Plans and wonderings

We are based in Martinique for a while longer. As this is France and EU, it makes it easy for us to sort out administrative tasks, get shipments to arrive safely and other things are easy to sort out here and has to get done before we’re ready to move on again. Might be we'll have the time to revisit St Lucia once again before we head up North, would be wonderful as we haven't had the chance to visit the Pitons and Soufrière as yet. Our plan thereafter is to set sail towards Dominica and Goudaloupe in the end of this month and perhaps spend some days/weeks in Antigua and St Barths in April/May before we return back down South where we'll most probably spend the hurricane season. Or maybe we skip the most Northern parts of the windward/leeward islands and sail on straight towards South and spend a longer time in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Mustique, Bequia, Grenada, Tobago and thereafter the ABC's for some weeks? We can't really make up our mind.

Caribbean, as far as we have understood, is beautiful and colorful, a bit inspiring, and the light here is more than spectacular. The Caribbean islands we've seen so far might not be as secluded and private and not totally as paradisish and lush as some parts of Asia or the Indian Ocean as we know it, or might be we haven’t found those hidden gems as yet? Search continues. One question for you who've been around the world: What are your absolute most favorite, dreamlike, unexploited paradise in the Caribbean sea? And we're not looking for places where you'll find 250 charter boats anchored on the same spot and beaches overcrowded with tourists, no it is the quietness and privacy combined with a dreamlike atmosphere and a breathtaking nature and sea life we're after. Or do we really have to get out in the Pacific to find that?

And then another question: since we've already decided to stay around here in Central/South America for the rest of the year before we head out in the Pacific, we're also keen of finding the perfect place for putting the boat, and ourselves, for the hurricane season. So far we have these options on our list: Grenada, Trinidad and Brazil. Have any of you spent the hurricane season in any of these places and what are your experiences with them? Is Grenada really a safe place for the boat during the tropical storms and what about the ABC islands?

Thankful for your thoughts.

/Taru and Alex

15 Responses to “Plans and wonderings”

Anonymous said...: Follow the summer. The weathers cool and unpredictable in the north now but soon to change as spring\winter arrives. You're perfectly situated now to wait a while for summer to come, then head north. Or maybe go South now to get it over with, then head north as summer approaches.

Hands down Turks and Caicos Islands is what you seek. No water anywhere else on the planet like it. Referred to as "gin colour". Proper white sand talcum powder beaches and lots and lots of them deserted. First Class diving, first class resturants on Provo, very very quiet island and even quieter surrounds.

Run through this blog's pictures to get a feel, two people living there's daily lives:

http://2gringos.blogspot.com/; March 11, 2011 at 10:21 AM
Anonymous said...: p.s don't you want to go to Cuba? I would have thought it would be of great interest.

For the hurricane season, hang in the ABC's they're out of the hurricane belt. Aruba's nice, super hot and windy, and totally commercialized, at least won't be too bored there.; March 11, 2011 at 10:44 AM
Andy said...: You may want to check out this forum:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/

There is extensive discussion on hurricane holes, destinations and other topics.

From comments others made there, Brazil is a difficult sail. Trinidad and Grenada seem to be the major hurricane destinations, along with Cartegena, but that puts you close to the canal, and it will be a touch uphill slog getting back to the leeward islands.

Good luck.; March 11, 2011 at 11:06 AM
Sylvain said...: You should plan a stop in Anegada (BVI). This definitely qualifies as an unspoiled paradise. Going further north, the Abacos are absolutely stunning.

Thanks for sharing your cruising adventures, we really enjoy reading your stories...

Sounda & Sylvain; March 11, 2011 at 12:32 PM
Babs said...: It would be a shame if you missed out on The BVI's and the USVI's. Jost VanDyke 8sq mile island with 200 residents Foxy's, Soggy Dollar Bar home of the painkiller! a rum drink you will fall in love with. St'John's........St. Johns is 75% park you could spend 10 days there and have a different beach to yourself every day.; March 11, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Unknown said...: ABC's are South of the hurricane belt. We had our honeymoon there in Curacao in September and the weather was fantastic. Make sure to hit Bonaire for diving!; March 11, 2011 at 12:45 PM
Nix said...: Hum, I concur with Sylvain, Anegada is a must. Really worth a trip there.; March 11, 2011 at 1:52 PM
anna! said...: Didn't know you had a new blog, sweet, safe travels to both of you :); March 11, 2011 at 4:47 PM
Ernesto Bitran said...: You should come to Brazil!!!!!!!!
Fernando de Noronha is the most beutiful placê of The world!!!! Angra dos Reis is great also?
Is you need any information, contact me, ok?
Xoxo
Ernesto; March 11, 2011 at 9:38 PM
Anonymous said...: A lot of people we met told us that Marigot Bay at St-Lucia is very safe during thunderstorms season.
It’s just an option. It’s easy to contact the marina to get a confirmation.
L&N; March 12, 2011 at 1:38 AM
Chris H said...: If you're going south, Mustique is worth exploring as it beautiful and quiet. You will find most of the beaches completely empty (though quite expensive place to stop).

As you sail south through the Grenadines, you'll find Union island quiet, but Mayreau is very peaceful and makes a great little place to stop before going to Cays.

Call in at Petit St Vincent (private hotel island) and ask if they would show you around at the reception - it's beautiful - and you have to stop at Mopion, this tiny desert island is about 50m across and has just a single wooden sun umbrella - hopefully you will get it to yourself. It's surrounded by a reef but you can moor to the east of it and swim in, but be careful of the tide.

When travelling south, it's recommended NOT to stop overnight in St Vincent bays in the north of the island, they are not safe.

Have fun - and enjoy yourself!

Chris; March 12, 2011 at 2:58 AM
TT said...: Thank you all, your tips are all very helpful for us.

Will soon make some decisions.; March 12, 2011 at 10:38 AM
BudgetGirl said...: OH MY GOD I WANT THAT CAT; March 16, 2011 at 4:44 AM
ferienwohnungen lloret de mar said...: Hello T& A.......
Hows your travel going.After a long 3 months i come back to your Blog.Hope you are enjoying your travel.Glad to listen your new travel experiences.All the best for future travel.; March 18, 2011 at 2:21 AM
David M. said...: Just catching up on your blog now.

I've been everywhere (except Cuba) in the Caribbean basin and here's some suggestions for more secluded secrets.

I understand not wanting to head any further north in the Caribbean but if you change your mind consider Vieques and Culebra off the east coast of Puerto Rico. Except ofr one W hotel on Vieques you will find mile after mile of beaches without a soul on them.

Any of the BVIs would also be a good choice.

Further south, I love Nevis.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines are good, you can't avoid the charter sailboats but the area is so beautiful that it doesn't matter. Of all the Grenadines, I love Mayreau, it's the epitome of a secluded Caribbean Harbor.

Once you finish with the islands and are nearing Panama, I would suggest stopping at Cartegena -classic old world.

Bocas del Toro off of Panama is also a very secluded spot.

My favorite "secret" island of all right now is the Corn Islands off the east coast of Nicaragua. Tourism has hardly discovered the islands yet.; June 23, 2011 at 7:46 AM

Plans and wonderings

15 Responses to “Plans and wonderings”

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