Thursday - fixing the starter motor

We had a plan to get parts and fix the starter motor early today but like the weather things changed very quickly. The French guy on a neighbouring super cat offered to help fix our engine and he managed to do that quicker than expected so we rewarded him with a bottle of gin. Unfortunately the fix is only temporary and tomorrow we have a plan to drive down to the chandlery to buy a new part. We really want to get Faraway out sailing but won't be able to do this now until at least Saturday. Also during the morning a tropical storm rolled in and saturated us in heavy rain.

Second Day - getting the necessities

We started the day off early with a refreshing swim then headed to the local US Market for groceries. It was a bit of a wild taxi ride and we spent around euros 600 for half a trolley full of food. Ian and I were starving and we munched 2 fresh croissants and a container of orange juice down in the supermarket car park. After the shop we went back to Faraway and stowed everything away. I cooked an awesome meal of pork chops and veges and we washed it down with a bottle of New Zealand white wine.

First Sundowners

We spent our first sundowners on the foredeck of Faraway with a cool beverage. The first evenings dinner was at Calypso restaurant and we had freshly caught Mahi Mahi and Grouper. Absolutely delicious.

The Beach - St. Maarten

It was so hot we had to have a swim and we weren't disappointed the beach was incredibly beautiful and refreshing after our long journey to paradise.

Ian after unloading 5 bags

The photo says it all really. This is how Ian looked after loading and unpacking our 5 bags. The heat and humidity was incredible even after Saudi but we didn't realise then that a tropical storm was heading our way.

Sheryl boarding Faraway

We had to use a plank at first to board Faraway. This is a photo of Sheryl 'walking the plank'.

We have arrived in St. Maarten

Ian and I arrived in St. Maarten on Tuesday, December 14 after a long journey from Saudi Arabia. After literally departing in a cloud of dust from a sandstorm we arrived in tropical paradise. As the plane came in to a steep approach we could see people waving at us from the beach.

Faraway was safely tucked away in the marina on a secure berth and we managed to load all our 5 bags onboard her in the humidity. We changed into our swimsuits and hit the beach to wash off the travel dust and grime.

That evening we relaxed on the deck and watched the sun set behind the mountains. We truly were in the most beautiful place to start our adventure. This is a photo of the Radisson Marina where Faraway is moored.