Work and Play in St. Martin

St. Martin's courtesy flag above HYC's burgee

Dolphins accompanied us for a time while we sailed from Barbuda to St. Martin. It's such fun to watch them play at our bow... 

Also en route to St. Martin, Gil hooked his fourth mahi mahi. I decided, however, that it should be my turn for a photo op, as I have been the one gaffing them (and I haven't lost one yet)!

our 4th mahi mahi

It was Easter weekend when we arrived in St. Martin, which meant that almost everything was closed; so we chose to spend that weekend at the island of Tintamere. Many day excursion boats come to Tintamere to snorkel and enjoy its' beach. 

What's everyone so enraptured with?

We spotted turtles, a spotted eagle ray, and several stingrays....

When Easter had passed, and the shops reopened, we moved Serenada to Marigot Bay. For two weeks we shopped, we bought, and completed a list of boat jobs. St. Martin is known among cruisers for good prices and the availability of many services, and we took advantage of them. Serenada's wind generator is quieter after having bearings replaced; we added a brace to the davit system to strenghthen it; replaced the snubber line (which took half the day to splice); cleaned and polished the deck and cockpit (it became covered in tiny rust spots after Gil had removed a few rusty anchor chain links); purchased fabric for dinghy chaps; finally reglued the dinghy's rub rail; replaced a gasket in the outboard; bought a new BBQ; etc.....

Time flies when you're having fun, but it seems to go by just as quick when you're tasking!

Gil 'below' working on the wind generator, while I'm 'above' cleaning the deck

(notice the cockpit cushions in the V-berth)

We had not come to St. Martin for the express purpose of working on the boat. We came to share some time with our son Curt, and his girlfriend, Kate who arrived for the week of April 18th - 25th. Kate had just finished school the day before. She is now a Guelph Alumnus :)

Kate & Curt

Gil's water taxi

Curt and Kate were staying at La Plantation Resort on Orient Beach, on the windward side of St. Martin. Fortunately, the weather co-operated for us .... winds were moderated enough that we could anchor Serenada in Orient Bay. Curt and Kate joined us for a short sail to Tintamere (where we had spent Easter weekend). There we enjoyed snorkeling (Kate's first time) and spending time on the beach.

Kate's first snorkel

ballyhoo just below the surface

Kate was a quick learner!

Curt in hot pusuit

beach time on Tintamere

Anguilla Island in the background

After dinner aboard, we set sail with the setting sun and returned to Orient Bay.

Curt & Kate joined us for a second sail (on Curt's 24th birthday), from Orient Bay (on the east side) to Marigot Bay (on the west side), with a stop at Rocher Creole for lunch and a snorkel. 

cowfish

hind

small grouper

parrot fish

grunt

blue tang

we've got company

Kate captured this pelican in flight over Rocher Creole

After anchoring in Marigot Bay, we took a dinghy tour of Simpson's Lagoon and the many mega yachts at dock. Curt's birthday was then celebrated on shore... we started with half price Happy Hour drinks at Lagoonies, and finished with dinner and cake across the lagoon at ??? ('can't remember - too many drinks?). It was a great day together.