Martinique

Le Marin lies in our wake. With 16 knots of wind it blows us out of the bay. I think it's called a downwind, I don't even know anymore, it's been too long. We aim for Diamond Rock, which marks a prominent spot in the southwest of Martinique. Our destination is Grande Anse D'Arlet, a bay where there are supposed to be many turtles. Anchoring is prohibited here and buoys are rare. We catch one for a maximum of 8 tons, since our boat is 7 tons, that is ok so far. After the gas station in Le Marin the lunch break in the length pulled, and only half an hour after official opening schedule, the operation has resumed, we come relatively late, away from Le Marin. 

 

Gasstation Le Marin, Martinique

Shortly after departure, we are caught by a rain shower and get soaking wet. Nevertheless, we make it into the bay in daylight. We want to visit the crew of the "But also good", which we met on Carriacou. We have known them for quite a while, we follow them on their YouTube channel "Blue Horizon". In the evening we meet the two briefly and arrange for the next day to do something together. But unfortunately it comes once again quite differently. In the morning the harbor supervisor comes and says that the boat is much too heavy for the buoy, we have to leave. He doesn't want to see the proof that this is not the case. But before we leave, we have to go ashore and pay for the buoy. We haven't had that for a long time, but there it was again, "Always this trouble with the staff". And although other yachts are anchored, the harbor supervisor refused us to anchor in the bay. There is simply nothing you can do. 

Grand Anse D´Arlet, Martinique

We go anchor up and moved to the Anse Mitan. The small village on the headland just opposite Fort de France, is very touristy. However, the best years seem to be over. Many small stores and bars are closed and sometimes it looks a bit rundown. We take a hike to nearby Trois Ilets because I want to take a closer look at the anchorage. It goes up and down and we have to cross a golf course, but finally we reach the sleepy place. We are glad to lie in Anse Mitan, because the swell - wherever it comes from - puts quite nicely into the bay. On the way back we stop at the clubhouse and remember our time when we were still chasing the handicap. A little bit of melancholy comes up and before it gets too big, we make our way home. 

Golf Course Trois Ilets, Martinique

The next morning we pick up the reserved rental car and start our exploration of Martinique. We've been here almost two weeks now, but haven't seen much of the island yet. Le Marin is indeed a sailing center in the Caribbean, where you can get almost everything, but the emphasis is on almost. Next, the price also plays an important role for us. Thus, the long-awaited cooler once again had to take a back seat. The model favored by us is to be had on Martinique, but costs almost twice as much as in the mail order business. So we continue to cool the beer with our unecological refrigerator and otherwise save electricity. We take our rental car and drive via Fort de France to the north. It becomes more hilly and the green more luxuriant. 

Jardin de Balata, Martinique

The botanical garden Jardin de Balata is our destination. On the way to the highest mountain of Martinique, the Montagne Pelée, lies this beautiful garden, halfway. It is difficult for me to single out a highlight. Certainly the suspension bridges, high up in the treetops are one of them. The roads are winding, similar to what we know from Madeira. Via Le Morne Rouge, we finally reach the steep, narrow road to the Montagne Pelée hikers' parking lot. 

Lush greenery in the north of Martinique

Since we are too late, we go only a piece up to a viewpoint and enjoy the beautiful landscape. From up here you can see the windward side, as well as the downwind side, of the island. In Saint Pierre we make a short stop and have a look at the anchorage. Here we want to clear out in the next days and leave Martinique. But that is another story. We sail along the coast and reach Fort de France again. The traffic chaos described by other sailors does not come as a surprise to us, but our patience is once again put to the test. For the next excursions, we will leave out the city extensively and devote ourselves to other areas. If you want to stay informed, subscribe to our blog, our homepage or our YouTube channel. Recently, we are also represented on TikTok. So see you soon. As always fair winds and keep a stiff upper lip.

Jardin de Balata, Martinique