We arrived at Saba on Sunday 14th. What a wonderful experience! The view of the island from the sea is ruggedly breathtaking. Rising vertically from the ocean to an elevation of 3,084 ft., Saba is raw volcanic rock at its base soaring to lush verdant tropical greenery. The central mountain, Mt Scenery, is perpetualy covered with inspiring cloud formations.
We crossed from St Eustatius in 18-24 knots of wind with 5-6 foot following seas. Anchoring overnight in Wells Bay we had strong winds but relatively calm seas overnight with Tropicbirds chattering overhead.
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Today we toured Saba with Wayne, a native Sabian of 8 generations. This is a relatively unknown place due to its inaccessibility. It is, hoowever, very special. The main town is The Bottom which should be named Bottoms Up since that is the only way to get there. Dutch owned Saba is orderly, tidy and picturesque. All the buildings are white with red roofs and green trim. The road around the island was surveyed by the Dutch who concluded that it was impossible to build so a local man studied how to build it and did so. The road traverses mountains and valleys and is in very good shape. There is a small airport which was also cleared by the locals.
The culmination of the day for Barry and David climbed to the old Customs House up 279 steps in Ladder Bay. This was the original, and only, way into the upper island prior to the 1950s. Everything was carried up these steps, including at one point a bishop and a grand piano!
All in all, this is a place to which I will happily return.
David Fynn, Barry Keyes, Nancy Meuret, Mary Anne Keyes
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| The old customs house 1/2 way to the town above |
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| Steps up the Ladder to Customs |
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| 279 steps carved into the rock to reach the old customs house |
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| History of the old customs house |
Diamond Rock, SABA
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| Sunset - Saba |
Today we toured Saba with Wayne, a native Sabian of 8 generations. This is a relatively unknown place due to its inaccessibility. It is, hoowever, very special. The main town is The Bottom which should be named Bottoms Up since that is the only way to get there. Dutch owned Saba is orderly, tidy and picturesque. All the buildings are white with red roofs and green trim. The road around the island was surveyed by the Dutch who concluded that it was impossible to build so a local man studied how to build it and did so. The road traverses mountains and valleys and is in very good shape. There is a small airport which was also cleared by the locals. 
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