Are we nearly there yet?: 24 March Statia

St Eustatius becomes the 70^th new country we've visited since we began our sailing adventure. Statia, as the island is more familiarly known, is a Dutch territory and when England and France and Spain were at war, and during the US war of Independence, it was a neutral, duty free country. It's one of the range of volcanic islands starting with Saba to the north and extending through Statia, to St Kitts & Nevis and ending at Montserrat which are known collectively as the Islands that touch the clouds. St Barts lies a short distance to the east. There's a lot of history, antiquities and allegedly, good diving in clear water.

First is check is. Quick and easy and very friendly. So friendly that the Dutch policeman who cleared our immigration offers us a lift in his police car from the wharf up to the town. The town sits atop a bluff set behind the coast road. A tough climb on a hot day. It many ways it reminds me of St Helena; an ex volcanco, minimal modern development and everyone knows who is a visitor. We get cheery waves from everyone we meet.

canons aimed at the anchorage

Oranjested dates from the 17^th century and is pretty; colourful stone buildings, a large fort on the highest point, an elaborate series of terraces to catch rainwater, many churches, the ruins of a synagogue and a library with excellent WiFi. Walking back to our dinghy at the wharf we called into the two dive shops to see if we could arrange a couple of dives for tomorrow. One shop wasn't diving, the other had two boats going out. Guess which one we booked? Tomorrow we shall dive a wreck and a reef with Scubaqua.