St. Maarten

Lainie posing with me while I sailed
Random Wind.

St. Maarten (187 nautical miles from Puerto Rico) is an island divided. The northern part of the island is French-owned, casual, elegant and peaceful. Marigot is the capital city and because we did not venture over to this part of the island, that is about all I can say that isn't hearsay. OK, hearsay told us that it is very French.

The lively counterpart country of the same island name to the north has the capital of Philipsburg. This is where our catamaran sailing adventure began. Our entire group disembarked the ship and walked into the crowded port area following a route description that led us to a dock where we met our hosts for the day. Anna, Lainie, and our captain, Koi, graciously met us and helped our group board the 30 ft. catamaran Random Wind. Don and I nested in the shade of the cockpit as the rest of our group gathered with the other guests and listened to Anna explain our day and the various boat rules for the day.

Captain Koi maneuvered the boat out of the harbor and threw up the mainsail and we were off. Everyone settled in and Koi started chatting with me asking questions about my boat experience. Immediately after hearing that I had sailed before he handed the helm over, pointed along the shore and said with a big smile "Here take us to that point over there and don't run her aground!" Then he proceeded to wander about chatting with the guests as I sailed toward a point of land far off in the distance. Koi checked back and adjusted our course giving me a second landmark to point to and was off again. What a great way to start our day!

Linda and the rest of the group went forward into the sun and chatted with the other guests as Anna and Lainie provided everyone with drinks and smiles. They were all wonderful hostesses and kept everyone happy and comfortable. Koi talked about sailing, surfing, and fishing with anyone around. He explained to us that he was originally from Brazil and started as a professional surfer. He then left the country and turned to sailing as his livelihood but still surfs whenever he gets a chance.

I approached our second mark and Koi then explained that we needed to round a red buoy ahead, where I would point her into the wind and we would drop anchor. We did just that and for the next hour and a half, everyone swam, snorkeled and SUPed (Stand Up Surfboarded) around the boat.

Koi cooking our lunch - chicken.

Anna demonstrates the trapeze swing.

Linda readies for her swing into the warm water.

Caroline readies for some snorkeling.

Grant takes his turn on the trapeze.

My turn to snorkel.