Monthly Archives: September 2018

After taking a little time to ourselves after recovering from the tragic news of Jessica’s brother’s passing, we’re now in Antigua and have a few days before the excitement of Antigua Sail Week begins.

Realizing that our cupboards are getting empty since our last big provisioning trip was in Florida, we take the bus to the capital of St. John to hit a big and modern grocery store. Along the way we explore the town a bit, find their HUGE fresh market, and take in a lunch of shwarma and local beer.

A few days later, friends begin to arrive and we start to take full advantage of the company. Going out with our long time friends Bill and Grace of s/v Calico Skies, we find a snorkel spot at the entrance to Falmouth Harbour, and Grace even catches a stingray on film!

With love from Antigua!

Thank you SO MUCH to our Patrons. These amazing supporters help keep us on the boat, our camera equipment up to date, and the videos coming. Without our patrons, these videos would not be possible.

Thank you!,
Matt & Jessica

Plans have changed and we decide to stay in St. Barth’s!

To get out of the extremely rolly and uncomfortable main harbor, we drop our mooring ball and take the 2 mile trip around the corner to Anse de Colombier. Here we figure we can begin to tackle a few of the boat projects which need to be done before our Atlantic crossing.

Matt discussing our 3-D sheeting set-up for the mainsail, and I talk a little bit about route options and why we’ve decided to stay put. On our list of chores is removing the traveler from our boat, but before it can be *all* the way completed, our grinder burns out.

Making a few trips in the dinghy all the way back to town, we find that we can not get a replacement grinder in St. Barth’s…..and also learn of some tragic news back home.

With love from St. Barth’s!

Thank you SO MUCH to our Patrons. These amazing supporters help keep us on the boat, our camera equipment up to date, and the videos coming. Without our patrons, these videos would not be possible.

Thank you!,
Matt & Jessica

It turns out you don’t need a lot of money to be able to enjoy St. Barth’s. You just need a scooter to take full advantage of all its beaches.

Having spent much of our time centered in Gustavia, we wanted to see what else the tropical paradise of St. Barthelemy had to offer. And prior to this, when we asked other travelers what there was to see and do on the island, their answer was always ‘So and so beach’…and of course the airport.

Heading out in the morning we had a list of beaches to tackle, although really the main goal was just to drive and stop when something looked good. And it turns out…a lot of the beaches looked pretty good!

First was Anse de Colombier, which was a great hike leading to a beach and anchorage that left us drooling…and then back on the bike to Anse de Lorient which was fairly empty and had a laid back vibe.

Anse Marechal was the next stop for us…a popular beach with the kiteboarders. From the air, it was a spectacular view. Our fourth beach for the day we knew we needed to make a visit to. Anse de Grande Saline, or the nude beach. In French islands, all the beaches are topless, but usually they have one or two nude beaches also. And well….we kind of wanted the chance to go skinny dipping without getting a fine. The water here was amazing and we could have stayed all day.

There was a late lunch at JoJo’s Burger Shack before watching the planes come in to land at the airport…the 3rd most dangerous in the world. And then and visit to our last beach of the day…Govuneuers Harbour.

Saint Barthelemy, you have really stolen our hearts.

Cheers from St. Barth’s!

Thank you SO MUCH to our Patrons. These amazing supporters help keep us on the boat, our camera equipment up to date, and the videos coming. Without our patrons, these videos would not be possible.

Thank you!,
Matt & Jessica

Now that all of our chores in St. Martin are done, it’s time to head back to St. Barth’s and have A LOT of fun.

Arriving a few days after their annual regatta begins, the Voiles de St. Barth, we actually find ourselves sailing into Gustavia mid-race! And not knowing what the course is, we find ourselves right in the middle of the action!

Even if the ride to get there was a little bumpy and at some times hair raising because of all the boats finishing the course next to us, we were completely rewarded later that night at the festivities. A surprise concert by Jimmy Buffet! And, while trying to sneak toward the stage with my camera, I actually get pulled up there for the best seat in the house!

The remainder of the race week held a few more activities for us, like getting the chance to wander parts of the island and shoot a few photos for one of the companies we’re an ambassador for, Code Zero Sportswear. Not only do we get to sport some of their stylish gear for the event, but while going out to meet the founder, we even chill at the very posh Nikki Beach for a few cocktails.

Race weeks ends with some great live music, brilliant fireworks over the harbour, and a toast of Prosecco with old friends and new. Absolutely one of our best weeks in the Caribbean.

Cheers from St. Barth’s!

Thank you SO MUCH to our Patrons. These amazing supporters help keep us on the boat, our camera equipment up to date, and the videos coming. Without our patrons, these videos would not be possible.

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Thank you!,
Matt & Jessica