After what felt like an eternity, we finally completed the passage from Antigua to Guadeloupe, thrilled to be back on a French island known for its sinfully delicious pastries, breads, baguettes, and croissants. However, my doctor had recommended a month-long abstinence from gluten, so we had to resist the tempting treats. For the boys, it was a tough couple of days without that pesky protein. Thankfully, after a month, I reintroduced gluten into my diet without any side effects.

Our visit to Gwada (Guadeloupe) began at an anchorage near Deshaies, where we reunited with fellow sailors from SV Sunsplash and SV Passat. Our kid group grew larger each day. The boys were overjoyed, spending their time on the beach boogie boarding, getting covered in sand, and running like there was no tomorrow. It was a beautiful place, especially after coming from Antigua. However, our first order of business was to check in with the immigration office. Little did we know that our nearly two years of sailing had taught us one thing—everything on the island takes time, especially in French territories. Why, you ask? Well, because the French have a plethora of national holidays, and if they aren't currently celebrating one, there's a good chance they're organizing a protest. The French love to both celebrate and protest—a lot. As a result, we found ourselves "stuck" along the stunning golden sand beach, enjoying the views while awaiting our turn to navigate through the bureaucratic maze.

Armed with official stamps in our passports and approved boat papers, we set sail south towards Pigeon Island. Dropping anchor right in front of Plage du Petit Malendure, we embarked on a mission with Annick, who had rented a tiny Kia Picanto. Our goal? To procure fabrics for cockpit and helm enclosures, foam for cushions, and a seemingly never-ending list of other essentials.

Though the Kia Picanto appeared small, it surprised us by exceeding our expectations. With some strategic maneuvering and a little bit of Tetris magic, we managed to squeeze in all of our purchases. It was like a real-life puzzle, fitting fabric rolls, foam sheets, and various odds and ends into every available nook and cranny of the car. We felt a sense of accomplishment as we closed the trunk, tightly packed with our treasures, ready to transform our boat's cockpit into a cozy and stylish haven.

The next few days were an absolute whirlwind of aquatic adventures and socializing mishaps. We dove headfirst into the crystal-clear waters, snorkeling, diving, and even attempting some daring night dives. Ian managed to spear 2 beautiful lion fish. He was pumped with adrenaline and shaking with excitement. And after all that underwater excitement, what better way to relax by soaking in the warm Bouillante hot springs?

But the fun didn't stop there. Each evening, we found ourselves at sundowners, hopping from boat to boat like nomads in search of good company and laughter. We met so many new cruisers, from the Julie and her husband on the humongous catamaran Orion (seriously, that thing could house a small village), to Jillian and Jeremy from Mug Up, who had their hands full with two boys and a girl. And who could forget Chelsea and Tom on SV Raise, always up for a good time and a laugh? Oh, and let's not forget Jason and Kim from Mimzy, Vicky and Steve from Passat, Chad and Nicole from SV Ohana, and Ivette and her husband Martin from... well, I don't quite remember the name of their boat, but their company was unforgettable!

It was a glorious chaos of snorkeling mishaps, hot spring wrestling matches, and laughter-filled sundowners with a crew of friends both od and new. Our time in Gwada was a delightful blend of adventure and camaraderie

In our quest for adrenaline-fueled entertainment, the boys and I decided to visit a zip line park. We strapped on our gear and bravely climbed ropes stretched between towering trees, zooming through the air like fearless adventurers. It was a thrilling experience, filled with laughter and screams (mostly from me).

Of course, the next day greeted us with a symphony of sore muscles and creaky joints. It was like we had transformed into a group of grumpy old sailors, groaning and limping around the boat. Who knew that hanging from ropes and hurtling through the sky could be so exhausting?

In an attempt to soothe our aching bodies, we made our way to the local zoo. The lemurs stole the show, capturing our hearts with their mischievous antics and adorable faces. To our delight, we had the opportunity to enter their enclosure, and the lemurs, ever curious, approached us with their playful jumps and inquisitive stares. Ian, in particular, was completely mesmerized by their presence, as if he had discovered his spirit animal.

