Pictures above: 1. Prinsendam in Bourg des Saintes Bay from Fort Napoleon. 2. Bourg des Saintes, Iles des Santes, Guadeloupe. 3. Diana on Point Pierre Beach. 4. The Apse mural, Bourg des Santes Church. 5. Our tenders heading in and out of Bourg des Saintes.
March 16 - Terre-De-Haut, Iles De Saintes, Guadeloupe. This is the first time we are visiting this particular island. Previously we have landed on the main island of the group. This time we are on Terre-De-Haut (High Land) one of the two main islands of the eight-island Iles De Saintes group just a short way south of Guadeloupe Island.
Terre-De-Haut is a small island; about six miles long and very narrow. Since Guadeloupe is another French Department the currency is the Euro just like yesterday. Also like yesterday, it's a tender port. Our ship is anchored in a beautiful bay that is somewhat protected from the ocean swell and waves by an island the guards its center. The tender ride to Bourg des Saintes was very short and scenic. The bay is dotted with sailing craft of all sizes although there are none of the super yachts like yesterday.
The island is quaint with lots of shops, restaurants and motor scooter rentals. Amazingly a motor scooter for an entire day is only €20. At current exchange rates that's about $26 per day. This is the best bargain I've seen on a French island in some time.
Our first stop was at Fort Napoleon, a small structure built on a hill overlooking the city. It was built in 1867 to protect the natural harbor below. I don't know if it was the obviously business like structure or its strategic and totally defensible position, but the fort was never the scene of any hostile action. It would have been easy to defend and taking it would have been expensive. Much of the structure is still in very good condition. The main building houses a museum of the island's history, the local culture and the fort's history as well. There are several large, wonderfully detailed warship models to see and one of the best displays of coral types I've seen anywhere.
We walked around the fort's wall and had a great view of the bay and the city below. It rained earlier although not very hard but that increased the humidity by double. Fortunately the constant breeze kept us very comfortable.
Next we went to see Anse de Pompierre (Point Pierre Beach). The island's beaches are not large but they are all crescent shaped, simple and very attractive places and this one is no exception. It was high tide and the bottom in the surf line was pretty steep. In about two feet the water was at mid-thigh but then you could walk out another 20-30 yards and still be at the same depth. The water was very clear and ranged from a shade of aqua to deep blue. The sand was made mostly of crushed shells and coral with a small amount of rock thrown in. At the back the beach is lined with palm trees. Very pretty.
From the beach we headed back to town to look around. When we go to a new place I'm always on the lookout for a Fridgie (Something with a magnet on the back that you can put on the Refrigerator). They're cheap, light, hard to break and easy to pack. When you get them home you stick them on your fridge and every time you open the door you are reminded of places you've been so it extends the enjoyment of your vacation. Ideal! I like to find unique or humorous things; many times they are too hokey and quite ugly. Here I found a wooden, orange, hand painted hibiscus flower about 1.5 inches across with the inscription Les Saintes, Guadeloupe. Perfect!
I stopped into a small church downtown. Sometimes you find the most amazing things in small churches anywhere in the world. There was nothing amazing here but the mural at the back of the apse was very nice. It has Mary with some children on the left side. She might have been depicted as Our Lady of Fatima as she is talking to two girls and a boy. I know far more about the Roman Catholic church than any Baptist has reason to but it's very interesting to me because so much of great cathedral architecture is Roman Catholic or Orthodox. Of course, Christ on the cross is in the center and the Archangel Michael on the right with the scales and sword of justice. The French inscription across the top reads 'Salt of the earth. Light of the world." Between the two statements is the dove of the Holy Spirit.
Diana always likes to look at clothing in case she finds just the perfect item. Mostly she just looks but occasionally she strikes gold and buys the cutest article. While she shops I try to talk to the locals or take pictures. There are four black ladies traveling together that I really get a kick out of so when I found that locals were very scarce I talked to them. Florence, Marilyn, Jean and Alta are a very gregarious group and fun to be around. I had earlier heard them discussing getting some ice cream to when I saw them on the square I headed that way. The place they stopped didn't have ice cream but it had fruit smoothies and they were enjoying some. We talked about the entertainment so far and they were very happy. The especially enjoyed the Vegas style of Tony Pace last night. They thought his Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong and Willie Nelson were spot on, as did I. They admired his ability to hit the note right off a feat that only Mr. Cole could master of the three men above. Louis and Willie got on by having a unique style and oh what great styles they were.
I headed back to the little ice cream shop and got one scoop of passion fruit in a cup. It was sweet-tart heaven. The scoops are small and cost €2 but "Oh my!" was it good. I saved half of it for Diana when we met to catch the tender back to the ship. By then much of it was a smoothie but she said the taste was still great.
Our entertainer for the evening is Brad Cummings, a comic ventriloquist. He had several characters, Vinnie the mob hit man, a jack in the box that wound up being Jack Nicholson and a baby dinosaur that hatches out of an egg. He was very good at his craft but I think he's at sea breaking in new patter. About 70% of it worked but what did click was funny. His last dummy was an audience member. That was actually a very funny skit. I've seen Brad on Letterman's show and his previous act was better. I guess it got old and he's trying to write some new stuff. All in all it was very enjoyable.
Tomorrow a very early start. I want to be off the ship by 8am so it will be breakfast at 6:30 or so.
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