Let’s start this post with our visit yesterday evening to Gustavia’s lighthouse. Quite crowded with locals having a big apero! As usual, stunning views there, I will never get bored ;-)

The “classical” view Impressive tree below the lighthouse Another perspective on the tree Turning to an unreal orange

This morning, after the now typical showers, we were heading to Lorient Beach. Always a good place for a walk (up to Autour du Rocher too). Crazy colors, the Bay was really fantastic and “wild”…

Entering Lorient beach From the rock near Autour du Rocher From the end of the beach Green and blue

This evening, quite excited as we will go for Le Gaiac!

Interesting day again :-) The morning was quite rainy with some showers…and a first great moment with a marvelous rainbow over the Marigot Bay.

Rainbow over Marigot Bay So no beach and we’ve decided us for the Natural pools stroll at Grand Fond. As usual, lots of fantastic views, landscapes, changing colors. And a funny heavy shower when returning back, when we were at the Washing Machine :-)

Changing lights at Grand Fond Beautiful waves Washing machine, always impressive Arriving at the natural pools Waves at the natural pools Mother and son in the wind Heavy shower approaching Shower! And a little turtle in the middle of the path when coming back…

Little turtle
 

This evening, a dark dinner at L’Isola!

Again a windy day, but no covered sky and no showers (yet).
As the 3 of us have little sunburns, we decided not to go for another stroll this morning.
Coming from the European grey winter to the Caribbean sun is definitely a challenge for our skins…

After 5 days, I have to say: not so many mosquitoes this year. At the villa and other places. Perhaps also due to the wind?
So we headed towards Saint Jean beach (airport side, not Pelican).
Take-off spectacle is still great, as this beach and its beautiful colors and sand.
Again a good water polo training in the waves. I have to admit I have started to have muscle aches after 3 days :-)
Still very funny.

Nice beach with the Eden Rock

Sand and light reflection

Sand and light reflection (bis)

These colors!

And transparency…

The (now famous) fences are really blocking for making the stroll on the whole beach.
The landing strip is now well protected (too much?).

Fences to protect the landing area 

We’ve seen a lot of turtles in the Bay this afternoon, so I will re-try some snorkeling but not today anymore.
This evening, dinner at Bonito in Gustavia.

During our nice dinner yesterday evening at Eden Rock, we have decided to go for a combination for today: first the Grand-Cul-de-Sac – Petit-Cul-de-Sac stroll early in the morning and then, Flamands. Again quite a windy day with a rough sea.
The stroll was really so great this year! Brilliant lights, very big waves to entertain us :-) We had all 3 really a blast and were impressed by this beauty, even if it’s definitely not the first time we did this stroll!

Between Grand and Petit Cul-de-Sac, with the island “La Tortue” behind

Nice waves

A rock hit by big waves

When two waves meet themselves…

Wave before the crash

At the back, Petit Cul-de-Sac, and some old stone walls

Then back to Grand Cul-de-Sac

After the stroll, we were heading to Flamands beach. Again, the full program there: readings, siesta, water polo in the waves.

Flamands beach

Back home for lunch, we’ve stayed at the villa the whole afternoon. First short snorkeling (visibility still not ok) at Marigot Bay and dinner at Côté-Port in Gustavia.
With a beautiful sunset just before leaving….

day03 portfolio is here (lots of waves pictures):
http://visuals.didierbeck.com/French…Dailies/Day03/

Second day in paradise, we have now fully adopted the island groove, cool!
The day started with a fantastic sunrise at about 06:30 when I was going to the bakery passing through Grand Fond. And even better a bit later at Toiny.

Sunrise at Grand Fond

Sunrise at Toiny

After a good breakfast, we have decided ourselves for Saline. We were there at about 08:00. Nobody – actually one car and one person swimming! It seemed that it has rained just before we arrived. The beach is quite clean, a bit of seaweeds (small pieces, really) and a pile of on the far end right on the beach, almost nothing in the water. Quite a windy morning with funny waves. We have started our “vacation” water-polo training (I mean for Julien, not for me :-), was super funny in the waves, lot of laughs!

Saline this morning when we arrived

Saline – Waves

Saline – Fantastic colors

After a lunch at home, we stayed there and profit from our swimming-pool with its fantastic view on Anse de Marigot.

Swiming-pool

Then first shopping at Saint Jean and diner at Eden Rock (more on this later).
What for a day :-) I’m sure I will sleep like a baby.

Late afternoon landing in St Barth :-)
Quite a stress this year to leave home, uneventful travel including luggage.
Quite a windy afternoon (interesting landing with several strong turbulence over La Tourmente) but umhhhh aaahhhh, so warm here. :-)
First known faces at the airport which is helping to enter the SBH groove.
We got our Mini and went to our rented villa (this year at Marigot), first pictures – sunset. Wow.
Then, a quick (good) diner at Le Bouchon and “un petit tour” at Lorient’s supermarket, as it’s open till 9pm.
Some little rains, but you know, the warm ones!
Good cigar (Montecristo) on the terrace with a first Rhum Vanille from La Gloriette eheh.
Slowing down and fighting against jetlag.
H a p p y!

Bye bye Saint Martin (nice renovation in the airport), first nice lights

You know you are at the end of the long journey when you see…

We arrived in the villa with *this* view (part of SBH groove)

Captured just before the night (I think we will have fun with this villa)

To be continued….