Letter from the Indies - St Martin

7:56 PM Sat 3 Jan 2009 GMT

'Christmas Day lunch on the dock NZ style.JPG' Ian & Andrea Treleaven

Christmas, Caribbean and Cruising and what do we get? Christmas winds of 35 knots, more waves up to 4 metres and some rain for three days so we are unable to leave the lagoon on St Martin.

We will have to just make the most of it. Australian boat 'Joules' anchors beside us and yes we have some strangers to celebrate with - Peter and Nanni from Melbourne cruising in an Island Packet 40 footer.

Turtle Pier Bar is the location for sailing cruisers to get together on Christmas Eve, where we meet New

Bevin and Maureen Koeppel.JPG - Ian & Andrea Treleaven

Zealanders Lynette and Rene Rasing who left Tauranga three and a half years ago to cruise the world. True Kiwi style, they issue an invite to come for Christmas Day lunch on the dock.

Christmas Eve turkey dinner and prawn cocktail at 'Jimbos' with Peter and Nannie and then BBQ, Pavlova and trifle for lunch the next day; we are having a very delicious unplanned Christmas. We will all sail our own directions and may never meet again but we stay in touch.

At least being stuck in the lagoon has had its advantages

Mullet Bay.JPG - Ian & Andrea Treleaven

for Ian. Parts and repair facilities in Simpson Lagoon have been excellent and along with the duty free shopping in Philipsburg, and we now have a region free DVD player.

Being able to buy 'original copy, mon!', the latest movies have kept us very entertained when it was too wet to go ashore. At the beginning of every copied DVD is the warning about its being illegal to copy. Just another Caribbean way!

Back in 1995 a sailor called Bevin Koppel from New York bought the maxi 'Congere' to Sydney for the 50th

One of many,beaches that is.JPG - Ian & Andrea Treleaven

Sydney/Hobart Race. As he was passing through St Martin on a cruise ship we had time to catch up with Maureen and him to talk over old times. Ian crewed on the 51ft 'Congere' in 1972, racing in the Newport Bermuda race, from there continuing on to Bayona Spain in the Trans Atlantic Race. It is amazing how old sailing friends always keep in contact with each other.

More Australians anchor near us; Cameron Hunter from Melbourne has just crossed the Atlantic in his Amel 54 'Reborn V'. He read my book two years ago, sold his business, bought a yacht and with his wife and three young children sailed the Med and are now sailing the Caribbean.

A day at the beach.JPG - Ian & Andrea Treleaven

It's great to see a young family having such a wonderful adventure together for a few years.

Finally the sunshine returns and the trade winds have settled. St Martin has some very beautiful beaches and we can't wait to get out of the lagoon. Hiring a car, we survey this small island which is only 7 miles x 7 miles. As we leisurely walk the colourful umbrellas and the white sands of Orient Beach, a male figure, in sun hat only, is proudly showing his . umm.. manhood, what I can only describe as, not being of a normal size !!!!!! The Rolf Harris song 'Jake the fake' instantly comes to mind.

Beach Bar Celebrations.JPG - Ian & Andrea Treleaven

Feeling slightly inferior and fearing sun burnt scrotums, tits and bare bits, AND the signs saying 'No Clothes, No Cameras', we quickly make an exit. Any girl requiring the 'ouch' photo, apply here.

Long flowing dresses and dinghies don't always go together. New Years Eve and Anse Marcel is the perfect setting ashore; luxury resort, space lighting, music and fireworks. All dolled up, I missed my footing to the dock and fell into the harbour.

If I had had a drink or two I might have seen the funny side of it but I was going out, not coming home. After a change of clothes, the rest of the night was all glamour, with

Ile Pinel New Years Day.JPG - Ian & Andrea Treleaven

fireworks lighting up our yacht. We arrived home safely. Welcome 2009.

We spend New Years Day in calm blue waters and sail round the top of the island to Ile Pinel. Sand peninsular, azure seas, beautiful people, lobster for lunch; what could be more Caribbean? Nancy on Sail-World Cruisingmentions million dollar views; well this could be one of many for us this year.

Meeting up with American cruisers and getting information about where we are headed is exciting. After many changes we almost have a plan together on our direction for the rest of the season as all of friends keep