We have now been in the lagoon for about 3 weeks and still we don’t feel we have managed to explore much of the island! Time has flown by so I guess we have been busy…. We have become very familiar with all the chandeleries, many different types of marine services, the daily cruiser’s net that is run by Mike from Shrimpy’s on the French side, etc., etc. and now are beginning to feel the boat is almost ready for the trip back to the US East coast in mid-May. Aside from all that, we have enjoyed re-connecting with Kim and Mahrnez and their son, Dillon (see photo in Lagoonies Bistro, which is just at the end of our dock and THE cruisers place on the lagoon). We had an enjoyable trip to Phillipsberg together on a Sunday when no cruise ships were around so much more pleasant. We also met up with Julian and Lynn from Domini who were neck and neck with us for several days in their Jeanneau 45 on our way to the BVI with the Salty Dawgs in November.
Some of the tasks completed include: cleaning the fuel tanks and disposing the fuel as it was the cheaper than polishing it, installing a new Racor fuel filter that has a clear bulb so we can more easily see if the filter is dirty or has collected water, servicing the generator, installing a new radar (as the old one didn’t work), chartplotter, VHF (as we would have had to send the old one back to the manufacturer to change the MMSI number) and zinc saver, purchase a second-hand dinghy and an outboard (as ours was listed with Second Wind), rig up an engine hoist, etc., etc.
We hope to depart for the USVI via the BVI (to drop off one dinghy) either tonight or tomorrow, assuming we manage to complete the remaining few little tasks. Our ships stores were replenished at the wonderful Carrefour market, where we relished in picking up some wonderful French treats… Life is definitely picking up….