reunion with one favorite island

I know this place, been here many times before. St Barts makes for such a convenient (cocktail) stop on the way between St Martin and Antigua. This is as close to our beloved French riviera as you can come in the Caribbean. Thankful for every moment we spend on this island.

jazz on pelican beach

Always having such a great time with our dear Canadian friend Reg Bates. You might remember that Reg owns Weather Eye Yachts, the best yacht broker you can find in the Caribbean. He's been a tremendous help in regards of selling our old boat and buying of our new one, so lucky to have found him. Buying and selling a vessel can often be a very personal, emotional affair and not everyone are as lucky as we've been, to find the right middle man. Bonus of course when your broker also proves to be a crazy, funny and warm person and we've had so much fun with this man ever since we met the first time. Thanks again dear for an amazing day in the sun!

My bikini is from Agua de Coco and Beach Fashion Shop. Earrings from We Dream In Colour.

randoms from the sea

Just a few snapshots from these past few days with Alex's lovely little sister Julie - from Guadeloupe to Antigua to St Barts and St Martin... 

last night at Carre d'Or

We were lucky to get a perfect slip in between gorgeous super yachts and right outside our favorite place: Petro's sophisticated Le 88, a Greek lounge/restaurant which is squeezed in between the Cartier, Hermés and Cavalli boutiques on the main road of St Barts. A vodka pamplemousse never tastes better than after a 12,5 hour long sail in the sun. A few of those please and you're back on track.

in light winds

It went pretty well to begin with, had good wind for the first seven hours, then it died out and a large swell from the Atlantic messed up the little wind there was. Engine on for the last five hours but it was fun as long as it lasted. Arrived in St Barts just after sunset.

caribbean taste...

.. is the name of a nice, authentic Antiguan restaurant located on a dirt road behind the yacht club. a must if you want to enjoy fresh local west indian food in Antigua.

french west indian treats

We're so predictable it's silly. accras de morue (fried cod) are always being ordered when arriving to Guadeloupe. As well as boudin antillais (blood sausage) of course. Not to mention how we attack the shelves of the grocery stores where yoghurt, cheese, wine, meat, bread and patés are the golden treasures.

sunday night

greetings from Guadeloupe.

flawless

We had an amazing day of sailing around the NW coast of Antigua with Caos and her new owner, the other day. As the boat is being completely empty and because she had recently got some hull treatment - she sailed better than ever before. I think it was the first time that we could really enjoy and appreciate those new beautiful North Sails sails for real. 20 knots of wind was blowing from the NE and Caos pushed right through the water like a pro. We even beat that Hinckley 40' which seemed to be in a race mood. Too bad for them, Caos was the clear winner of the day. Thanks Michael for a great week, looking very much forward to sail with you and Caos again in a few months. 

bonito

We had time to visit a fantastic restaurant in St Barts the other night. Bonito is one of our top five dining favorites in the Caribbean. Elegant yet cozy atmosphere, great food with the best selection of ceviche to be found in the West Indies, attentive service and occasionally interesting live musicians visiting. This is the type of place one has to get dragged out from as you're too comfortable to leave. I love bars and restaurants where they've managed to create a feeling of that you're invited into someone's living room.

A better person

What is it that brings people to sail the waters of our world more than freedom, independence and peace of mind like I was taking about yesterday? Vistas like this of course. It must do something good for your brain and your heart to wake up to a view like this instead of rain and clutter which is the case in many parts of the world. I can even go that far to claim that a view like this is what have made me a better person, just because I need less of everything else so to say. I can jump off our boat any second and enjoy the luke warm water, maybe have a turtle swimming by and all along the way get warmed by the healing sunshine. In moments like that there isn't much else you would want to wish for yourself. You feel kind of content with what there is, right there right now. 

P.S: Don't forget to check in a bit later, will share with you our favorite sites of the month.

P.S 2: And do not miss to check out what the worlds greatest/largest/most famous sailing website, Sailing Anarchy, has to say about our little video today, find it here. Thank you for featuring us yet again.

Green Island

A sunny and refreshing weekend was spent in Nonsuch Bay. This is how Duende is most beautiful. Anchored in a serene spot surrounded by clear turquoise water and lush green hills. Can't wait to do more of this when we are done with our missions here in Antigua.

New destination

Friday evening approaching and we are preparing the boat for tomorrow's sail to another beautiful side of the island. Have a blissful weekend you all, ours will be spent on and in the water. Will try to mix work and pleasure in the most comfortable way possible.

the other night

The view alone is worth the hike up that steep hill. Yea I guess we could've taken the golf cart from the resort but for some reason we always manage to make everything as complicated as possible for ourselves. Sweaty and with cramp in our legs (especially me with my high heels) we arrived to the top of the hill but the atmosphere and ambiance of this place totally managed to take our breath away and get us forget the pain, at least for a while.. Carmichaels is, in our humble opinion, one of the best places on Antigua for a romantic and/or stylish dinner where the manager Clifford Hanes, a charming man with much knowledge and discreet professionalism, runs his place in sophisticated manners. Hope we'll get a chance to go again very soon.

Here's another great night at one of our other most favorite Antiguan restaurants.