ILES DES SAINTES- FWI

Although we had not yet exhausted the list of all we wanted to see and do in Guadeloupe, we set sail for its sister island group- Iles des Saintes also known as The Saints.  At the time, making the 10 mile trip was a better point of sail and ES made good time.  We dropped anchor in a small bay on the eastern side of Terre d’en Bas that was unmarked as such, although three boats were there.  The Saints are largely a fishing area and this bay was next to a lesser bay with fleet of small French fishing skiffs. 

Many tropicals were loaded with fruit like this breadfruit tree.



Very cool playground (notice CONCH)

 The next day we made our way around the island to Anse De Fideling where we were able to hike the roads around the quiet villages a bit and have a wonderful dinner ashore.  There was no written menu… we were given the choice of a “whole fish or a filet” in broken English IF we returned after 7 pm. (Getting used to eating LATE is another subject altogether!)  We feasted on platters of rice, veggies, fruit and grouper while finishing a bottle of white wine for only 60 Euros!

View of The Saints from Fort Napoleon

The islands that comprise The Saints are a stone’s throw from one another, so the next day we motored on to Bourg de Saintes on the main isle of Terre d’en Haut.  Here we found it increasingly easier to find an islander who spoke a little English.  The Saints, we learned, are where many Guadeloupeans have their “cottage” and multiple ferries can get them there pretty quickly inexpensively. (For almost less that a round trip toll on the Chicago Skyway, with much less traffic.)  The islands are relatively small and easy enough to walk around IF you can handle the mountains and we did.