You’ve likely noticed my penchant for nautical whimsey. Here in Terre-de-Haut, one of a group of islands known as Iles des Saintes, I was on nautical/whimsical overload.
Unlike many of the places we’ve visited in the sleepy off-season, Terre-de- Haut was hopping with activity. Saturday morning, the ferries pulled up from nearby Guadeloupe, delivering day trippers – a mix of nearby locals and French tourists. The streets were filled with people – buzzing around on teetering rental scooters, eating ice cream and street snacks, cheering for their teams in the 2016 Euro football match, and piling into beach-bound vehicles with large umbrellas.
We love wandering, snacking, and people watching, so this was exactly our scene. It was also the perfect jumping off point for our overnight sail, bypassing Dominica, to Martinique. I wish we could have spent more time here, perhaps another year?
The main drag in Terre de Haute. On Saturdays, the streets are filled with a mix of locals and tourists. The street is lined with cute seaside cafes and restaurants.
We’ve never met a homemade ice cream shop we didn’t like and Cesibon was no exception.
The owner, who served us, told us to visit her other shop next time we’re in Naples, Florida. The ice cream was actually gelato – but perhaps that doesn’t translate?
I can vouch for the nutella and stracciatella (Italian chocolate chip) flavors, Brian liked the dark chocolate and salted caramel.
Euro 2016 football fever is on in the islands. All around town, people were jammed together to cheer for their teams in unlikely places – like inside this dive shop, in the office were we used the computer to clear out of customs, and at the grocery store.
town goat
harborside guest cottages
On Sunday morning, after church let out, the locals make a beeline for the bakery. There are people holding baguettes under their arms everywhere you look. I wanted so badly to photograph the perfectly coiffed ladies heading home after church in their tidy suits and Italian heels, bread tucked under their arms. I managed to catch this fellow instead.
Brian with baguette, buying breakfast from ladies selling a variety of savory pastries and fried do-dads in the street.
mille feuille (puff pastry), filled with lambi (chopped conch)
Where are we now?
Wow, a feast for the eyes and the belly. My kinda place! Looks like a blast.
You’d love it here! Hope all is well in Savannah.