Guadeloupe

We spent time in Guadeloupe before and after traveling to Massachusetts. You better speak some French in Guadeloupe or you will not even find the customs check in office! After learning a few French words we started having a good time. We spent time in Deshaies, Pointe a Pitre and Les Saintes. A German cruiser we met said that Guadeloupe is just like the South of France and the island does have a very European feel. The tourists are mostly from France, Germany and western Europe. We were fortunate to meet some Canadian and German cruisers who also spoke English so we could make some friends while we were there. The photo above is the anchorage and town of Les Saintes. The church bell tower is in the center and is rung every hour by hand.

In the small towns life is like it was 100 years ago. Every morning the townspeople go out to pick up bread and buy fresh produce or fish. On Les Saintes fish is sold in this open air market on the water. The fish were probably caught that morning. The market in the photo above is in Pointe A Pitre. We quickly adopted the lifestyle of picking up fresh fruits, vegetables and fish every day to cook for dinner that night.

Something we did not expect to find was that the signature fabric on Guadeloupe is Madras. They use the plaids to make everything from clothes to table cloths. We bought several yards of fabric to make something when we get home. Now Frances whishes she had bought this outfit, too!  Guadeloupe was a pleasure in many ways. 

Now we are in Dominica which is completely different. More on that in the next blog.

Thank you for all your kind e mails and calls after the loss of Al's brother last month.

All our best,  

Frances and Al