Martinique looks colorful in the morning light as we sail in. (Here is the Itinerary.)

Our docking space is right at the base of the town.

 
It was Sunday.  We enjoyed hearing the cathedral bells and, from within,  the hymns and sermon in French.  While the church with all its brown outlines was interesting by itself, its reflection from the building across the plaza created an artistic image.

    
It was raining--Dean wore his poncho while I opted to wear my bathing suit under my clothes.  We liked these colorful steps and benches in the church plaza.

 
Buildings are colorful but in various states of repair. We spotted this small chapel up on a hill. (More on this later.)

 
Black slaves were freed here in Martinique in 1789.

 
A World War I memorial and Fort Saint Louis.

Near the fort, is the statue of Josephine, Napoleon's true love.  The statue was beheaded by some local wags many years ago.

 
The bronze relief on the pedestal depicts more headless people in the king's court.

 
A non-supervised beach and a the Street of Liberty.

 
The intricately decorated library building is quite beautiful.  We enjoyed all the plantings around it as well--the traveler palm with its fan of fronds was quite something.

Above the doorways and on the signs of this government building: Liberté  Égalité  Fraternité

 
More colorful façades in town. Who knew that the police needed a hotel?

 
Tree-ripened bananas really ARE better!  This one cost four cents.

 
We were puzzled by the birds of paradise flowers under the windshield wiper of this car, but we did spot the probable source of the blooms nearby.