Monday, June 30, 2014

We had rain overnight and during the early part of the morning but it cleared by 1000. Temp during the day was around 28C and again steamy after the rain.

Jorge and I had boat jobs to do taking us in different directions this morning. We ordered a Wirie-AP antenna from the states as did Diana and Gilbert. Essentially it is an antenna that will allow us to pick up an internet signal from, maybe 5 miles away - a booster. They had arrived in Grenada so Jorge was off to the Post Office to pick them up. I went to the grocery store in Grand Anse.

One of the malls in Grand Anse.

The fountain and some flowers in front of the mall.

We met back at CS'ta Time around 1130. After checking the emails, Jorge said his glasses were ready for pickup. Hooray, now he will be able to see! We had a quick bite to eat and then headed off to get his glasses. We also had to change some money into EC so stopped at a bank. Unfortunately we learned that it was payday for a lot of people and the lineup was quite long - 35 minutes long but at least we got to watch some of the soccer game as there were numerous t.v.s in the bank, all tuned into the game.

Downtown St. George.

Our baguette bakery.

The grocery store just outside the marina property.

The sentry post marking the entrance to the development where Port Louis Marina is located.
 
Diana and Gilbert showed up at CS'ta Time shortly after we got back. We had let them know earlier in the day that the Wirie had arrived and they came by to pick theirs up. Jorge was interested in watching the second World Cup game of the day so he caught a ride with them to the yacht club. I stayed at the boat and puttered.

There are a few official "must experience" things to do while in Grenada. I have to add my own thing to the list. One MUST experience the local bus system. When we first arrived on the island, my 55 year old ego was given quite the boost with vans passing by while I was walking, all honking their horns and young men leaning out the windows, waving their arms and yelling. I was thinking "I still have it". Not long after that, I realized the vans were buses and the young men were working, asking any and everybody walking if they wanted to catch the bus. What a way to burst my bubble! The driver honks the horn and the "assistant" yells out the window to potential riders, collects the money and opens the door for the riders. I have seen as many as 20 people in one van, the 2 workers and 18 riders, with no air conditioning and with island music thumping so LOUD I don't know how they can hear people when they say where they want to get off. Which is another story! The guy at the very back wants off and half the people have to get out of the van to let him out, then they climb back in and off it goes again. No one bats an eyelash, nobody's feathers get ruffled, its just the way it is! Things get more interesting though when there are bags of groceries, propane tanks, etc. to deal with. Space just gets tighter but no one says boo. It works for them and its even starting to work for me! I'll save the driving and roads for another blog!

Grenada's bus system.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

The last two nights have been much cooler for sleeping thanks to the rainy season in Grenada.

After breakfast I took the bus into Grand Anse to the Spiceland Mall. The grocery store there has a much better selection of fresh meat than the one outside the marina. I am running out of chicken recipes! Unfortunately the grocery store was closed due to inventory taking. Just my luck. I took the bus back to the marina empty handed.

Jorge and I got ready to go to the yacht club (decked out in orange, Holland's colour) to watch the noon hour soccer match between Holland and Mexico. We were there to support Diana who is Dutch. There were about three other couples present also cheering for Holland. There was quite the cheering when Holland scored and eventually won the game.

Temp was around 28C again but after the rain showers with the sun coming out it felt like a steam bath for awhile. I shouldn't complain, during the soccer match in Brazil, it was reported to be 38.8C!

After the game we hitched a ride with Diana and Gilbert in their dinghy and went to Grand Anse beach. Coconut Beach Restaurant features live music and a bbq on Sunday afternoons. We have been to the beach previously and enjoyed the music but today we decided to partake in the bbq. Supper was extremely early as the bbq was over at 1600. Afterwards we had drinks with Diana and Gilbert in their cockpit aboard Serenada. Gilbert took us back to the marina around 1900 in between rain showers.

View from inside Coconut Beach Restaurant.

