Bring it on

Doesn't it look like we're just about to ride a hurricane? No? Well we're ready either way. Looks like tropical storm Maria could be throwing in some hurricane winds to us tomorrow with storm beginning already tonight so we have not much else to do than prepare our dear Caos as much as we can. We've just tied up to a mooring, threw out an anchor, secured all possible flying stuff off the deck and that should be fine to begin with. This is supposed to be the strongest tropical storm in our Caribbean stay so far. Perhaps even a hurricane if we are really damn unlucky. But like they say; there's always a first time for everything.

Wanna get out on the sea

To stay on land, especially on a happening island like SXM, is wonderful but we can't wait for the storm to pass so we can get out sailing again. Much to discover also outside of this lagoon..

Randoms

Listening to Beck while awaiting the storm.

Mueve la cintura

Lots of salsa, bachata & other ritmos latinos going on here on this island.. here's a good one to get you in the mood.

Mullet Bay

last pic is from Maho Beach

Alex got a couple of smaller waves from the swell of hurricane Katia on Saturday afternoon on Mullet bay and there was that other bay which was even better with some nice barrels (no pics from there unfortunately due to the late hour in which we finally found the place). Apparently there was even better surf on the NE on Sunday which we unfortunately missed out on. Shall check the place out next time there's a good swell coming.

Back in business

Bikini from Babajaan.

Hello!

We took a weekend off from boat work, writing, the blog and everything else and instead we've been devouring the beauty of this island. I mean seriously, I don't think I could've ever imagined here to be so beautiful. The beaches, the ambiance, the water, aah, the water! It is way better than most other places we've seen thus far on the islands below in the Lesser Antilles. And all those amazing rocks by the shore, loving the change of view. This week has been all about surfing (yes me too), celebrating Alex's birthday, swimming, drinking Jagermeister with our crazy yacht broker and some other friends we've made, watching beautiful sun setting in the sea and salsa dancing, to top it all up in good style. Yeah we could definitely imagine to live here in the future, but you know how it is, we fall in love with every second place we sail to so no need to worry about us settling down in the nearest future. Happy to death though that this place is above all our expectations since we will spend quite some time here this fall. More about everything a bit later. Hope you all had a good weekend.

Now and forever more

Waves rolling in on Maho Beach. Chilling out with a cocktail while the sun is setting, feeling thankfulness for life, dreaming of the future, listening to this.

Beach break

My beautiful silk kaftan is from this brand.

We're having a really good time here, in between all work.. Alex forced me to move my ass from the computer today to spend the afternoon at the beach instead and I must say it was a good move. Loving the vibe of this island. Should have less work to deal with and more time for island exploration after the weekend hopefully. 

Purple sky

Caos lonely at the quay, one quiet night in Gustavia, St Barts. St Martin (SXM) in the background.

We're home

So we are back in St Martin again. With our new baby, Duende. We're slowly getting used to this new island which will be our new home for the following four weeks at least. Looking forward to spend an extended time around here. It's always kind of exciting to get to know a new place/new country for real, and not just by passing by for a day or two. Particularly appealing is it here in the Caribbean, where a number of countries with many different cultures, people, lives and societies are located so close to one another, just a few hours of sail in between them. There's definitely an island for everyone and for every taste here in these crystal clear waters of the West Indies.

Sint Maarten/Saint Martin

Back in St Martin. The island of contradictions.

Beautiful days

Do you remember for not so long ago we were talking about the fact that we miss our beloved Mediterranean a little? The ambiance, the people, the colors and artistic patterns and the stylish riviera atmosphere will for ever be deep in our hearts no matter where in the world we decide to steer our boat. And no matter what adventures we have laid in front of us, the Mediterranean parts of the world will always be home to us. So when we got to hear about Porto Cupecoy, a Mediterranean village built in the Caribbean, we couldn't resist but visiting it.

Porto Cupecoy is just that, a stylish European village, built in the middle of a tropical island, just a few minutes walk from the beachside, the warm turquoise ocean is practically just around the corner. The village offers everything a weekend visitor, a residence or a vacation traveler could wish for. 184 luxurious condos in size of one to four bedrooms are scattered around the area, a full-service marina is right in the heart of the village, there is a gym and a tennis quart, a European spa, the plaza with its many restaurants, bistros, bars and boutiques are right where you need them and the gourmet food market with the perfect selection of fresh produce, wine and imported goods is about 2 minutes walk from your own kitchen. All nestled in an absolutely stunning cove of the Simpson Bay Lagoon, perfectly accessible by boat (leave your boat outside in the anchorage if you prefer) or by plane, with the runway just a few minutes walk from the Porto Cupecoy village.

We were truly astonished by the perfection in details and the feeling they managed to create with the oh so familiar Mediterranean flair and our three days and two nights swept away way too fast. The condo we stayed in, and the others we had the chance to visit, were all designed to perfection with either a very traditional style or with brilliant European modernist features. 

There are possibilities to either buy your own real estate within the village or rent a condo for months or per night. I must say that the prices for a weekend or a vacation stay is very competitive when compared with hotels in the same category. Nothing beats this way of vacationing where everything is close on hand and instead of staying in a tight hotel room, you have a whole home to your disposal. Comfortable, accessible and extraordinary chic within reach of everything you could be wishing for. And the best of two worlds are combined in one village.

Thank you Porto Cupecoy for having us and making us for a moment feeling like we were back to out beloved home across the ocean. /T&A

Lounging in St Martin

Feels like we're back in Europe for a while. Very riviera style over here in this little village. We're loving every single second of it. Laters, dear readers, I need to put on some more sunscreen. It is seriously hot over here! /T

(Bikini is from Lauren Moffatt and necklace is vintage, in case you'd wonder)

Arrived in St Martin

Chilling down with a 2008 Saint Emilion in an astonishing weekend apartment in Porto Cupecoy, our home for the next few days.

We had a very long and tiring passage from to Barbuda here for the past 24 hours so not much else than this to report for tonight. Bubble bath, cheese and wine and some chill music in the speakers is just what's needed. Doesn't get much better than this after an exhausting day and night at sea..