We arrived in St. Pierre, Martinique on Wednesday and had a lazy afternoon. Thursday, we went into town, checked-in at customs and then had a look around. Fortunately, Glen speaks French fluently and so we have no problems communicating with the locals. We checked out the museum and the remains of a really classy theatre, built around 1775. We had a hot walk with Susan, Lee and Bennett from Alberta Clipper a couple of miles up to the Depaz Rhum Distillery. Great tour and a little tasting. Really sweltering.
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| Market near the town dock |
Not as hot, though, as May 8, 1902 when Mount Pelée erupted and blew hot gases and ash down on the town. Incinerated the 30,000 people who lived here. Three survivors; a girl who was found adrift in a boat, a guy deep in a prison cell and another guy on the outskirts of town. Burned and sank 12 ships in the harbour. That was a good day NOT to be in St. Pierre.
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| View from the top of the Fort |
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| Remains of the Fort |
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| Remains of the church |
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| Mount Pelée in the clouds |
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| Rum barrels at Depaz |
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| Depaz water wheel generated 6 HP |
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| This 325 HP steam engine used to pump water to the fountains at Versailles |
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| Roadside lunch |
Off to Grande Anse d'Arlet and points south. We will skip Fort de France this trip and save it to explore some other time.
I like the "Bottle" that I got from you! Not Rhum but it's what I like. We're headed to Bequia in the early morning. Should be there for 10 - 15 days or so.
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