777 Air France was crampy and almost full. It was 8-hours flight and i was happy to disembark at 7 am (still dark) in Paris – Orly. We had to change airport: Orly to CDG. It is quite a distance. I decided to use fastest option: metro. We went from terminal 3 (exit 33) down to the station. At the ticket machines local lady helped me to choose inexpensive tarrif “Airport-airport” I paid 13 euro for the ticket plus 2 euro rechargable card. We boarded M14 metro line to travel to Chatelet-Les Halles station. There you have to transfer to Line B – Nord. It goes to CDG terminal 1 and terminal 2 (last stop).
Chatelet is like a crowded labirynth – take care and watch your pockets! Finally after 2 hours we reached CDG airport terminal 2B. SAS flight to Copenhagen and next one to Gdansk were on time and they were serving free tea or coffee during the flights. We landed at 3 pm. Br…. Cold and dark, no snow at all. I want to go back to the sun of Caribbean! We had there so good time…

It is time to come back home for Christmas… From Anse Mitan we started in the middle of the day. To the Martinique airport it is 22 km. No direct connection. Taxi is offered for 40 euro plus… I, the budget traveller took the public bus to Riviere Salee for 2,10 euro. Next bus for the same rate took me to Carrere bus hub. And from here bus A for 1,50 took me to the airport. Total cost: 5,70
In from of the clean terminal there are beautiful travellers palms to photograph – see the picture! At 4 pm there will be boarding open for the flight to Paris… I will be landing at Orly at 7 am. Bye, bye beautiful islands!

The local boy from the beach restaurant speaks English, but he said: I cannot explain about public bus: -Because I never used it! Shame! After some investigation I can do it for you: There are two unmarked bus stops nearby: at roundabout in Pointe Bout and roundabout in Anse Mitan. The key secret is to connect to martiniquetransport.mq
Define there origin (eg. My position) and destination and click “recherche”. They will give you all connections and options! The first bus from our position on Anse Mitan roundabout was going to the town Le Marin on the other side of Martinique. We paid to the driver 2.10 euro in cash and go, enjoying landscapes fro a/c seat.
Le Marin must be a capital of yacht sailing on Martinique. In the huge bay hundreds of yacht are waiting for sailors! Shops, workshops, sails… also bar and restaurants. We visited 18th century church of Saint Etienne, city hall near the vegetation-covered ruin and palm-fringed coastal promenade. Then the rain arrived and it was a time to come back for another 2,10. Nice, inexpensive excursion!

Today I took walking excursion to the next bay: Anne Bay. You can reach this destination by road making big loop. I preferred to walk. There ina path climbing the slope and descending to the next valley. I was walking in the light sandals, but it i ls safer to take stonger shoes sinse port of the path is stoney and muddy. After an hour I heve been already in Ann Bay – nice and clean but sleepy settlement. The sand of the beach is not as clean as in Mitan but they have more palms, and fishing boats. Direct ferry is coming here from Fort de France. No crowd. Recommended for those who are looking for quiet place for vacations. Nice, but hot day!

Can you imagine 5000 passengers leaving the ship? Fortunately I am for MSC “gold” member and I have priority. At 9.45 am I was already ashore. No control (it is France here) but the windmill- style port gate work so slooowly!
After the gate we started walk to the little public ferry carrying people across the bay – to Anse Mitan, where I booked accommodation for 3 nights. Ferry costs 7 euro one way, 9 euro retour. You have to buy ticket on the city bus stop nearby. Card payment only! It is worth to pay 7 euro just for the view of the Martinique from the ferry! But landing is not in Anse Mitan, but 1300 m away in Point du Bout. The walk to the pension was not long but terrible in the heat with all our luggage. I was waiting for the owner more than an hour to get a key. Let’s have a rest!

In the morning we docked in the capital of Grenada. It is picturesque island placed cole to Trinidad and South America. Last time I was climbing here to the Fort Frederic, overlooking the area. Today, at 29 deg Celsius I was hiking only to the Fort George gate (this nicely restored fort is occupied by the local police) then I took the stelp street to the catholic cathedral for the nice view through the window. The window of Grenada is Carenage – boulevard built around old port. Many litte ships anchor here. A important for travellers ferry to Cariacou Island (2 hours trip) is departing daily at 9 am and 5 pm. Local market is worth to rxplore for the spices (Grenada is known as Spice Island). In the evening we are departing back to Martinique where on Feb 13th I will say goodbye to the ship. Sorry, tomorrow will be day at see – no internet connection!

Saint Lucia, 29 deg Celsius. It is beautiful island. After visiting local craft market I decided to take local minibus (1 USD each way) to get closer to the Marigot Bay – famous for the film making. From the bus stop we were walking about 2 kms up and down to see finally the great panorama. During last year the bay was developed – there are expensive hotel and restaurants. It is also an ideal shelter for the yachts. To get to the miniature beach on the other side of the bay you have to pay 2 USD for the mini-ferry.
Rich passengers from our ship paid for the catamaran tour, from Marigot they sail to the Pitons – picturesque volcanic conic mountains on the coast. I saw these peaks from the distance – covered by mist. You have to be lucky… Even if you have money…

This is the only port we are repeating on this cruise. It is hot day in Bridgetown and we can see more Christmas attributes then before. Near the bridge they installed Christmas nativity scene under the palm trees. On the river there are already anchored rafts with Christmas trees on them. Christmas songs are played in the shopping centres. I have the day at leisure: relaxing, making laundry, writing… Tomorrow we will dock in the another beautiful island – Saint Lucia. I am not sure if there will be free internet connection. Please keep your fingers crossed! 🙂