GRENADA

Sailing by Grenada

Maran Bay and the town



Two miles long Grand Anse beach

New development on the south side of Grenada

Grenada, independent since 1974, was in the political turmoil for years. Now it is settled and productive. For visitors it is interesting, beautiful, charming and most of all, fragrant . It is Spice Island.

We anchored in Prickley Bay and started preparations for the haul out. It is a tiring process and we take brakes: shopping, sight seeing, visiting the Capitol St.George

Busy streets of St.George

Special treat is a fruit, vegetable and spice market

New fruit, called suck-it. It has a large pit, it is sour and fun
spitting out, what you can not swallow
 

Therese the spice lady

The view of St.George from the hill

The Cathedral of Imaculate Conseption

The inside of the Cathedral

Hilton Education Center

School uniforms

Run, girls, run!

During the rainy season, the water runs down the hill in streams. Cement canals are built by the houses and the bridges from the street to every door

 

St.George's harbour

Fishing boats adding colour to the port

Captain Polde under the poinciana tree

Cannonball tree originates in northern part of South America

 

 

 

 

Prickly Bay boat yard

 

The forest of masts

Captain and first mate

 

 

I felt the wind into my face

Eyes glanced over blue lace

I knew my dream was close in sight

To live my life like bird in flight

                                               Nada

ON THE MOVE

An early start from Pitons and a strong wind assured us an afternoon landing in Admirality Bay on Bequia. It was a 55NM sail bypassing St.Vincent.
We only stayed a night and on Sunday the 2nd of June sailed to Chatham Bay on W side of the Union Island.
A few miles off shore I caught a yellowfin tuna, the first for me. It was big enough to share with sailors from South Africa, anchoring in the bay, and some went into the freezer, in case my fishing luck runs out.
Can you imagine the most peaceful and romantic place? It is Chatham Bay. The beach is white, sand extends far into the bay and that makes water appear light turquoise in the shallows and then dark turquoise where the water is deep.
Once in a while strong wind gusts run down the surrounding hills into the bay, reminding you, that you are on earth.

Chatham Bay

CARRIACOU, Monday, June 2nd
We sailed to Hilsborough first to sign 'NADA' and us into Grenada territory.

Hillsborough Port landing

An afternoon rest for the fisherman

Main street

The town's Internet Cafe

It is an interesting friendly town with some inspiring artists

Shoe repair

A short sail from the Hillsborough brought us to Tyrrel Bay. We anchored to stay a few days. But the next day in a brief fierce storm our danforth anchor dragged and we decided to get to Grenada as soon as possible.

Tyrrel bay

Tyrrel boat yard

Floating machine shop

 

Blooming cacti

ST.LUCIA

Rodney Bay anchorage

Gros Islet, a modest village in Rodney Bay

School uniforms in the colors of the school house

Gros Islet daycare kids

Gros Islet teens playing steel drums



Two of many resorts in the bay

Here we are again, in Rodney Bay. Our boat will not be stored here for the summer months, still, coming here feels like returning to one of our homes.We met old sailing friends and befriended new ones. This is a very social bay, sailors visiting each other on boats for chats and sundowners, organizing trips and lunches.
With two other couples we took a public bus to Castries, did a little shopping and had lunch.

 

Karel and Phil, Sharen and Lee, and Polde

Polde longing for a real bed



Castries farmers market 

I found new (for me) fruit on the market: wax apples. They taste somewhat like apples, but they are not as juicy. Stewed with some lime juice added are very refreshing

Wax apples

 

Wax apple tree

We parted with Mary and David Greig, our friends that are being hauled out to Rodney Bay dry marina, where 'NADA' spent six summers. We sailed to the beautiful bay between the two Pitons. There have been some changes after the hurricane two years ago, Jalousie Resort running again, but by new management and under the name Sugar Beach Resort.

Sugar Beach Resort in the late afternoon

New development, part of Sugar Beach Resort
Each building has a swimming pool

Main building

Water lilly

 

Chaconia

Heliconia

St.Lucia rain forest

Hiking through the rain forest we picket a backpack full of mangoes. On the boat I made my favorite jam

Our friend Theo