A lil' more big Grenada and a LOT More lil' Grenada - Carriacou!

So we stopped for a week or so and checked out the scenery and a few anchorages around the big island of Grenada.

Trinidad and the Return to Grace

We arrived in Trinidad early November. 

Will GRACE still be in good shape after sitting in 90 degree plus temperatures in water-engorged air that often explodes into torrential tropical downpours? Well we did have an air conditioner running, all surfaces had been vinegar-washed, all foods removed and we had hired someone to check on her periodically … But I was still visualizing the worst case scenario… something like this on the inside of our boat...

We opened up the companion way and held our breaths…

"On the hard" in Trinidad

Granada and Trinidad are the two go-to islands for cruisers to store their boats during hurricane season. Trinidad has a reputation for being dangerous but upon further research Jeff found that it was the locals shooting each other, not the cruisers...Whew, never mind that stray bullet! And the theft incidents had greatly decreased because the Trinidadians "took care of the problem" ...Uhhhh OKEE DOKEE?!

Grenada, "The Island of Spice"

Grenada is an island country with an estimated population of 110,000. Besides Grenada there are six small islands that are dependencies of Grenada. Of the six, only Carriacou (see previous blog post) and Petite Martinique are inhabited.

We anchored in Prickly Bay at St George's, the capital of Grenada.

This cruising vessel has been around the block a time or two!

Grenada is also known as "The Island of Spice" and for good reason.

Diving in Carriacou

We checked into Grenada customs at Carriacou, a small dependency island just north of Grenada. The following day we secured a two-tank dive with "Lumbadive" and were so impressed with both the dive sites and the operation we arranged several more dives. Jeff posted this comment in TripAdvisor: 

Onward to the Grenadines

Before we start our journey I wanted to mention that when we were dinghying around the harbor in St Maarten, Jeff spotted diesel can covers on a sailboat that was moored a couple of boats behind us. We closed in on the boat to check them out and soon a friendly woman came up on deck to greet us and chat about the covers.  When we returned to our boat I said mostly to myself "was that boat named RECETA?" Where had I heard that name before?

Dominica-Part 3 of 3 -Boiling Lake or "To Hell and Back"

We sailed down to the southwest side of the island to the Port of Roseau.

Jeff had read that "Boiling Lake" is a definite "must see" and Roseau was the place to schedule a guided hike. Our "boy" Alexis had warned me that a lot

of travelers never complete the hike... too difficult... hmmmm ...  Intrigued, I read further and saw that the hike was considered "advanced" and  I was not even a beginning hiker...admittedly daunted I still decided to try it.

Dominica - Part 2 of 3 - Island Tour or "More Heaven"

A couple of days after the Indian River trip Alexis booked us an island tour with Charles, who took us by van, along with five other cruisers, up along the northwest coast and clockwise around the island. Again I was blown away...

Dominica-Part 1 of 3 - Indian River or "Heaven"

Dominica is drop dead gorgeous. What else can I say?  Many scenes in The "Pirates of the Carribean" movies 2 and 3 were filmed here and I can see why... Dominica is still so raw, brutal and lush in its beauty it evokes an earlier time.

Antigua

We arrived in Falmouth Harbor, Antigua just in time for the annual forty-seventh Antigua Classic Yacht and Sailing week regattas.  Yachts flying the flags of twenty-three different nations were drawn to the the Carribean's most prestigous regatta. Hey why wouldn't sailors come from all over the world to enjoy fantastic weather, extremely competitive sailing and great entertainment?

St Martin / St Maarten

 St Martin/St Maarten is the home of boats, beaches, bakery and boobs (not necessarily in that order):)

Anguilla

Virgin Islands

GOODBYE AND HELLO

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a well kept secret. It is unimaginably lush and vibrant, both above and below the water.  It boasts the only tropical rainforest in the U.S which we, of course, drove up into the mountains to see.

Dominican Republic - Part 2

Our motorcycle adventure from Puerto Plata to Luperon cont.

As you will see in the video clip, the small motorcycle is a major mode of transportation in the towns of DR. However, there is a catch. Driving a motorcycle in the DR is not for the faint of heart. We were told by our rental agent that most tourists return the vehicle within fifteen minutes as the drivers are rather aggressive. Needless to say, Jeff was right at home!

Ocean World Dominican Republic

We arrived Sunday, January 26 at Ocean World Marina near Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.  As we approached the marina we had a reef on the starboard side that was to be avoided at all costs and on the port side a large breakwater to favor.  After rounding the breakwater and motoring on into the entrance, the

Turks and Caicos Adventures

Doesn’t this view of “Grace” spot lit by a glorious sunset look idyllic, spiritual even? Well the reality is…

THE BAHAMAS

We left Ft Lauderdale at 12 am for an overnight passage to Freeport in the Grand Bahamas. We chose Freeport because you just can’t wait for the perfect time to leave to get to your destination of choice. If we did, we probably would still be sitting in Ft Lauderdale!

Florida Reflections

We left Florida at 1 am Monday morning one week ago today and made it to Freeport in the Grand Bahamas the following afternoon. We had an itsy bitsy weather window in which to cross the ALMIGHTY Gulf Stream so we took full advantage of it.  I am sitting here at the dock in Nassau now, reflecting on our past six weeks or so in Florida.