GUADELOUPE
Travel with Bret, Claudia, and Wolfgang.
Spring, 2026
Claudia, Wolfgang and Bret
Guadeloupe. In the Lesser Antilles.
We stayed on Basse Terre, the western wing of the butterfly for the first few days. Home base was Bouillante. Then, we relocated to Grand Terre, the eastern wing. Our place was near Morne-à-l'Eau
Our first Gite in Bouillante
Guadeloupe is french. So, we were in the EU.
On Basse Terre, there were torrential tropical downpours most afternoons.
Claudia, braving the waves for the perfect shot!
Got it!
Pointe-à-Pitre
Cafe on the Petite Canal. Beside the long walk from ship to sale.
Queen Daney was a lovely host! Washing our dishes.
Standing beside the Petite Canal. This canal was built in the 18th century. It was designed for the arrival of slave ships. About 45,000 enslaved men, women and children were brought here. After disembarking, they walked to the church you see on the hill. There, in the church yard, they were sold into slavery.
Art is by Quick One. CLICK PHOTO for link to his work.
These are a recreation of the stairs that the enslaved climbed. Now, with tribal names of those that were brought here for sale.
The stairs up to the church yard, looking back to where the ship would have docked. Climbing these after crossing the ocean, ill, weak. And about to become the property of French colonists, making money from their labor.
There is an abondoned slave prison in Petite Canal. I took photos of leaves that had fallen from trees. As though they were symbols of the lives lost in this place.
Cimetière
Frigate birds.
Snorkeling in the Jacques Cousteau reserve. Pigeon Island
Underwater photography by Wolfgang Ahlmer (one or two photos may be mine). CLICK PHOTO for link to his worldwide observations.
This moment of shared contact left me feeling that we both understand the cage.
Planning their next trip? Or, whats for dinner?
Ibis. Bathing.
Brief break in a downpour.
Flying home.
Caught in the act!