Those participants in the Atlantic Odyssey 2014 still present in Le Marin met on Sunday evening for a final Caribbean cocktail party organized especially for them, and danced cheerfully to the rhythm of bewitching drums from Martinique.
This evening was the concluding event of a magnificent program laid on for the sailors since their arrival in Martinique, thanks to the teams of the Le Marin Tourist Office, the marina of Port du Marin, and the Martinique Tourist Board.
Atlantic Odyssey sailors enjoy Martinique dances
Martinique drums made everyone dance
Martinique drums
Beginning on December 6th with the few first boats to have crossed the line, this program continued with several cocktail evenings, each accompanied by a show ranging from traditional songs and folk dances to bands of various music styles from Martinique and the Caribbean, allowing the international community of Atlantic Odyssey sailors to discover the multiple facets of Martinique and Caribbean cultural life.
Traditional Bèlè dancers
One evening even saw our sailors attempting to learn to dance the salsa, and some were more talented than others!
Salsa initiation for young and old cruisers
The official farewell event, organized on December 10th at the Zanzibar restaurant, took place in the presence of several official representatives of Martinique and the city of Le Marin, among which Mr. Sub-prefect Jean-Jacques Narayaninsamy, Mr. Christian Dachir, Mr. Raphael Belrose, Mr. Raymond Janvier, deputy mayors of the city of Le Marin, Mr. Patrice Bensalem and Mr. Philippe Jalta, respectively the managing director and the business development manager of the Martinique Tourist Board, and of course Jimmy Cornell and his team.
Every crew received a present on behalf of Le Marin Tourist Office, and Jimmy Cornell presented to each child a certificate naming them a young Argonaut, to congratulate them on the great achievement of having crossed the Atlantic Ocean.
Mr. Sub-prefect Jean-Jacques NARAYANINSAMY hands a gift to the crews of MAHE 3 and THE LARRIKIN
Jimmy Cornell hands their diplomas to the children – Mina from catamaran ALYTES
The participants were able to try local products, accras, sausages and other brochettes, without forgetting the excellent rum of Martinique, while dancing to the sound of the Caribbean music till late in the night.
Rum tasting at the farewell party
The happy group of the young Atlantic Odyssey sailors
Children will keep wonderful memories of the Atlantic Odyssey
All these events largely contributed to the success of Atlantic Odyssey, and made Martinique an unforgettable destination for our participants!
– List of arrivals
– More photos: Martinique arrivals (Facebook photo album, no need to login)
– Martinique Programme of activities for the Atlantic Odyssey sailors
