Up the Coastline to the Canaries and Marigot Bay

On Monday we left the bay between the Pitons and made our way up the coast to the Canaries and tied up to a lone mooring ball. The snorkeling here was even better than the other two sites. We found a scorpion fish (a first for the Corbetts) hiding on the bottom, camouflaged to match the surrounding green stones. He was very ugly, yet magnificent. The other incredible sighting was two large squid with fluttering skirts who were oblivious to us drifting up above as watched intently. They were doing a mating dance with a fertilizing tentacle followed by the depositing of the eggs into the coral shelf. This process was repeated several times and was still going on when we finally left them. It was truly an awesome thing to witness; it felt like something right out of National Geographic. The coral was gorgeous too and of course the water was crystal clear, aqua-green blue in color! Our rum punch sundowner was enjoyed while watching a spectacular sunset that lit the whole sky into a fiery pink.

On Tuesday we hoisted sail for Marigot Bay arriving shortly before noon. We were tied to a mooring ball offered by a boatboy for 80 ECs for the night but Dawn dickered him down to 65 ECs and it was well worth it to moor in this beautiful bay (hurricane hole that is protected pretty well on all sides.) Cat Tales was nestled in nicely next to the mangrove trees. After lunch, the boys stayed on boat while Dawn and I took the garbage and went on shore to fine Robert and Liz Glenwright who were staying at the 'Inn on the Bay'. We had received an email from Liz 2 days earlier telling us they were in Marigot Bay. On our climb up the hill, we met an older woman upset by the road construction right outside her house. We introduced ourselves and found out she was Mama Sheila (oldest and longest living resident in the community - 71 years old). It is the same Mama Sheila, referenced in the Chris Doyle Cruising guide, a guide used by all Caribbean yachters, and we were honored to have met her. She gave us directions to the local grocery store that was at least 2kms away - all up hill both ways in 30+ heat. Dawn and I were wondering just how we were ever going to make it back to the boat with our purchases, when in came Mama Sheila who offered us a ride back to the dock. I hugged her, called her an angel and we gladly accepted. Before taking the provisions back to the boat, Dawn and I hit happy hour at the Chateau Mygo bar where we had reservations for supper that evening. Later on at dinner, just by chance, Robert and Liz came to the same restaurant. We had a great meal, live entertainment with music and dancing. Met the owner, Doreen who happened to be Mama Sheila's niece and Michael, the sushi bar chef who was quite the dancer. Most definitely, a good time was had by all.

Today we picked up Liz and Robert and sailed them up to Rodney Bay. We had a good stiff breeze and we think that the trip was just the proper length for someone without sea legs! After arriving at Rodney Bay, we all swam to the beach and ran our toes through the beautiful hot white sand. Laurie took them into the marina where they were to wander around and catch a bus back to Marigot Bay.