Live music and lady dancers.

The bar.

Every restaurant/bar has a t.v. tuned into the soccer matches.

Waiting for supper.

Kids enjoying swimming at the dinghy dock.

Ditto.

We will be leaving the life of cottagers and getting back into the cruising lifestyle on July 1st as our time will be up in the marina. Too bad as I was really enjoying the convenience of all the amenities!

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Today we had more rain than not. Temp was around 28C during the day and of course with all the rain it was mostly overcast.

We went to the yacht club for noon to watch the first game of the do or die knock-out round of the World Cup. It was an exhausting game! (And we were only watching.)  Overtime and then penalty shots with Brazil eventually beating Chile. Bummer!!

Diana, Gilbert, Jorge and I had made arrangements to do a hash (no not the drug). Every Saturday a different trail is picked for walkers, runners, etc. to do starting around 1600 and lasting for about an hour. However because it rained most of the day, we decided the trail would probably be wet and muddy. We opted instead to remain at the yacht club, stay dry, drink beer and watch soccer. Diana and Gilbert left early in the second game and I left at half time. Jorge, the ever diehard soccer fan, stayed and watched to the end of the second game.

Following the games, we ate supper in the cockpit of CS'ta Time, enjoying the gentle breeze, the rain having stopped.

No pics today.

Friday, June 27, 2014

We awoke to rain this morning at 0730 and decided to sleep in for another half hour. The morning was overcast and the coolest morning we have had in a long time.

Diana and Gilbert dinghied in from the anchorage to our marina at 1130. We had arranged to have lunch and then go to the Seven Sisters waterfalls for the afternoon. Our empanada bakery has "build your own burger" on Fridays so off we went and enjoyed a sumptious burger.

We took one bus to the St. George's downtown bus terminal then changed buses to the Seven Sisters waterfalls, about a half hour bus ride away on a very narrow and twisty road (the same road that took us to the turtle watching beach last week). We paid our entrance fee, got our walking sticks and set off. We just got down the first hill when we were met by Kenny, a local who lived in the area. He gave us a description of all the vegetation in the area, ie nutmeg, pineapple, banana trees, etc. He then escorted us to the waterfalls, a real ladies man, paying particular attention to Diana (I think he took a real shine to her).

Jorge at the entrance to the Seven Sisters waterfalls (bamboo bench).

Jorge and Gilbert on the first hill to the Seven Sisters (this part paved).

Baby pineapple.

Nutmeg.

Jorge beside a banana tree.
 
Once at the waterfalls we tipped him for his services and then enjoyed the cool and refreshing waters of the falls for a few hours. Concerned with the weather (if it rained it was going to cause us concern getting out of the rain forest) and the fact that it was getting late, we left paradis and started making our way back.

The Seven Sisters waterfalls.




Diana making her way up the road coming from the waterfalls.

Don't mess with me!
(Jorge with a machette he found beside a building).

The rain forest at the top of the Seven Sisters waterfalls.

Jorge, Kenny, Kim.

Gilbert, Kenny, Diana.

 Kenny met us as we emerged from the rain forest and emphasized how important it was to wash our shoes and feet before we got on the bus going back to St. George. He and another man had buckets ready and proceeded to wash the mud off our shoes and legs, paying too much attention to the ladies' legs! We again tipped him and walked to the road to catch a bus.

Once back in St. George, we visited the fish market where Diana and Gilbert bought some fresh tuna. I opted to buy chicken for dinner. We also visited and bought some fresh produce from vendors outside the fish market.

We were spared the rain until we started walking back to the marina. We waited out the shower under the awning of a hardware store.

Diana and Gilbert returned to their boat after having a glass of wine with us aboard CS'ta Time then Jorge and I had supper and a quiet evening. We only had a high of 27.8C inside the boat today!

