 |
| A brand new Yanmar is lowered into Wereda |
with my return to Wereda on Jan
15. The work on the new engine
installation was well advanced by then but had to wait for my yard to get a crane to drop the engine in. In the meantime a lot of other
 |
| TOBY Flea market allowed me to sell tons of stuff |
work had to be done like washing the fuel, prepare the mast (and fix the tricolor light), buy a new dinghy and sell all unused or unnecessary equipment to open up the living space on Wereda.
Monthly flea market at TOBY
 |
| Wereda at the dock after new engine "sea trial" |
accomplish that. By the time
Ginger arrived, Wereda was quite transformed but that was only the beginning. Other changes were being implemented such as new mattresses for our
bunks, new sun covers etc.
We stayed in the TOBY small marina for a bit longer so we could explore St. Martin's many wonders. March 2, Marigot was celebrating its annual Carnival day with a colorful parade weaving through the streets around the city wit us following all the way. We also took our new dinghy to cruise around the Simpson Bay Lagoon and also ventured out to the Simpson Bay. We took a jetski trip to the Creole Rock near Grand Casse, and numerous bus trips including one to Grand Casse, the Pinel Island and Philipsburg where we participated in the festivities
celebrating conclusion of
the famous Heineken Regatta .
On March 15, Wereda set sails on the way to Road Bay, Anguilla, some 12 miles from Marigot. While on our way we made a stop, and a small ceremony of scattering my Mom's ashes was held.
An hour later we dropped the anchor in Road Bay and proceeded ashore to clear-in. We have spent over a week in Anguilla. The beach in Road Bay is lined up with bars, restaurants and clubs, and live music can be enjoyed at almost any time there.We visited the Sandy Island, just a couple of
miles from Road Bay. It was
such a great day - relaxing on
a white sand beach and swimming in crystal clear water. A convenient restaurant and bar provided additional, more
down to earth pleasures.
Also, with a rented car we were
able to tour the whole island
of Anguilla. We enjoyed the most the beaches and underwater life at the Shoal Bay.
After our return to St. Martin
Ginger went back to Houston
just for a few weeks.
Meantime, my two high school
friends, Andrzej and Robert
arrived for their six week vacation in the Caribbean that included four weeks on Wereda. After a couple of days in Marigot we sailed to Grand Cas where they were able to rent a nice beach house for their off the boat weeks.
Two days later we sailed to Anguilla for a whole 10 days of fun and sun.
While in Road Bay, the guys befriended Dad's Bar and Grill owners - Delbert and his wife Alex. We invited them to visit Wereda and they came over bringing along their daughter Delicia.
While earlier here in Anguilla
Ginger and I visited Dad's Bar
and Grill many times and liked
it very much. Here you can read more about the place: DAD's
We also rented a car so we could see more of the island. It was also the Easter weekend approaching and there were a lot of things going on - Festival Del Mar as well as the opening of boat races season that is something one does not want
to miss. We went to the St. Gerard's Catholic church to visit it's Polish pastor Fr. Paul (Pawel Czoch).
Fr. Paul received us cordially and even though it was a busy time for him, we were able to chat for a while, while
sipping coffee and cold juices.
It turned out that he was also friends with Fr. John from the St. Ursula's church in Virgin Gorda.
Sailboat racing is a national sport of Anguilla. They race the Class A, handmade wooden, full keel boats with hand rolled jibs, long boomed mainsails and are crewed by 14 sailors.
And, of course, we've made an
obligatory trip to Sandy Island.
Click HERE to see more pictures
from my friends stay on Wereda.
Finally it was time for us to go back. On April 22 we left friendly Anguilla and sailed to St. Maarten's Simpson Bay where we stayed for a week exploring the Dutch side before returning to Marigot on the 29th.
With the return of Ginger, the guys disembarked Wereda and moved to their beach-side apartment in Grand Casse.
Ginger and I sailed to Grand Casse on our way to St.
Barth's and spent a couple of days there and made plans to get together in St. Barths (a former Swedish colony) where Andrzej and Robert would go to by the ferry.
Weather turned rainy and seas
were choppy on our way to St.
Barth's. We've made an overnight stop at Ile Fourchue and next morning arrived at Gustavia in St. Barths. All mooring balls were private and there were no room to drop the anchor near the town so we finally anchored in 50ft of water and very rolly seas.
Luckily, during clearing-in we
were offered a mooring in the
harbor. An hour later we were
securely tucked in and ready
to go in town. And so we went.
Monday, May 12, the ferry boat
brought our two friends from
Marigot and we set out on an
island tour by a local taxi. The
weather was still unsettled and
our attempt to stay on the Nikki
Beach was rudely interrupted by
heavy downpour, so we sought
and found shelter at the nearby
bar. The rest of the day was spent walking and goofing
around in Gustavia and a swim at the Shell Beach as the weather improved. It was time to say
good-bye as Andrzej and Robert
boarded the ferry to return to
St. Martin.
For the next few days Ginger and I were splitting our time between sightseeing and lounging on the Shell Beach (Grands Galets) which
is only a few minutes walk from
the dinghy dock.
