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rhans said:
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Nutmeg said:
Ditto about Martinique. Many great bays in the south, *love* Ste Anne, Les Trois-Ilets area and definitely St Pierre- one of the most interesting towns in the Caribbean. Friends have been by land to the eastern side where there is some sort of banana arboretum that is very educational. And because it's French, the food is wonderful... We stopped at Portsmouth in Dominica and hightailed it to Iles des Saintes. Not sure if that is too far north for you.


Last January we had the horrid task <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />of delivering a 45 from Bequia to St. Martin. After suffering a week delay leaving Admiralty Bay ( I should have this kind of bad luck more often) we headed to Martinique. On the way an old repair in the main failed forcing us to stop in Le Marin for repairs. The folks at the loft tried to do a quick patch but were unsuccessful and it would be at least 10 days to do it right do to their workload. This turned into the best stretch of bad luck I’ve witnessed in my 60 + years.
Martinique is one incredible Island.
The people bend over backwards and are earnestly warm & friendly. The further you get from the water the fewer spoke English and by the time I left, do to their effort, I could speak some reel crappy French
The towns and ports mentioned by Nutmeg are spot on. San Pierre when the Cruise Ship busses aren’t around is really quiet and quaint with a great market. If you take the time to get into the history is horrific and sad.


A BiG +1

We have found far more worthwhile to do ashore in Martinique. Playing tourist is usually not our thing. Martinique is different. The food, the history, the interesting old world beauty at every corner. You can easily spend three days in the St. Pierre anchorage.

The real tour of real Rhum making is a great education. There are several options on the island here is one with lunch we enjoy.

http://www.ministryofrum.com/producerdetails.php?t=42

It is virtually impossible to buy the real Rhum's of Martinique in the US. The french simply do not bother to ship the good stuff here.

Please note it is the islands. The culture is different and everything will take longer than most americans expect. Yes, even slower than many BVI offerings. Your good manners and at least respect of french will go a long way here.

We have picked boats up on St. Lucia that is easy to fly to. Sailed off to St. Pierre and Martinique to decompress, do the history and provision. Then when we are ready sail overnight to the Grenadines. After the Grenadines we sail back and spend a night under the Piton's before returning the boat.