November 19, 2015

GRENADA

My plans to fly to Trinidad in the middle of October got changed to flying to Montreal instead.  My step father, who I always considered to be my father, lost his 8 year battle with cancer.  I was lucky enough to be able to be with him and talk to him for about two weeks prior to his passing.  As anyone knows, loosing a parent is not an easy thing, I don't care if it's their time or not, we are never ready for this moment.  Rest in Peace Walter Garrett, I will miss you terribly.

Tim has been on Alpenglow since the end of September doing boat projects.



New Swim Step

Moved automatic pilot so we can see it rather than it being behind us

Moved VHF so easier access

Sanded and varnished the floor

Put an anchor at the stern for easier access.

My wish was for Tim to sail solo from Trinidad to Grenada while I was in Montreal.  I had no energy left or desire to be in a boat yard or sail overnight to Grenada.  My husband rocks !  I flew to beautiful Grenada and into the arms of my hubby and onto our wonderful boat Alpenglow.  Thus season 3 begins.....

Tim and I did our very first HASH.   "The Hash House Harriers (abbreviated to HHH or H3, or referred to simply as hashing) is simply an international group of non-competitive running social clubs. An event organized by a club is known as a hash or hash run, with participants calling themselves hashers or hares and hounds".  Needless to say, we didn't expect the beer shower at the end for first comers.  It was a blast.  Approximately 100 people showed up.

SINCE IT WAS OUR VERY FIRST HASH, THEY SURPRISED US WITH A BEER WASHDOWN


CUTE LITTLE GUY ALONG THE HASH TRAIL


We made friends with a bunch of German speaking cruisers from Switzerland, Germany and Austria.  There are mostly Europeans now in Grenada.  English is not the main language.  To get my dose of French, I go to the Butcher shop in Hog bay, where Gilles from Quebec owns the shop.

While in Grenada, we went river tubing, visited the oldest Rum distillery in Grenada, went to Mt.Carmel falls and hiked Mt. Qua Qua.

NUTMEG WITH RED MACE AROUND IT

RUM DISTILLERY STILL USING THE OLD METHODS

DUMPING THE CRUSHED SUGAR CANE


MT. CARMEL WATERFALLS 

WATER CASCADE NEAR MT.CARMEL FALLS

CALABASH FRUIT USED FOR DECORATIONS ONLY OR TO MAKE BOWLS

SIGN IN A LOCAL BUS

HIKED MT. QUA QUA.  APPROXIMATELY 2,400 FEET

6 HOURS AFTER A DIFFICULT HIKE.  DO NOT HIKE TO THE CONCORD FALLS AS THE TRAIL IS DESTROYED BY A LAND SLIDE,  WE FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY.

CONSTANT SCRAMBLING

THE EASIER PART OF THE HIKE


Before leaving Grenada, we just had to stop again at Moliniere to snorkel the underwater sculptures again.

 




















HINTS FOR CRUISERS (as of Nov. 2015):
- Cruiser's Net on channel 66 Monday - Saturday at 7:30 am.
- There are several Grenada facebook group pages for loads of local information.
- HASH, every Saturday.  You can call Shademan aka Patrick for a taxi ride to the HASH.  The HASH costs about $2EC only and they have beer and food to purchase afterwards.
- Secret Harbor Bay anchorage:  If you anchor here, you can use the Secret Harbor Marina showers and laundry for a fee.  It is a 15 minute walk to Prickly Bay.  It is difficult if not impossible on some days to dinghy to Prickly Bay.
- Hog Island hosts a beach bar called Rogers.  He makes Roti and BBQ chicken on certain days.  He also has free live music which is really good ! Listen to the net for more info.
- Taxi service called Shademan goes to the market, bank, ect ect.. on certain days for a small fee.  Listen to the net for more info.
- On Mondays, Shademan (taxi) goes to Island Waterworld for free (Island Waterworld pays for the taxi service).
-      - Prickly Bay marina:  439-5265 or 439-9656
-    -  Le Phare Bleu live music Friday nights 8:30pm 444-2400
-    - True Bleu 439-6434
-    - Junction Bar & Grill at L’ance Aux Epines, Thursdays 9-11pm free Salsa dancing.
-    -  Secret Harbor marina.  Mondays:  Live music.  Wed: Jazz.  Thur: movie night with 2 for 1 pizzas.  444-4449
-    -  A Mici Miei Pizzeria  473-439-6434, closed Sundays.
-    - West Indies Beer Company 5pm Roti Wednesdays
-    - True Blue has cooking classes/demonstrations 473-439-6434

-    - Cutter Tours, highly recommended by other cruisers  407-5153