Last Day Ashore: Reverie and Ritual

One more delectable dinner of grilled fish and papaya in a small village in Ile des Saintes. A very small village. Had to wake up the locals to catch and cook our dinner.

Then back to the dock at Pointe a Pitre, safe and sound! Home port.

Captain Pope's ritual: Ritual: thanking Mother Earth for returning us safely to the dock.

Boat inspection and return of security deposit, with that handsome French fellow at the charter company. (Remember him from the beginning of the charter?)

Then back to E Gwada Hostel and friendly host and manager Jean (who massaged my foot when he heard about my injury, and scrounged Pope and I a private room when our reservation disappeared, even though they were full; at left in photo).

 

After a pleasant night under the mosquito net, off to the rum distillery. We had to do at least one tourist trap! Free samples and some nice gardens.

 

Beautiful brown beaches on the north shore of Basse Terre. Last swim in the ocean.

Grilled fish at a beach shack with a tin roof.

Barb and Amber make a splash at the tourist information center at Pointe-Noire Basse Terre--first visitors all week, perhaps? (Photo courtesy of the tourist bureau)

One more stop recommended by the tourist bureau: popular black sand beach near the Soufriere volcano. Crowded with French tourists--naturally.

Making coconut sorbet while we wait.

Lush rainforest and waterfalls in Guadeloupe National Park.

Last beer on the island. Can you get any more laid back?