Select to expand quoteN1GEL said..
Here's a video I made while over there. The first few runs were a bit under cooked and port tack is upwind so quite a bit slower than starboard. Then the wind really kicked in well over 30 knots toward the end of the video and the water in the middle gets quite rough. The runs are between Anse Vata to Ilot Canard. Perfect for open water slalom, bump'n'jump, and even some small wave sailing off the corner of Ilot Canard.
Even though you were overboarded for the conditions the Patrick still looks well behaved..
Thanks for sharing Nige. Dig that video man! I've been meaning to look it up to check it out again, cheers
Had a quick look at airbnb at work last night. Looks like there are a couple of apartment, houses etc in the area. That would definitely require a van though so I'll have to do the numbers. Just need some time to sit down and look at it all.
SUPER KEEN 
Select to expand quoteseanhogan said..
recent video on New Cal
I'm deadly serious - you're killing us Sean with these vids. I propose you are permanently banned from SB 
...and what's with no windsurfing but kiting at the start
Select to expand quoteN1GEL said..F2 said..
We are coming over next year, is the shopping good Sean, got to kept my wife happy to.<img src=' 
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Unless your missus is happy to sun bake or hike around the city, coastline and mountains, there's not much else to do for her. There's no department stores like we have in Australia and there's only a very small handful of boutique retail stores in Anse Vata and the prices are wild. You'll need a lot of spending money if you're going to buy more than just dinner. For example, hamburger, chips and softdrink will cost you around $40. 2 pizzas and a couple of sprites leaves no change from $100. That's not even "fine dining", so expect to pay $80 - $100 pp for a meal in a resturant. As for car hire, you'll need about $170 per day for a Suzuki swift, a van will set you back well in excess of $250 per day. Windsurf hire from Lorrent is about $30 per hour or more (depending on conversion rate). I would suggest budgeting $200 per day per person (not including windsurf hire), and with that you will still need to visit the bakery each morning to make rolls for breakfast and lunch.
Don't let that turn you off though... the windsurfing is awesome!!
is this true Sean, 
dreams of paradise smashed by the food bill!
Should we be timing a trip over in conjunction with a crash diet, or do we need to be sending hampers of good Aussie grown produce over there to help out?!
Think I may start exporting food to NC at those rates.
Select to expand quoteJonesySail said..N1GEL said..F2 said..
We are coming over next year, is the shopping good Sean, got to kept my wife happy to.<img src=' ' class='forumPostTextImage' />
Unless your missus is happy to sun bake or hike around the city, coastline and mountains, there's not much else to do for her. There's no department stores like we have in Australia and there's only a very small handful of boutique retail stores in Anse Vata and the prices are wild. You'll need a lot of spending money if you're going to buy more than just dinner. For example, hamburger, chips and softdrink will cost you around $40. 2 pizzas and a couple of sprites leaves no change from $100. That's not even "fine dining", so expect to pay $80 - $100 pp for a meal in a resturant. As for car hire, you'll need about $170 per day for a Suzuki swift, a van will set you back well in excess of $250 per day. Windsurf hire from Lorrent is about $30 per hour or more (depending on conversion rate). I would suggest budgeting $200 per day per person (not including windsurf hire), and with that you will still need to visit the bakery each morning to make rolls for breakfast and lunch.
Don't let that turn you off though... the windsurfing is awesome!!
is this true Sean, dreams of paradise smashed by the food bill!
Should we be timing a trip over in conjunction with a crash diet, or do we need to be sending hampers of good Aussie grown produce over there to help out?!
Think I may start exporting food to NC at those rates.
I don't think they have income tax in NC, so the GST is huge to make up for it. Tahiti is the same. Groceries are about the same price as Australia though, so you can have cereal for breakfast and make sandwiches for lunch. The bakery food is AMAZING!! We just ate baguettes, brie and ham through the day and, man, lots of awesome chocolate fondants. But yeah, eating out is wildly expensive.
Select to expand quoteN1GEL said..
I don't think they have income tax in NC, so the GST is huge to make up for it. Tahiti is the same.
