Renting a car

RENTING A CAR

While waiting for the rental car Greg, s/v Indigo, ordered, I was fascinated with this painting of bananas (?) in the next door shop's window.

It was a trip to be in a little 5-speed 4 seater car going fast!

This winding road sign was different.

Hectares of banana plantations. The bagged ones are for export Kathy explained.

Finally figured out that this is a No Parking sign.

Our first stop: Habitation Clement. It is one of the seven rhum (yes French spell rum rhum) distilleries around Martinique. and I thought the French only did vino . . .

Sugar cane lined walkways were all over.

Greg & Kathy listening to the handheld electronic recordings that give info based on the signs that are numbered to describe the site purpose or happening.  

99 caskets of rhum on the wall

99 caskets of rhum 

take one down and pass it around

99 people come tumbling down!

The grounds were lovely.

Civilization

CIVILIZATION

 We ordered ice cold Lorriane (Martinique) beers 

and watched this rooster graze for crumbs.

This boy teased the chicken, but then jumped back when it got close.

The Carib Grackle will steal food out of your hand!

Their eyes are bright yellow.

After a delicious meal, rose and mineral water, we walked through the 

parking & stall area of  Grande Anse de Salines looking for a Taxi.

Wanna cuppa?

No taxis, no buses.

Lunch time was over and things were closing up. Still no taxis. Still no buses. Greg cracked the whip! Hut, two, three, four! Keep on keeping on boys and girls, so we continued on the footpath to Ste. Anne's. 

With still at least a mile to go, I had to stop and say a prayer we'd -I'd- make it!

One foot in

KEEPING ON, KEEPING ON!

We kept-on keeping on. We'd been walking for miles.

It was promising to see a bridge up ahead. 

Rocks were the path to get to the bridge where a man was in the water.

Gene observing the man in the water.

The man had a crab tied onto a string to lure fish into his net.

Wish I knew the name of the river that flows to the sea.

"A river runs through it."

Apparently there are a lot of rivers in Martinique

due to its mountainous terrain and volcanoes.

Finally civilization!

Our Scout Master, Greg s/v Indigo, was the one who got us into this 3 hr (so far) hike.

"Let's just take a little walk and see the east side of the island."

The sign he's standing by means there is ice cream inside. 

Greg also knew there was ice cold beer.

We took a well deserved break!

Trekking

TREKKING

The happy wanderers: Kathy, Greg & Gene.

Land crab trap. See the rock on top?

Another land crab trap only the land crap is trapped and the rock keeps it trapped!

At least we're on the right track.

East coast.

Table du Diablo in the background!

Kathy leaving Susea in the dust!

Whew, still not lost we think!

Greg left and Gene right. How did this lush island suddenly turn into a desert?

Greg, Kathy & Gene. Heading west, whew!

Ah, Diamond Rock, the pointed peak to the left. 

This means we're heading "home" after walking about 6 miles!

Who's idea was this trek anyway? Marathon Man Greg!

Hiking

HIKING

We went to shore for a hike to the east side of Martinique.

The road out of Ste. Anne's is fascinating. 

Gene, Kathy & Greg (s/v Indigo).

Melons! Actually cantaloupe to Americans.

Even though this farm was private the public is allowed to walk through in daylight to get to the beach. Nice of them. But our hike had only just begun . . .