BON VOYAGE, Begonia!

Baie Nettlé, Marigot , St. Martin – Phew!  What a spectacular week!  Since arriving in St. Martin we have been non-stop.   Even before St. Martin with the visit of Enrique and Jane and family, we had (gladly) changed our routine a bit:  no homeschooling, not a lot of cooking on the boat and a lot of sight-seeing.  After about a week in St. Martin, getting acclimated to the island, we were visited by Pablo and Nicole and family.  Pablo is a dear friend of Sebastian’s from Patagonia and he and Nicole currently live in Vancouver.  It was a long journey for them and their little guys:  Lucas (6) and Sebi (4) but they made it here about 10 days ago, renting a condo on the east side of the island in Oyster Pond.   The condo served as our home base where we had a pool, showered, BBQ-ed, etc.  It was thrilling to swim in water that was not salty and use endless amounts of hot water.

Unfortunately the sea was very rough during their visit so we really only sailed twice with the two families – much to the kids’ dismay, since they were chomping at the bit to go snorkeling.  The first day we did get out on the water with everyone, it was very hot and uncomfortable – probably the worst seas we have had yet on this voyage.  Most everyone was feeling a bit queasy  – especially the kids.  We had all the tell-tale signs of sea-sickness:  yawning, burping, irritability, either whining or complete silence and lots of fixating your gaze on a stable marker so that even if someone is speaking to you, you don’t even look their way because the risk of turning your head from the horizon just a fraction of an inch will have you visiting the side of the boat pretty quickly!  Luckily no one actually got sick on the one-hour sail to the little island of Tintamarre where many snorkelers go.  The kids enjoyed it and it was a pleasant treat after having felt so sick.  Most other days we spent at the pool, which the kids enjoyed immensely anyway.

Mid-week, after signing a rental contract on my apartment, the group made the collective decision to change hotels and locations.  This way, we could use the already-paid-for apartment as home base and Begonia would just be parked out in front in the Lagoon.  Pablo and Nicole could save on hotel costs and it would be more convenient due to the apartment’s location for getting the boat ready for the Atlantic Crossing mobilizing people.  Not only did we have the visit from Pablo and Nicole, which in itself was a blast, but we had two other guys, J.C and Daniel, also great friends from Patagonia and crew members for the Crossing arrive midweek, so the dynamic of the group changed a bit with Pablo sleeping on the boat in the lagoon so all the 4 could relive old times, and Sofia and Benjie and me sleeping with Nicole and her boys in the apartment.  I felt sorry for Nicole who had intended to have a nice vacation with her family and then ended up shacking up with us!  The 4 kids had a blast though having a “sleepover” every night… although it sure wasn’t a “blast” for Nicole and I to try to get 4 very excitable little kids to sleep in a shared bed for about 4 nights in a row.

It felt a bit like we were in the “Chicken Little” story where new characters, like “Turkey-Lurkey,” and “Loosey-Goosey” keep  joining forces with others to visit the king… we kept adding characters  to the picture and people to the apartment and boat! 

A couple of days after “J.C.-Schmacey” and “Daniel-Waniel’s” arrival, Lula and Malena arrived.  These two Argentinean women are also friends from Patagonia who have already done an Atlantic crossing.   This will actually be Malena’s third crossing, so input as crew for the Crossing has been important.    Poor ladies ended up sleeping on Begonia’s salon table which converts into a bed.

I always knew we were extremists.  It’s not enough to live n a sailboat for a year (and a half?), but we vacationed with Pablo and Nicole, the 4 boys/men had a reunion, the crew arrived for the Crossing and on top of all this, we worked hard to get the boat in order: repairs, laundry, provisions, water, fuel, etc.  We intended to have a nice Bon Voyage dinner with the 12 of us, but with everyone working so hard and so late, the party kind of fizzled.  We were extremely ambitious.  At least with so many people around the apartment and the boat, we were able to split off into smaller groups once in a while to do a little bit of sight-seeing or relaxing or drinking coffee, etc.

So, with that said, Sebastian and his crew left this morning, Friday, May 6 at 8am to cross the Atlantic.  Estimated arrival in the Azores:  15-20 days.

We are very thankful to Pablo and Nicole for helping with the kids while Sebastian and I were arranging the school for the kids and our apartment, for allowing us to use the rental car for this purpose.  Thanks also for the wonderful meals and gifts for the children.  La verdad se pasaron!  Thanks mostly for their friendship.  It was yet another great moment spent with the Nepomnaschys.

Pablito and Nicole - dear friends

Night on the Town!

Girls' Afternoon in Marigot

The four "cousins"

Just Hangin' at la plage

A Patagonian Planning Party

The Crossing Crew: (l to r) JC, Sebas, Daniel, Malena, Lula

Bye-bye Begonia... we'll see you on he other end of the pond!

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FOUNTAINE PAJOT ATHENA 38 CATAMARAN FOR SALE – After our wonderful experience, BEGONIA is ready for its next sailing family – with or without children!  Please contact sebastiankoziura@hotmail.com for more information.