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Diana and Gilbert arrived at CS'ta Time at 0900 as planned. We were heading to the Botanical Gardens this morning. We figured we would walk the gardens before it got too hot. Unfortunately at 0900 it was already too late - it was hot! We walked slowly to the gardens, not wanting to work up too much of a sweat. The gardens were, unfortunately, disappointing. There were a number of trees but really no flowers. It should have been called a "park" instead of "gardens". However it was still enjoyable.

Diana and Kim planning the day.

Two mighty tall palm trees.

Painted garbage can.

Jorge in the breadfruit tree.

Botanical garden tree.

Monument honouring the soldiers of WWI and II.

Base of tree.

Same tree higher up.

Gazebo.

Another tree.

Land crab home?
 
We were back to the boat shortly before 1100. Diana and Gilbert left to do their own thing for the rest of the day. Jorge and I sat in the cockpit to cool off before he left for the yacht club to watch the next soccer match. I felt I didn't need to see this game so read a guide book of the Windward Islands, had lunch then made my way to the yacht club to catch the last few minutes of the game.
 
We walked back to the boat and basically did as little as possible the rest of the day. We enjoyed some munchies in the cockpit, had supper in the cockpit and stayed there afterwards sipping wine. We had a gentle breeze and that was the coolest spot on the boat! Temp was 31C, humid, very little cloud covering and no rain.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

VAMOS ARGENTINA (go Argentina).

Okay so we have World Cup fever, what can I say. Argentina won all three of their games in the first round of the World Cup and take on Switzerland next week in the round of 16, starting the do or die rounds. We even have the Pope on our side, being from Argentina and a soccer fan as well.

We basically had a quiet morning. I did dishes, read a bit, and got laundry ready. Jorge was all consumed with the upcoming World Cup game. We grabbed a few empanadas on the way to the yacht club. I threw the laundry in the washing machines and we settled in to watch the game. Diana and Gilbert as well as some other regular cruisers and soccer fans were in attendance as well.

Grenada Yacht Club after Argentina's win.

Our empanada bakery.

Ditto, from a different angle.

After the game, Jorge and I headed back to the marina where we took a dip in the pool and relaxed, doing some reading. The evening was warm and quiet. In general a very relaxing day. Life is good!

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Well we haven't done much the last two days, just watched some soccer matches. We have made a soccer fan out of Diana, especially now that the Netherlands are advancing to the next stage. I haven't watched all the games as I have been enjoying the pool on the marina property.

Port Louis Marina's pool.

No, I'm not sun tanning just drying off from a swim.

Jorge was also successful in getting to the optical shop and placing an order for his glasses.

Some local vegetation.

Ditto, too bad the colours aren't as vibrant as in real life.

Grenada Yacht Club and dinghy dock across the bay from Port Louis Marina.

The best view of the bay and the city - from the jail!
 
Temp has been a constant 30/31C during the day with very short periods of rain and then sunshine. Night temps are still around 25C.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Well, we are in a marina with internet right at the boat and I still can't find time to blog! How did I do it while travelling the ICW?

Temp has been around 30/31C during the day and at night a cool 25/26C. Overcast with sunny periods and some rain.

June 19, 2014

Grenada celebrates all the Christian holidays and today was Corpus Christi day meaning all stores and businesses were closed. However just like back home, some stores in tourist areas were open. Gilbert dropped Diana off at CS'ta Time in the morning then he went and did his own thing. Jorge stayed on the boat and did his own thing and Diana and I walked into Grand Anse (a good 2 mile walk). It was a hot morning and we knew we had quite a hoof so we took our time. On the way we passed some fellows selling land crabs. We didn't buy any but took pictures.

Land crabs for sale.

Cemetary along the road to Grand Anse.
 
We walked to the Spiceland Mall where it was reported on the cruisers' net that the grocery store was open and it was! I had been to this store previously and had to show off my find to Diana, probably the best grocery store in Grenada. We were like two little girls in a candy store! I had to replenish my stock of groceries and proceeded to do exactly that.

