the north. On shore, white buildings with red roofs decorated the lowest portions of the hills around the harbor.
This morning most of us explored Fort Napoleon, strategically positioned on a hilltop overlooking town and harbor. Lennox Honychurch guided us through the fort and museum, and we explored the botanical garden surrounding the fort. In contrast to the rainforests of Dominica, here we found cacti and other plants adapted for very dry conditions. On the hilltop we had beautiful views overlooking Sea Cloud II and the harbor.
We then enjoyed the quaint village of Bourg, where French is spoken, and Euros are used as currency. The main street is quite narrow, and some of the white wooden buildings have narrow, second story porches with decorative railings. It reminded me a bit of the French Quarter of New Orleans . . . with a tropical, French Caribbean twist.
Several of us went by Zodiac to a small, white sand beach outside of town to investigate the underwater world of Iles des Saintes. Some highlights of the many fishes we discovered were spotted drums, boldly striped and spotted in black and white. Another fantastic find of a fish was a flying gurnard. For protection, this bottom-dwelling fish spreads out enormous, blue-spotted fins that resemble wings.
Sea Cloud II lifted anchor as we were finishing lunch on the Lido Deck. A large cruise ship with electrically operated sails entered the anchorage. As we got a better look at the other ship, I think most of us were feeling very lucky and perhaps a bit smug to be on our elegant and beautiful, traditionally sailed, square-rigged ship.
We continued to the north, and in mid-afternoon Berit gave a presentation about adaptations and interesting behaviors of Caribbean reef fishes. That was followed by a swim call, for which a swim platform was lowered and floating blue mats were available. As we each climbed out of the warm water, we were offered a large towel and a glass of champagne.
Tonight we enjoyed a Maritime Dinner; each table was hosted by one of Sea Cloud II’s officers.
We awoke in the picturesque anchorage at Terre de Haut, in Iles des Saintes. Land nearly surrounded us: there were several small islands nearby, and Guadeloupe lay just six miles to the north. On shore, white buildings with red roofs decorated the lowest portions of the hills around the harbor.
This morning most of us explored Fort Napoleon, strategically positioned on a hilltop overlooking town and harbor. Lennox Honychurch guided us through the fort and museum, and we explored the botanical garden surrounding the fort. In contrast to the rainforests of Dominica, here we found cacti and other plants adapted for very dry conditions. On the hilltop we had beautiful views overlooking Sea Cloud II and the harbor.
We then enjoyed the quaint village of Bourg, where French is spoken, and Euros are used as currency. The main street is quite narrow, and some of the white wooden buildings have narrow, second story porches with decorative railings. It reminded me a bit of the French Quarter of New Orleans . . . with a tropical, French Caribbean twist.
Several of us went by Zodiac to a small, white sand beach outside of town to investigate the underwater world of Iles des Saintes. Some highlights of the many fishes we discovered were spotted drums, boldly striped and spotted in black and white. Another fantastic find of a fish was a flying gurnard. For protection, this bottom-dwelling fish spreads out enormous, blue-spotted fins that resemble wings.
Sea Cloud II lifted anchor as we were finishing lunch on the Lido Deck. A large cruise ship with electrically operated sails entered the anchorage. As we got a better look at the other ship, I think most of us were feeling very lucky and perhaps a bit smug to be on our elegant and beautiful, traditionally sailed, square-rigged ship.
We continued to the north, and in mid-afternoon Berit gave a presentation about adaptations and interesting behaviors of Caribbean reef fishes. That was followed by a swim call, for which a swim platform was lowered and floating blue mats were available. As we each climbed out of the warm water, we were offered a large towel and a glass of champagne.
Tonight we enjoyed a Maritime Dinner; each table was hosted by one of Sea Cloud II’s officers.
