Klik hier voor het laatste journaal
(in het Nederlands/Dutch only)

VOLG ONS / FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Last update December 01 2013

As always during our stay in the Netherlands, we are busy like little bees. Taxes, banking and postal and there are the unexpected things that asurp a lot of time.
The family day will be held at John'n parents, aunts and uncles were all there, pretty easy for us as we really couldn't meet them all otherwise, and it is fun the whole bunch together . The rest of the time we need to do things on the internet, yes fast internet, what bless that is. Where there was still time, we made some special visits.
We celebrated John's pre-birthday in Amsterdam. We visited the Rijksmuseum, had a nice dinner and close the night with a classical concert. Very nice, but a bit much after the hectic weeks, it was an exhausting day.

Then there is time to move on again, we said our goodbyes. Two fully loaded bags of stuff for Joho are put into the back of our French car. We were glad we made this very short trip to see with our own eyes how John's mum and dad and my dad are doing.
We flew from Orly back to Martinique were Kees and Anja waited for us. With our rental car we drove quickly to Le Marin. Enjoyed a chat while we had snacks and drinks with Kees and Anja and afterwards we went to Joho. Unpacking bags came later, first thing first, I made the beds and we went to sleep.

St Anne, Martinique

Saturday, November 9th, we went with Kees and Anja on an Island tour with our rental car. We drove from the east to the north. First we past St Anne on the south side, we stopped at Grand Anse des Salines. We walked on a path through the mangroves along the salt lake. We heared a lot of birds, but did not see them.
Through the route along the rugged east coast we drove to the northern tip of Martinique. Narrow roads surrounded by greenery, occasionally a bridge. Up North we went towards Mont Pelee, the only active volcano in Martinique. The last eruption dates back to 1902, the wealthy capital St Pierre was struck by boiling lava. The ruined city of St Pierre lost its status as capital of Martinique to Fort-de-France located mid-island. After a busy day we made a stop for a drink in our restaurant Le Marin. Tomorrrow is an other day.

Next day we left early in the morning, this time we drive south-east. We stopped at a few anchorages, and a row of memorial images of a sunken slave ship. Here many slaves were killed because they were chained together, unable to drift or swim ashore.
In Trois-Ilets we take our herring on a slice of bread, but of course with onions. Just one short visit to the plantation where Josephine, wife of Napoleon lived. Unfortunately the museum was closed. After some driving through the mountains we decided to return to Marin via St Robert where Kees spotted a boatyard he wanted to see.

Monday 11 November, the day of St Maarten and the beginning of the carnival is the birth day of my John too. In the dark I decorate the boat with slings, which by the way is not easy. If the birthday boy has awoken there comes the "peperkoek" cake with candles to blow out, as it should be at once. Late afternoon Kees and Anja arrive and unexpectedly Gavin and Manda of SY Secret Smile join us as well for a birthday drink.

After parting with Kees and Anja on Tuesday, November 12th (they go for two months in the Netherlands ) we plan to go at anchor again. Just around the corner to St Anne where we stay for a few days in a more pristine environment. After a few days we sail on back to Le Marin first, then on to Fort - de-France. Here we meet Gavin and Mandy again who plan on leaving next day. So in the evening we had a nice chat and meet again with a drink in hand, super.
Next day they leave from Fort-de-France directly to St Maarten, we 're going to do it in day-hops as there are too many nice anchorages and places along the way we'd like to see again. One thing is for sure, we'll meet each other again in St Maarten in December.
Meanwhile, we know that Petra Sander and have arranged their tickets. They fly from Aruba to St Maarten on 23 December and stay their holidays aboard Joho.
More happy days to come for sure.

Jolanda

I finished a special photobook, about our travels 10 years JoHo's travel from 2001 to 2011.
Curious ? Then click the link.
And if you're interested in sailing the BAHAMAS, BERMUDA, MALDIVES, BONAIRE or SURINAME have a look at our books at SAILADVENTURES where the books are available online.
You can always mail us for more info on these cruising grounds or cruising in general, we'll gladly help you out.

Jolanda

Current position

JoHo is on anchor in Jolly Harbour, Antigua at 17°046'4 N - 61°53'8 W.

Plans

Sailing the Caribbean mainly. Our floating home and office is always ready for us to work for ourselves as writers and editors compiling cruising guides on our way.
We'll see how things will run, life's too complicated to plan anyways. Live life to the max, it can be over before you know it is our slogan.

John and Jolanda