TravelTalkOnline Forums Trip Reports (Read Only) Trip Report and Photo Archives Day 11 Back on shore

Jan. 23: St. Lucia
There is a bakery at the Moorings base, but if you want pain au chocolat you have to get there early. I kept my eye on the door and waited until I saw them open for business, Em was just coming out of the rear cabin when I came down so I asked her if I could take the dingy in to get some; without a moments hesitation she handed me the dingy key and I was off. I picked up the last eight they had in the display case and a baguette, all were still warm from the oven. Dan made some pancakes from scratch, his come out thin like crepes so I spooned some sautéed apple pieces on my and rolled it up, a little nutmeg syrup on top and I was in heaven. Sarah’s flight was an early one so she caught a taxi from Marigot Bay, we all said good bye and wished her well as she departed. Our last leg of the trip is just a short sail up the coast back to Rodney Bay.

Dolittles resort in Marigot Bay

The wind was blowing quite strongly and we made well over 8 knots of speed even with the main reefed. Once we were back at the marina we all finished packing while Dan made Italian sausages on rolls with peppers and onions for lunch. I went over to the Ocean Club for a beer and gave Trendy a call; I wanted to see him before I left for Soufriere since I won’t be back in Rodney Bay until late next month. I was soon joined at the bar by Arvil, Keith and Dan and we had a couple beers while talking about the trip. Mike and Charles are flying back to England this evening and I made arrangements with their driver to drop me off in Soufriere after taking them to the airport, he is doing it for $30 US, the regular fare between Rodney Bay and Soufriere is $60.

Em ready to release the main sheet if a strong gust comes along

After saying our goodbyes we started the long drive down the coast to the airport our driver, Kimbert, pointed out some of the sights along the way. Once in Soufriere I checked into the Downtown Hotel, I have stayed here a few times before; it is located in the center of town, the rooms are nice and the rates are reasonable. After all the sailing and with another five weeks of travel on the horizon I need some maximum chill and there is no better place for that than Soufriere. My first stop was Archies for dinner, a chicken meal with all the sides and a couple Pitons; I tried to call my friend Boomer, I hadn’t stayed in Soufriere for a couple years and I was looking forward to spending some time with him. I headed over to Sandys Bar, one of Boomers favorite hangouts and asked around for him. Come to find out there had been some trouble, his daughters mother stabbed him earlier in the day and he had been taken to the hospital. I was shocked, no one seemed to know how he was doing and I was concerned for his well being. A little later he slowly walked into the bar clutching his side, he had been treated for the stab wound but would not stay overnight for observation as the doctors wanted him to. I could see he was in extreme pain and probably in shock; his friends and I pleaded with him to go back to the hospital as it was evident he had begun to bleed again from the wound in the back. After a few strong rums to calm him down he finally took everyone’s advice and left to return to the hospital. I am worried about what is going to happen to him; he has been making money guiding people up Petite Piton, a very challenging climb, and ahs two fo the sweetest little girls you have ever seen, Twilight and Twinkle. All week I had been thinking of the fun we would have these next few days hanging out together and taking the girls fro ice cream, now all I can do is pray for his recovery. On the way back from Sandys I grabbed some kidneys on a stick from the woman that grills them along the sidewalk and then just sat on the balcony of my room watching people go by until late in the night.