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Published: June 17th 2017
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Geo: 18.0404, -63.1042
We made it to Sint Maartin a few days before the start of the Heineken Regatta. We had signed on last year and had so much fun as Water Taxi volunteers that we decided to factor this year's regatta into our cruising plans. It works out quite well, as the Heineken Regatta falls on the first weekend in March, which is just past the middle of our season, this becomes our northern-most point. From here, we head south again.
The route we take is a funny one. Like many cruisers, we want to be around the 12 degree line (Grenada) for hurricane season. So we leave Grenada and head north from December to March/April while the winds tend to blow from the north. We turn around and head south again, just in time for the winds to make their springtime shift to come from the south. In other words, no matter which way we are going, we are constantly fighting the winds. Likely, we have the luxury of time. We can wait for a good weather window to make our moves.
Once again, we were part of the Water Taxi Team. Although this year was
not as busy as last year, (there were 40 less boats registered this year), we still had a great time. It was especially fun to work with some of the same people whom we had met last year. Ah, yes, volunteering for the Heineken…midnight shifts that ran until 3am…total lack of sleep (boy, it's hard to sleep once the sun is up!) and utter disruption to our routine, but absolute energy, enjoyment and as the slogan goes: SERIOUS FUN! We basically chauffeur around all the regatta participants from shore to boats, boats to shore and to the various parties over the course of the weekend. It's so cool to meet the international teams and hear their stories. Ninety-nine point nine percent of the people are incredibly appreciate of the water taxi service. They are on vacation, in paradise, and having the time of their lives. We only had one silly, obnoxious drunk who we whisked off the dock and back to his boat faster than he could say another nasty word.
But the first thing we did upon arrival in SXM was make sure to visit with EYCer Keith, who was on his last few days of his annual
two month stay.
There were so many EYCers here again this year! Dagmar and David were on a two week vacation on land, and a whole crew, including Bruce and Karen, were chartering a sailboat for the regatta.
In our second week, we were recovering from our last night shifts, and getting ready for Chuck to visit for a long weekend, but suddenly got an email from one of Tony's daughters who was unexpectedly flying into Sint Maarten after missing her cruise ship in Fort Lauderdale.
So we borrowed a vehicle from a friend and met Madison and her boyfriend, Eric, at the airport. We got them to their hotel, and then showed them around a bit. The following day, we met them in Phillipsburg after they had checked onto their cruise ship. We had a great time catching up for two days. Their unexpected visit was an absolute delight! xoxo
Two days later we were at the airport again to pick up Chuck. When we asked Chuck what he wanted to do while in SXM, the Florida resident wanted to go to the beach! Well, we aim to please. So, we spent three days at
the beach! 😉 A beautiful part of being in SXM is that we are surrounded by cruising friends we've made over the past four years, as well as people we know from EYC and Toronto. The cruising community is surprisingly small.
From here we will start to move south again.
Once again, we've booked a spot in Grenada for hurricane season.
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