I wish we didn't ... 
we actually have an income tax, and gst is "only" 10% on prepared/transformed goods
It's the import taxes that hit us hard, 30% on product and freight from europe, 50 % from elsewhere.
(that's why we only have the european collections in the billabong/rip curl/quiksilver stores)
Like Nigel said, if you plan an extended stay, you can't go dining out every night ! Cook your meals and prepare your lunch boxes for the beach
And if you go out, tell every restaurant manager I sent you ! 
plenty of discounts 
Sean
Crossoints for breaky and baguette for lunch , think I could struggle through ok, I bet there is a 'secret local' spot to get some fresh fish to BBQ for dinner!
Yeah my inner fat man is totally cool with living out of the bakery for a week or two. Are they open for dinner?
The food cost is a killer but you can find cheaper options.
stock up your fridge from the local supermarket
You can also try the bbq chicken trucks. They set up in parks near the beach. Had to queue a bit (they're popular with the locals) but tasty Whole chickens.
the restaurants off the main beach strip are a cheaper.
the bakery is definitely a good option
50% on imports! you must be smuggling in the windsurf gear to get is cheap!
Haven't you guys seen that airport customs show? BYO food! You just rock up at the airport with a suitcase full of fermented cabbage, seaweed and dried monkey paws. If you get bailed up by airport customs you just make out you don't speak the language, or cry.
Met Yuppy at the harbor today, went for a sail (after we sorted out my dogs going wild in the neighbourhood... )
Awesome afternoon and great to meet another fellow seabreezer !!
special conditions with a gusty westerly, but still good fun !
Thanks for your hospitality Sean. Was the highlight of the cruise.
The locals talked down this westerly day but I had a fantastic sail. Planning the whole time.
I sailed over to that little island to grab a coke. Had no cash, so the bartender gave one to me for free!
The new cal locals have it seriously dialed in. They sail nearly every day. Then hang around with their mates swapping tales after the session. I'm so used to running back to the van and getting home ASAP to keep it sweat with the family. Maybe also because the water and the air is warm. As a posed to Melbourne where we are freezing after ten minutes.
Im heading back in November with the family.
Look forward to meeting up Sean.
I've been here for four days... Having a fantastic time but there's just one problem.... Pas be vent...
Hi Fabulon, just returned from my trip in Oz, I'll be at the beach tomorrow afternoon, expecting Southerly 18 knts
see you there !! (drive an old white I- load with black bonnet, but just ask any windsurfer for me)
Select to expand quoteseanhogan said..
I drive an old white I- load with black bonnet, but just ask any windsurfer for me)
And hula girls on the dashboard
Select to expand quoteYuppy said..
Thanks for your hospitality Sean. Was the highlight of the cruise.
The locals talked down this westerly day but I had a fantastic sail. Planning the whole time.
I sailed over to that little island to grab a coke. Had no cash, so the bartender gave one to me for free!
The new cal locals have it seriously dialed in. They sail nearly every day. Then hang around with their mates swapping tales after the session. I'm so used to running back to the van and getting home ASAP to keep it sweat with the family. Maybe also because the water and the air is warm. As a posed to Melbourne where we are freezing after ten minutes.
Im heading back in November with the family.
Look forward to meeting up Sean.
That Island is called Ilot Canard. It's really worth spending the day out there as the diving is great. I did however bump into this girl while I was there.
My reaction was similar to when I bumped into my naked Mother-in-law during my last holiday (please refer to my previous post...).
G'day Sean, you are probably sick of talking about the place, but can you give us an idea of what the conditions are like in early May and can you still readily hire equipment that time of year?
Thanks in advance.....Paddo
@Fabulon : you didn't tell me about that one ! Peaceful creatures, too much fish for them to be interested in us mortals. Last week a 3 m hammerhead was spotted just there, couldn't be bothered about human food !
I'm more worried about hitting one of those bloody turtles with my fin !!
And as you could expect the wind returned just as you were on your way to the airport !!
@Triplex : no worries, I'm trying to be sponsored by the local council ( ) Early may is still good and not in winter yet !! (our winter means long sleeve rashie to get in the water) The rentals guys are there all year long, they're just lazy buggers that don't open if it's raining or if the wind is in the wrong direction.... ( @Yuppy)