But the real highlight of our zoo visit came in the form of an African gray parrot. Little did Ian know that this feathered mischief-maker had a knack for imitating human voices. As soon as Ian approached the parrot, it unleashed a flurry of mimicry, repeating his words and even mocking his laughter. It was a moment of hilarity, with Ian engaging in a hilarious back-and-forth banter with a bird that seemed to have a wicked sense of humor.

From sore muscles to lemurs and a parrot's playful mockery, our adventures in Guadeloupe were filled with laughter, surprises, and a few extra bruises. But hey, isn't that what makes life's escapades all the more memorable?

After days full of snorkeling we set sail from Guadeloupe, bound for the enchanting Les Saintes. Our ship was loaded with an abundance of fresh produce and not one, not two, but three bags of frozen ballyhoo—captain's secret weapon to lure those big fish, like tuna or mahi, to our dinner table. Talk about high-stakes fishing! Our captain, ever the cunning strategist, deemed it necessary to free up some space on board.m which called for a feast of epic proportions! We were forced to devour Monika's famous pierogi, and wash it all down with frosty berry smoothies. Who would have thought we'd be sailing the seas on a pierogi-and-smoothie diet? But hey, desperate times call for delicious measures!

Finally, after braving the open waters, we reached Les Saintes. As soon as we snagged the last mooring ball available, it was time to kick off the ultimate cruiser social. Glasses clinked, laughter echoed, and the drinks flowed like a river (or should I say, an ocean?). Wine and rum became our loyal companions.

Ah, the kids! They were having the time of their lives, running amok, and mastering the art of scooter navigation. It was like a mini carnival at sea! But the highlight of the day? Our very own Alex, the youngest daredevil on board, caught the attention of an experienced girl also named Alex. She took him under her wing and taught him the ways of the skateboard. Who knew a chance encounter would unleash a budding skater within our little adventurer?

To Ian and Alex's surprise we abandoned the schoolwork and decide to go on a hike one last time. Our captain, crafty as ever, conveniently discovered a flurry of boat projects to occupy his time. Meanwhile, the boys and I, joined by our adventurous comrades from Mimzy, Mug Up, and Raise, embarked on an epic expedition—a grueling hike up the formidable Le Chameau, the highest point in Les Saintes.

Oh, the struggle was real! Sweating buckets, huffing and puffing, we clambered up the treacherous terrain, determined to conquer the summit. But fear not, for our bravery was rewarded in the most scrumptious way possible: a spectacular view of Les Saintes and neighboring islands. Once we descended victorious from the mighty Le Chameau, our taste buds rejoiced as we indulged in our favorite guilty pleasures: heavenly ice cream and mouthwatering burgers.

But the adventure didn't end there. Oh no! We decided to inject some excitement into our day by blowing up the trampoline in our backyard. Kids swarmed in from every corner of the anchorage like bees to honey. They bounced and giggled, their laughter echoing through the salty air. Meanwhile, the tired parents, finally able to rest their weary legs, floated on the water, beer in hand, basking in well-deserved relaxation.

On our final day in Les Saintes, we decided to spice things up with an electric golf cart exploring every nook and cranny of this tiny island. Armed with our trusty four-wheeled companion, we embarked on a quest for knowledge and sandy beaches.

Our first stop was the renowned Fort Napoleon des Santes, where history awaited us with open arms. Little did we know, however, that the educational visit would turn into a comical exercise in deciphering French. The expositions were impeccably maintained and detailed, but alas, they seemed to have forgotten about us non-French speaking tourists. Everything was en français, leaving us scratching our heads and practicing our best "Oui, oui!" nods of understanding.

Undeterred by linguistic barriers, we hopped back into our zippy buggy and revved our way through the island. With a range of 25 miles, we were confident we could conquer Les Saintes several times over. Round and round we went, exploring each hidden corner, hoping that the trusty buggy will make it up the hill.

Our dreams of frolicking in the sun and sand were dashed by an unexpected foe—sargassum! Those mischievous seaweed invaders had taken over the very beaches we longed to visit, turning them into stinky, tangled messes. Oh, the irony! Our trusty golf cart had brought us to the doorsteps of paradise, only to be met with an unwelcome stench and a seaweed-infested shoreline.

Nevertheless, we couldn't let a little sargassum dampen our spirits. We cruised along the coast, making the most out of our unconventional beach experience. Who needs pristine shores when you have a quirky adventure to laugh about?