Bless those Saints

Marigot swings Bastille: 11-15 Jul 08

Fort Louis, St Martin

We arrived in Marigot Bay just in time to help St Martin prepare for Bastille Day (14 Jul). The Port Authorities asked us to up-anchor and move into the commercial port area, Port de Glaisbay, just north of a recently constructed Marina Fort St Louis as fireworks had been planned from a nearby floating platform. As we negotiated our way into a sheltered anchorage we heard a rousing “oi”. Andy (from Melbourne) and Lisa waved an Aussie flag back at us from their yacht, lovingly referred to as “fat boy”. 

Go Aussie!!

We were also treated to a day long concert; a great day for “limin'” like locals - eating too much, drinking too much and chatting too much. The ear-splitting music was excellent - our first exposure to “steel drums”. Later that evening, local rap dancers had the crowd fuelled. Dance and music is very much part of the culture here.

These young guys played for hours

Marigot is, on a normal day, very quaint; very French. It’s quite laid back; shops are closed for lunch from 12noon to 3pm. Of course they 're full of expensive clothing, jewellery (Yvonne, Colombian emeralds?) although I understand that being a duty free port, prices are exceptional. Of course, the other thing is great patisseries selling the most wonderful lemon tarts (reminding me of the UTS French café, girls!!) and real coffee. “Dat is koffie, mon”; I fully agree with wisdoms written inside my cup.

Local Races

Of course one does have to be peeved by all the nice looking French girls – very stylish and as skinny as the baguettes they all have under their arms! How do they do it? I’ve seen those custard slices…