That's a Wrap on Saint Lucia

Exploring the Caribbean has provided us so many different experiences, from hanging out in small bays with a few other boats to docking at marinas where we get to know our surrounding neighbors as they help us dock.

Our return to St. Lucia was a little bit of everything.

Every island seems to have a Marigot Bay and St. Lucia is no exception. Pulling into Marigot looked a little like Disneyland with cute buildings, high hills, lots of frogs and roosters, and many bars and restaurants to try out.

There’s the 5 Star Zoetry hotel in this small bay and we thought we could waltz right into this resort because Joe looked quite dapper in his captain’s outfit to clear into the country. “No” said the security guard, so it must have been Joe’s crew member’s outfit that got us outed as resort “posers.”

We were there on St. Lucia’s Independence day, where people come from other islands to join in a motorcycle rally around the island. People dress in their very cool and modern-looking flag colors of turquoise, yellow and black. We walked up the hill and down to the main road to see a few of the rally participants.

After a few days in Marigot Bay, we sailed to Rodney Bay, a wonderful area we had visited last year. We approached the fuel dock and no one was there so we docked completely on our own, which we were trained to do, but we have never had to. (Thanks again to Chris Simpson for his exceptional training in November of 2021.) Docking by ourselves was easy because Captain Joe has become very good at moving our catamaran sideways without side thrusters.

We anchored in the beautiful bay next to Pigeon Island. We’ve hiked Pigeon before, but this time we ran into a group from Ponant cruise line’s Le Dumont-d’Urville along with their cruise guide, Nadia and Smithsonian guest speaker Ralph. Ralph shared the history of St. Lucia as well as the Battle of Les Saintes in Guadeloupe. We were lucky to experience being with a historian, and former teacher, to enrich our hike to the fort.

We left Rodney Bay for a month and a half to enjoy Martinique as well as a quick trip back to Colorado to ski and to Mexico for a wedding.

We pulled into Rodney Bay Marina on the 23rd of March and Joe got off to clear us into Customs. A woman on a beautiful mono-hull named “My Island Girl” introduced herself as Barbra Streisand and she said her husband’s name was Winston Churchill. I told her that’s a great way to help us remember your names, which I will never forget. I asked where they were from and she said “Denver.” As it turns out, they owned a home for 30 years in a neighborhood about 10 minutes from where we live.

We became fast friends and her husband was even one of our best friend’s boss 30 years ago. Barbara had great stories to tell of their 20 years of sailing.

Our favorite day with Barbara was when she took us on a hike on the island up to a pond. She’s an artist and she recounted in an art class that the teacher made them sit very still in nature for 15 minutes to observe what happens. She asked if we wanted to do that and we said “of course!“ She offered up 10 minutes of stillness versus 15, which was a good idea as both of us have a difficult time staying still for any length of time.

I clearly have never stood still in nature for 10 minutes, because in that time, more fish came to the surface of the pond, red dragon flies where everywhere, a lizard came down from the top of the tree and hung out near me, and little birds with yellow breasts came out of hiding. Who knew what would happen if you just stood still!

Our experience with Barbara is one we’ll never forget. We have stayed in touch with them and will forever.

Notes for other cruisers:

Rodney Bay Marina is one of our favorite in the Caribbean. They have friendly staff members, the restaurants are good - especially Elena's. Pat is quick with your laundry and does it in one day. She seems to work 7 days a week.

Friend and Jeremiah polished our boat for a reasonable price and looked over it while we were gone for two weeks. They're on WhatsApp at +17587183888

Kenny from Rodney Bay Sails repaired our jib sail quickly and for a reasonable price.

The Massey's grocery story just a dinghy ride away is one of our favorite big super markets in the Caribbean.

Traveling from St. Vincent to St. Lucia was a little chilly for me at 82 degrees, so I had to wear my vest.

Captain Joe’s outfit didn’t get us into the fancy resort.

Marigot Bay. Our boat is the one right in the middle of the photo.

Marigot architecture. Our showers were free since we were on a mooring ball and they had hot water with excellent water pressure.

“Barbra Streisand” on our way to the hike.

You’ll never see this again. Me standing still for 10 minutes.

We went back to the hike where Barbara took us and went all the way to the top. They had these handy lines to help us go up and come down.

Looking down over Rodney Bay Marina