Fun with the French

From Guadalupe we jumped down to Martinique, another French island.  In between we passed Dominica, which hurt to miss but, Becca had a flight to catch.  We were on a schedule now and had to make time.  It was an overnight sail and the biggest event was a rain squall that hit just after sunrise.  Becca said she saw a waterspout but didn't point it out to anyone until after it had dissipated.  Becca's observations are suspect.

 

(Sailing into the storm line)

 

(Becca readies for a stormy evening)

(Approaching a cloud covered Martinique)

 

 

We put in at the historic port of Saint Pierre.  Once Martinique's main port and capital city, that all changed in 1902 when the island's volcano, Mount Pelee, erupted.  The "Paris of the Caribbean" was totally destroyed with a loss of more than 30,000 lives.  The only survivor was a drunk who's stone jail cell protected him from the destruction.  Though badly burned over most of his body, he managed to survive in his cell for nearly a week before being rescued.  He was later picked up by the Barnum and Bailey Circus and toured the world as part of their side show.  Mark and I learned all this at the town's volcano museum, where we also got to see boxes of nails welded together and a church bell that had been crushed like soft clay. 

 

(Saint Pierre, Martinique)

 

 

(Saint Pierre, Martinique)

 

 

The island is also famous for its rum industry.  Apparently, Martinique is to rum what Scotland is to whiskey.  The closest distillery to Saint Pierre, and the only one in walking distance, is the Depaz distillery, just outside of town.  Off we went.  The day was brutally hot and it was long steep walk, but there was free rum at the end of it so we kept going.

(Impressive fruit)

 

 

(Cool tree on Martinique)

 

The Depaz Rum Distillery was a beautiful property, up on a hill overlooking the town and harbor, nestled amongst the sugar cane fields.  The tour was free, self guided, ending in the gift shop where samples were handed out freely and without limit.  On the tour, we were behind what appeared to be a French high school class.  Fun field trip.  And, were more than a little surprised when they all filed into the gift shop and each and every one partook liberally of the free samples before filling their arms with liquor bottles and staggering to the cashier counter.  I wish I was raised French.

(Depaz Rum Distillery)

(Depaz Rum Distillery)