Guadeloupe
     
     Subject: Log 3/9/00 to 3/23/00
     Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2000 19:15:49 -0500
     
     From: W2LSI@cho.win-net.org
     To: rudys03@ibm.net
     
     
     Today Rudy and I worked on the boat...I washed it and Rudy repaired it. Shawn
        (from Sasse Too) and I walked to a Food Store which was about a mile away. It is
        amazing how something like finding a good food store is so exciting!! But it is!!! 
        When you can actually get items that you have been searching for for weeks, it is
        like a 5 year old in a candy store.  Shawn and I took so long exploring the shelves,
        it was dark before we left. We had to walk along the highway to the dinghy and
        then to our boats all in the dark.  We found Jon and Rudy drinking wine and
        decided to join them.  We pulled out from our found purchases a couple of
        cheeses, bread, salami and of course some French wine...A FEAST... by all of
        French Standards!!
        
        Another exciting task is finding a laundry...Well in Pointe-a-Pitre there was one
        and better yet..one that did the laundry and folded it too!!  What a treat.  This
        Marina also had a car rental, boat store, bakeries, hair salon, post office, a bank,
        toilets, showers, garbage cans, restaurants and an aquarium.... All in walking
        distance!! Rudy andI were happy we had to wait for two weeks in such a
        convenient spot. (waiting for the computer to be repaired and waiting for the winds
        to abate was a large part of the reason!!!!)
        
        On March 16th, we decided to rent a car to pick up the computer that IBM France
        repaired for Rudy.  This also gave us the freedom to see more of Guadeloupe and
        do some shopping.  As we approached the bridge to get to the town, the cars were
        in a dead stop. (we had at least some entertainment with all the cows grazing along
        the road...sometimes you see goats, chickens and an occasional pig or two...no
        need for lawn mowers!!!) A half an hour later we saw a Protest March coming
        down the opposite side. Then the buses that had stopped our path went off the road
        and we finally were on our way!  Later that day we went to the Aquarium.  It was
        small by American measure, but fascinating.  It had different kinds of coral and
        fish (sea horse, sucker fish, nurse sharks, etc.)
        
        On March 19th, we sailed to Gosier about 3 miles away.  Rudy and I took the
        dinghy and walked around the lighthouse island.  I swam back.  The next day we
        went to an island called Marie Galante and arrived in St. Louis.  After we traveled
        to Grand Bourg on Marie Galante, we decided not to anchor there and traveled to
        Isles Des Saintes instead.  This is an picturesque village with red roof houses and
        Caribbean buildings many of which balconies.  They welcome hundreds of tourists
        each day that come on high speed ferries.  There are many boutiques and
        restaurants which are a tourist delight!  IT DELIGHTED ME TOO!!!
        
        On March 22rd, we left Bourg Des Saintes and traveled around the corner to
        Anse-a-Cointre to snorkel.  It wasn't as pretty as the guide portrayed, but it was a
        great swim.  We went across to anchor at Ilet-a-Cabrit and had a very quiet night. 
        The next morning, we motor sailed to Dominica.  As we entered the Roseau
        Anchorage, we were met by a Boat Boy.  He helped us with our mooing lines.  He
        also ran a taxi service and we were able to go to customs and clear in and out the
        same day.  Tomorrow we plan to tour the island and leave the next day.
        
        Love to all.... Faith