The latest cruising news from the Northern Hemisphere and the world.
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25 Aug 2016 |
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  The Africans. The Africans.
 | | Gros and Petit Pitons of St Lucia |
Well, we know that the famous tribe really gets out and about. Well and truly! This time, it is a place with two distinctive humps, much like a gigantic, partially submerged camel. Now after so many years for me, they're still completely visible, one can almost reach them in fact. Just stretch a little farther...
It is one of the Windward Isles, and it can only be St Lucia. It is pretty. A jewel, actually, but like anywhere in the world now, many want that gem or any other valuables you might have, so you do need to be wary. Not nervous, just cautious, calculating and aware.
Hills and water is always a magical combination, no matter whether it is volcanic mounds from millennia ago rising up out of the bluest oceans or slightly smaller mounds that are ever so slightly farther afield as you cruise up rivers. St Lucia maximises its best, 2500-foot assets of the former by then covering them in rich, lush and ever so green vegetation.
It is also a locale that allows you to be right in the thick of it or much less so. Being nowhere near it is now much harder to do! The cruise liners will certainly ensure you know that. Still, the adventurous can go on flying foxes/zip-lines, (depending on where you're from), do some diving and snorkelling in waters of sapphire, jade and amethyst and a zillion other gemstones. See the fish, or better yet, go fishing and get dinner sorted!
On land you can use ATVs or 4WDs, or those two things below your waist and hike hills or rainforests, see valleys full of bananas, or explore fishing villages. All the time that velvet like carpet of foliage and the birds' choruses should make you feel good and peaceful. If it is all too much, and the budget allows, then you can get a total snapshot of it all from a chopper ride.
 | | St Lucia - Yachting Paradise |
St Lucia is well suited to yachting, in all its forms, and Rodney Bay is probably chief amongst the facilities, with a marina and yard, should works be necessary. It is deep enough for most pleasure craft. Marigot Bay is the most popular with all manner of visitors from way back when with the British and French Navies, to filmmakers and novelists. It will be busy in season and does have great protection. Either of these two locales is also your best choice for entry/clearance.
The ultimate in protection can be sought at the port of Castries, should it go sideways on you, but as the main port, it also has all the liners etc, which is never that appealing. Vieux Fort is to be avoided. So if you have to get a Visa, get a cab from one of the other ports. All over the island, do consider whether a remain-aboard watch may be your best option.
Soufrière is the little town closest to the Gros and Petit Piton. It is also an entry port, if you wanted to just come here and avoid other ports. Anchoring in the bay is controlled to avoid damage to the sea floor. Look for the yellow buoys of the Soufrière Marine Management Area, and also obtain your permit. There are also some watchman services available in the area, so careful recon will be your best ally here. Some small inconveniences in order to avail yourself of that view...
Progressing on now, and to me the contrast between trying to find the desire to go sailing in cold Ireland with mist and poor visibility to contend with aboard SV Taipan could not have been made greater than by having the Payne's material from Polynesia in the same week.
We are blessed to have them recount what they see and offer interesting perspectives on their present patches on the globe. I was once in a rust-bucket in Fiji, very similar to the one the Payne's talk about, but I must have had the deluxe version, for it still had seats!
 | | Blarney Castle © SV Taipan |
Equally, the learnings afforded both on land and offshore by the Langford's are terrific reading. For those out adventuring on the big blue, they show many ways to extract the most from life and your precious working capital.
So then, in this newsletter you will find terrific material on everything from rusty wrecks to bakeoffs, first-timers to reef grinders. The latter, by the Bowen's, is not only great reading, it commands you to assess your own protocols, procedures and safety regimen. I also applaud the use of technology as one avenue towards better outcomes.
There are tales, lessons, inspirations and history to regale yourself with, so please do enjoy... We're loving bringing you the best stories from all over the globe. Now then, are you out there plying the seas and got something to say? We'd love to hear from you via editor@sail-world.com – In the meantime, do you love being on the ocean? Well remember to love them back too. They need our help. Now more than ever! Until next time...
John Curnow
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