Log Entry Friday, Jan 27, 2006

Sailboat | Crew | Log | Route | Track

Special Update - Landfall Chart of St. Martin Anchored in Simpson Bay Lagoon Launching our portable/collapsible dinghy We are anchored. The dingy transports us to shore. Our first lunch in St. Martin with Karen Pat, Mike, Ted, Karen, Me(John) Voyage II ends in success. We made landfall at Simpson Bay, St. Martin at 0800 Friday morning. We had to wait until 0930 to pass through a swing bridge to get into Simpson Bay Lagoon. We were permanently anchored at 1030 this morning. We are now anchored in the lagoon on the peninsula you see on the west side of the island. The trip was better than any of us could have hoped. Throughout the trip the weather gods treated with the utmost respect and kindness. We spent most of last night trying to slow the Full Circle down to two knots so that we could time our arrival with sunrise. She had been galloping so long, she didn't know how to walk. Mission accomplished. The approach to St. Martin at night was one of the most challenging parts of the trip. There was an amazing amount of boat traffic. We dodged everything from other sailboats to cruise ships and tankers. But survive we did. Through the set of most amazing set of circumstances we found Karen. We had not been able to make phone or email contact to confirm a meeting place. After we arrived, needing to buy some additional gasoline for the outboard, we motored in the dinghy to a shore side gas station. Now get this. While filling the gas can, Karen pulls in to ask directions to the immigration offices. It was too amazing for words. After kissing and hugging, we could not stop remarking about the astonishing coincidence. Life can be so strange and fun. Karen has a small rental car so she hauled the four of us to a restaurant for lunch. We stopped at a restaurant on the Dutch side only to discover that beer was not being served because it was election day. For a hearty bunch of ocean sailors, that was totally unacceptable. We were voyagers and we needed beer, so off we went to Marigot on the French side. There is no such thing as bad French food. When was the last time you went to a Dutch restaurant? Do the Dutch know how to cook? All the crew members planned for a longer trip, so they will have a while to see the sights of St. Martin. St. Martin is half French and half Dutch. It is the most frequently visited island in the Caribbean with over one million visitors every year. You know it is popular when there are non-stop flights from Minnesota. Pat departs Jan 28, Ted Jan 30, and Mike Feb 3. You can see who was optimistic and who was pessimistic. Karen has a hotel near Orient Bay in the upper right corner of the island. We will be sleeping together tonight. The crew will have the boat to themselves. Except for a few vists from family, Karen and I will have it to ourselves for three more months. Previous | Next