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.