Guadeloupe

We have been having a great time in Guadeloupe for the past few days. We are in Deshaies (Day-hay) on the northwest coast, on a free municipal mooring. Guadeloupe is a French island and it’s beautiful and clean! The currency is the Euro but the dollar is pretty strong right now so it’s not too expensive. Being a French island, the language is of course French and few people speak English, but everyone is very nice and as accommodating as they can be. We love it here!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guadeloupe

Sidetracking here… We made quesadillas the other day from French cheddar, fresh mozzarella and chorizo, they were excellent!

Salsa, sour cream, homemade guacamole:

We left St Kitts for Guadeloupe a few days ago, bypassing Nevis:

We are here in Deshaies, Guadeloupe:

Sunset Guadeloupe:

Took a walk (several) up the hill to customs to check in. Could never find the office to be open and there was a sign in the window “make sure you check in/out in The Saints before leaving the country.” The Saints are islands on the south coast and we plan to stop there anyway so…:

Walked back to town. The town is very small and everything is within walking distance:

We ate at this pizza place the first night here, the food was very good!

We met up with Dirk and Nancy from Renegade, which was nice! We found the bakery/pastry shop. It wasn’t difficult to find, it’s right across from the dinghy dock! Sooooo goood!

Waterfront and dinghy dock:

Six of us rented this minibus and drove down the west coast to hike up an active volcano:

It was a long drive through windy mountainous roads so we didn’t stop for many pictures, we just took some random shots along the way:

This is Pigeon Island which is the Cousteau Underwater Park. We have to dive here, if not this trip definitely during the trip back:

http://www.atlantisformation-guadeloupe.com/en/Discover-the-Cousteau-Marine-Park-its-wildlife-and-outstanding-marine-life_a8.html

A couple more random shots:

After a couple hour drive we arrived at the national park:

Smile…

Ok….

This is a little pond at the base of the Volcano just up from the parking lot. After climbing to the summit, which is 4500 feet up, and returning to the base, people take a dip. Some just sit and dip their feet, others jump right in. I felt the water and it was probably in the high 80s or low 90s.

Starting the climb, through a rain forest:

At a few points along the way you reach plateaus. The winds were howling and we were in the clouds:

Through some narrow spots:

Progressively steeper as you near the top, and the sulfur smell got stronger as well:

Beautiful foliage:

It got very cold. Fun!

Volcanic vent, do not “entre vou.” Actually I think there was a sign right next to this one that said “Danger Poison Gas, Do Not Enter”:

Soooo of course:

Up a bit more:

This is one of the openings at the top. The sulfur smell was very strong and when the breeze was right you get hit with the venting hot steamy gas!

The color of the earth changed along the way. Jet black gravel at the bottom to dark red, then bright white slivers in gray gravel , then this:

This crater was across from the venting crater and it was full of natural tropical foliage:

On the way down, the clouds would break for a moment or two making for beautiful views:

We had a great time. On the trip back, we stopped on the beach adjacent to Pigeon Island and had a beer at a beach bar, then headed home..

We are going to hang out here for a while and wait for some strong winds to die down a bit, so we can move on. We have been walking, hiking, and snorkeling – not only for enjoyment but also to counteract the baguettes and cheese! More later…