May 15th marked the 1st anniversary of my Mom's passing. We celebrate Her memory by living the way She had lived - to the fullest.
On May 18 Wereda left Gustavia's harbor and sailed to the Anse de Colombier where we picked up a mooring ball
not far from the ruined small dock at an entrance to the now abandoned Rockefeller family mansion.
On May 28, we left St. Barth's and sailed back to Marigot, St. Martin. Wereda was taken out of the water for hurricane season storage and we moved to a small Hotel Centre, near Marina Port Royale. There was still a lot of work to be done to prepare Wereda and her mast for storage. We worked during the day and retired to the hotel for the nights.
On May 31st we celebrated Ginger's birthday at the "all you can eat" lobster buffet at the Claude Mini Club Restaurant in
Marigot. Needles to say, the food
was great and my only regret was
that I did not have a spare stomach.
The following evening we went
to the Princess Casino in
Port de Plaisance resort where we
"donated" a few $$ to the local
economy.
June 2nd was our departure date
for Houston.
Click HERE for more pictures from
our 2014 cruising.
Ginger arrived, Wereda was quite transformed but that was only the beginning. Other changes were being implemented such as new mattresses for our
 |
| Enjoying rich cultural life of St. Martin |
 |
| Snorkeling at the Creole Rock |
 |
| A small ceremony was held |
the famous Heineken Regatta .
On March 15, Wereda set sails on the way to Road Bay, Anguilla, some 12 miles from Marigot. While on our way we made a stop, and a small ceremony of scattering my Mom's ashes was held.
 |
| Snorkeling in Shoal Bay, Anguilla |
 |
| Great day at Sandy Island, Anguilla |
miles from Road Bay. It was
such a great day - relaxing on
a white sand beach and swimming in crystal clear water. A convenient restaurant and bar provided additional, more
 |
| Andrzej and Robert raising Polish Ensign on Wereda |
Also, with a rented car we were
able to tour the whole island
of Anguilla. We enjoyed the most the beaches and underwater life at the Shoal Bay.
After our return to St. Martin
Ginger went back to Houston
 |
| Delbert, Alex and Delicia visiting Wereda |
Meantime, my two high school
friends, Andrzej and Robert
 |
| Easter Mass with Fr. Paul. Anguilla |
Two days later we sailed to Anguilla for a whole 10 days of fun and sun.
 |
| At the Festival Del Mar, Anguilla |
While earlier here in Anguilla
Ginger and I visited Dad's Bar
and Grill many times and liked
 |
| After racing around the island sailboats return to Road Bay |
 |
| And, of course we've made an obligatory trip to Sandy Island, Anguilla |
to miss. We went to the St. Gerard's Catholic church to visit it's Polish pastor Fr. Paul (Pawel Czoch).
Fr. Paul received us cordially and even though it was a busy time for him, we were able to chat for a while, while
sipping coffee and cold juices.
 |
| Wereda at anchor in Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten |
 |
| At the Fort Louis, Marigot |
And, of course, we've made an
obligatory trip to Sandy Island.
Click HERE to see more pictures
from my friends stay on Wereda.
 |
| Beautiful sunset in Grand Case |
With the return of Ginger, the guys disembarked Wereda and moved to their beach-side apartment in Grand Casse.
 |
| Wereda on the way to St. Barths. |
Barth's and spent a couple of days there and made plans to get together in St. Barths (a former Swedish colony) where Andrzej and Robert would go to by the ferry.
Weather turned rainy and seas
 |
| Wereda securely tucked-in in Gustavia Harbor |
 |
| Hiding from rain at the bar by Nikki Beach, St. Barths |
Luckily, during clearing-in we
were offered a mooring in the
harbor. An hour later we were
securely tucked in and ready
to go in town. And so we went.
Monday, May 12, the ferry boat
brought our two friends from
 |
| Wereda at Gustavia Harbor. View from Fort Carl |
island tour by a local taxi. The
weather was still unsettled and
our attempt to stay on the Nikki
Beach was rudely interrupted by
heavy downpour, so we sought
and found shelter at the nearby
bar. The rest of the day was spent walking and goofing
 |
| Shell Beach viewed from Fort Carl |
good-bye as Andrzej and Robert
boarded the ferry to return to
St. Martin.
 |
| Good life at Anse de Colombier, St. Barth's |
is only a few minutes walk from
the dinghy dock.
 |
| Abundance of Sea Turtles at Anse de Colombier |
 |
| Spectacular sunsets at Anse de Colombier |
not far from the ruined small dock at an entrance to the now abandoned Rockefeller family mansion.
 |
| Celebrating Ginger's birthday |
On May 31st we celebrated Ginger's birthday at the "all you can eat" lobster buffet at the Claude Mini Club Restaurant in
Marigot. Needles to say, the food
was great and my only regret was
that I did not have a spare stomach.
The following evening we went
to the Princess Casino in
Port de Plaisance resort where we
"donated" a few $$ to the local
economy.
June 2nd was our departure date
for Houston.
Click HERE for more pictures from
our 2014 cruising.
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