While sailing to Statia...

We caught 2 black fin tunas at the same time.

Montserrat, its volcano, and resilient residents

Montserrat - in 1995 the Soufriere Hills volcano erupted  destroying the capital Plymouth.  Exodus of the population followed in the safe zone.  In 2003 the volcanic dome collapsed, and thinking the volcano was going to sleep, people started repairing their houses and businesses.  But in 2006, volcanic activities (collapsed dome, ash, and pyroclastic flows,...) started again.  We had the chance to go and tour the exclusion zone with a great guide, Joe Philip... he explained everything in great detail; what a dramatic scenery:

View of Montserrat from Agave as we approached

1995 Eruption of Soufriere Hills Volcano

Ash and steam eruption in 2009

Plymouth before 1995

Plymouth now: it is no more.

Plymouth now: it is no more.

View from a 4-star hotel; the i-pad shows the before view.

The entrance to the ex 4-star hotel

The rooms of the hotel

The office of the hotel.

Papy & Mamy onboard Agave

After our friends left from Antigua, we sailed back down to Guadeloupe to pick up the boys' grandparents who flew from Paris to sail on Agave for 2 weeks.  In Deshaies, we visited a botanical garden with thousands of species of plants, waterfall, rivers, ponds, parakeets, macaws, and flamingos, etc... We then headed back down to the charming islands of Les Saintes, and also spent some time in Marie-Galante which we toured by car.  In summary: lots of swimming and card games, and quiet evenings in tranquil anchorages after a couple of sporty sails...

In the botanical garden of Deshaies, Guadeloupe

L'arbre du voyageur

 

Le Bourg, Les Saintes

Pain de Sucre anchorage - Agave is smack in the middle.

St Louis Anchorage - Marie Galante Island.