Having bags full of groceries we caught the local bus back to Port Louis Marina. Gilbert picked Diana up, Jorge and I had lunch and then we walked to the yacht club to watch the afternoon World Cup game. Gilbert and Diana met us there. Following the game the four of us headed back to CS'ta Time for dinner - pork tenderloin kabobs on the bbq. Yummy.

Bedtime was around 2230.

June 20, 2014

My boat job this morning was dishes after last night's meal. Its times like this that I miss my dishwasher! I packed a lunch and off we went to the yacht club for the noonhour World cup game. After the game we took the bus into St. George proper to an optical store. Jorge needed new glasses having had a boating accident with his last pair. While in Canada he got a new prescription so we decided to fill it here as we didn't think we would have time while in Canada. We got to the store before 1700 but it was closed - island time! We walked back to the boat, had supper and turned in around 2130.

Plaque - first town in Grenada was Port Louis, June 20th, 1650.
 
June 21, 2014

Today was Argentina's second game of the World Cup. Needless to say this was a match we had to watch. One of the bakeries nearby sells meat pasties very similar to empanadas (from Argentina). We picked up a couple to have for lunch to make it an Argentine day. Argentina won their second game (as well as their first), the empanadas were delicious and all was good!

A Danish couple from the anchorage came to our boat after the game and downloaded a couple of sites so we can watch the World Cup games live on our computer should we decide not to go to the yacht club for the less than important games. They left shortly after 1700. We had a quick bite to eat as Diana and Gilbert were coming by at 1800. Diana had booked a sea turtle tour for the four of us.

We boarded a mini van (17 people in total in the van!) and off we went to the other side of the island, about a 1-1/2 hour drive, about 40 miles of winding road. It was dark when we arrived on the beach. We were treated to the release of hatchlings when we first got there. Apparently they had hatched that morning, the researchers gathered them up to release them at night when the weather was cooler and less predators around. They were adorable! And it was so neat to see them try to find their way to the ocean. We waited for what seemed like an hour before the guide indicated that we could walk through the bush to the beach further along where a mom was getting ready to lay her eggs. We watched (with red lights) while she dug a hole with her back flippers. Jorge was able to hold one of her flippers while she laid her eggs and the researcher caught and counted them. While that was going on, the group was able to "pet" the leatherback turtle as she was in a trace while laying her eggs. Once the eggs were laid, she covered the hole with sand, moved away from the nest and camouflaged the area. Once satisfied, she headed back to the ocean. We were able to see all stages. It was truly amazing! The leatherback turtle lays eggs about 8 times a season (April to the end of July) and up to 150 eggs at a time. Some turtles can reach 9' and 2000 lbs! This one was about 4' and maybe 300 lbs. Unfortunately only about 1 in 1000 turtles make it to maturity. As we were heading back to the van, we came across 3 other turtles in different stages of nesting.

Of course, what is a sea turtle tour in Grenada's wet season without rain? The heavens opened up as we were going back to the van, soaking us! We arrived back at the boat at 0100, wet and tired but thrilled with what we had witnessed.

Kim beside a model of the leatherback turtle.

The hatchlings.

Mother leatherback digging a hole for her eggs.

Ditto.

Researcher's hand catching and counting the eggs.

Making her way back to the ocean.
 
June 22, 2014

The morning was lazy after a late night - way past boaters' midnight which is 2100. We were in touch with Diana and Gilbert and agreed to meet at the dinghy dock on Grand Anse beach. We were walking, they were taking their dinghy in from the anchorage. Jorge and I had been there before on a Sunday when they had a steel band playing. Today there was latin music playing not the steel band but good nonetheless. We just vegged out and enjoyed the shade and some cold beers.

Enjoying the afternoon.

We headed back to the yacht club to watch the 1800 World Cup game while Diana and Gilbert went back to their boat.

It was a late dinner and to bed at 2230.