Check out my article in the Caribbean Compass (April 2013 page 24). It's available online:
http://www.caribbeancompass.com/
Our
last real news was a week ago Tuesday, when we said we were headed from Frigate
Rock to Petite Martinique and Petite St. Vincent with Silk Pajamas for our
second time this season. They had
returned from Bequia on the 22nd of March, where they had their boat inspected
after a collision in the Tobago Keys. Upon their return, we had spent 3 days in
Chatham Bay, West Union Island, where we hiked a bit and enjoyed a couple of
the restaurants. We've actually decided
that the aggressive competition between the Chatham Bay restaurants, which is
strangely not combined with competitive prices, has turned us off the area, and
we may be hesitant to return.
The
two boats came back to Frigate Island, and the crews walked again into Clifton
for provisions and lunch, before heading together back over to Petite St.
Vincent. There, while anchored over a
beautiful bar of sand in the lee of the island, we dinghied over to Petite
Martinique. We were joined by Mike and June of the American sloop "I Dunno".
It
was our intention to recreate the great hike around the island with the crowd,
as well as the great lunch Dawn and I had enjoyed at Melody's the week before. The hike was equally as good, and the new
hikers were impressed; however, Melody's was serving only boney rotis. The taste and size were acceptable, but the
plates were just not the winners we got earlier for only $15 EC. The icy cold $5 EC ($1.85 Canadian) Carib
beer were a hit, however.
Thursday,
the 18th of March, we sailed under jib back to Frigate, walked into Clifton to
clear out of SVG, and had another lunch at the Anchorage Yacht Club.
(One
thing for sure, we are giving these islands great business for lunches, this
year)
We
sailed under jib again next morning, following Silk Pajamas for the two-hour
sail over to Hillsborough, Carriacou, Grenada Grenadines; where we attempted to
check in. We got into the Immigration
office, but were told to come back on Tuesday to do Customs, as those people
were taking the Easter holidays off.
Interestingly, we had heard on a morning radio net that Customs had been
closed in Tobago during the week because their air conditioner was not
operating; meaning those checking in and out could just wait. These people want everything done by the
letter, unless, of course, THEY don't want to.
We've
been spending our time since then in Tyrell Bay, Carriacou, exploring and hiking, and doing
lots of reading. Yesterday was a big
day, as the four of us got off the boat at 0930H, and hiked up to and over the
little mountain called "Chapeau Carre". It was the most challenging hike of the
season, with steepness and safe footing being the real problem. Coming down the other side was much easier,
and quite enjoyable. We got back to town
to enjoy pizza and beers before resting our sorry legs and feet on and around
our boats.
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| Doyle's map of the mountain we climbed. Up (954 feet) from the west and down along the east side. |
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| A view to the south towards Grenada |
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| Tyrell Bay in Carriaou an island in the Grenada Grenadines |
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| Kristin and Terry taking a breather from the up, up, up and UP!! |
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| Chapeau Carre from the bottom. |
Today
may be a day of dominoes, with Dawn and I, Kristin and Terry going into the Lambi Queen for some
lambi curried stew. Lambi is another
name for conch.
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| Terry and Kristin enjoying happy hour in our dinghys in the shelter of the mangroves in Tyrell Bay |
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| There are 3 derelict boats in the mangroves, each one well inspected on our excursion! |
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| The mangroves as seen from our hike up the mountain. |
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| Laurie and I enjoying a cool drink with Terry and Kristin |
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| Creative artwork on this swiss boat anchored behind us. The 2 sides were painted completely differently! |
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| Laurie helping two ladies carry a heavy sack from the ferry along the dock. We had just tied up our dinghy there on our way to hike. |
