Monday and in Antigua. Just looking around the town today and we find a lot of jewellry shops on the dockside. Tax free i guess but we don't want a half price necklace for $3000 dollers! Had a chat to some local people who, after you've told them you definately don't want an island tour are pleasant and wish you a good day. When you get away from the dockside in the capital St Johns, it's quite run down (the pavement needs a fix and all the buildings need paint). Sailed away at 5 and left two chaps behind. They just didn't make it on board by the deadline. Found out they drop off a crew member to find them and offer to arrange a flight/boat ride to catch the ship up or a flight to the airport and wait for the ship to return, either way it's at the passengers expence. Tuesday in St Maarten. It's run by the dutch as you can see from the spelling. The other side of the island is run by the French. Seems to work ok. Met up with Brian and Gwen, whose ship was parked right next to ours. Took an island tour over to the french side and the town of Marigot. We see lots of yatchs in the bays and lots of cars on the road. The beaches are the most beautiful, fine white sand and a very blue sea. This evening we have a drink at the captain's expence, very nice rum punch. He's from Yorkshire and retires in 2 years time. He's going on leave when we reach Jamaica. I hope the new Captain is as generous. We eat dinner with a nice chap from Hull (yes really!). He's done quite a bit of travelling and we swap stories. This morning, Wednesday we have to get up early for a USA immigration inspection. They changed the schedule, we will call at St Thomas instead of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Lots of queueing. Everyone is complaining they booked this cruise so as not to go through this arduous procedure. I feel a few letters will be written. Best wishes, M&M