Nevis is nice and Culebra easy.


On February 8th we sailed from Antigua to Nevis which took 8 hours. Nevis was a quick stop on the way to Puerto Rico. It's a small island with just a few tourists. We always try to check out the historical sights. Nevis has a museum about Lord Nelson and a History museum at Alexander Hamilton's birthplace. Al has been amazed in the islands at the historical items and artifacts displayed on open shelves. It's good the know that these small communities are interested in keeping their history alive. 

There is not much to do on Nevis and most people go there just to relax. There is one main street in town with old buildings that hold local businesses and a few restaurants and beach bars. The sunset views from the anchorage are wonderful and all the cruisers sit out in their cockpits every evening to watch the show.  


On February 11th we sailed to Culebra, Puerto Rico which took 35 hours. It was a nice downwind sail and we anchored just before sundown on the 12th. Being back in the USA made it easy for us because our phones work and Internet access is available on the boat. So much for getting away from it all!

We found Culebra to be very relaxing. The anchorage is quiet and calm. Everything is easy to get to, grocery stores, US Post Office, restaurants, places to snorkel, buses to the beach, and our favorite... the Dinghy Dock Restaurant. We met cruisers and characters there every night.

 On Flamenco beach there are two tanks  that were used by the US military as target practice. Other than that it is a gorgeous beach. In town most of the houses and shops are freshly painted. We loved our stay in Culebra and will definitely go back. 

After playing around since November the boat needs some attention. We have some projects and general maintenance to do and Puerto Rico is a good place to do it because the stores we need are close by. Frances already polished the stainless, including the shackles and Al is doing everything else. Not exactly! 


Thanks again to all our friends and loved ones who are following along.


All our best,
Frances and Al 

Anitgua

We sailed overnight from St Martin to Antigua with our friends Fran and Bob. It was a little rough going into the wind but great to have some help with the trip. Antigua has a restored British boatyard from the 1700's. Having spent plenty of time in boatyards ourselves we wanted to check it out.  To repair sails in the 1700's small boats would row into this channel and the sails were lifted into a huge sail loft supported by the columns. It is still a working marina and boat yard where the mega yachts come to enjoy the island and have repairs done. It's taking two men at once to varnish this mast it is so big. The original gate to the complex looks medieval with a door inside the gate and a hole in the door to see who's knocking at the gate! 

We toured an old sugar plantation where there is a restored sugar mill. We learned all about the sugar / rum making process. Something had to be done with the leftover products from producing refined sugar. Some smart person realized they could make rum.

The sugar mills and copper sugar pots are everywhere on the island.






This is Bob having a nice time listening to a steel drum band at a party and Fran at sunset on the trip over. They definitely left smiling!

We enjoyed the beaches too and also spent time in Jolly Harbor where we rejoined our friends on Mirliflore, Gypsy and Kalista. This last picture is the view of Montserrat from the anchorage in Falmouth harbor.
We left Antigua February 8th, stopped in Nevis and are now in Culebra, Puerto Rico.

Our best to all our friends and loved ones,

Frances and Al