We are quickly getting settled in Grenada, it’s very nice here! We are still pondering our plans for the next few months. I don’t think we can just sit here; it looks like we may head for points south…all written in Jello™ of course.
I only have a few random pictures for this update. Rather than pictures I have been taking lots of videos, and in the near future I will try and patch them together. For now:
This is Mandalay, anchored in Bequia, once part of the Windjammer cruise fleet. The company went bankrupt but this ship was taken over by another company and still sails the Caribbean:
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About the Mandalay
Mandalay is truly an historic ship. This 236-foot barkentine was built in 1923 for financier E.F. Hutton and christened Hussar. In the 1930’s she was sold to shipping magnate George Vettlesen who re-christened her Vema. Later she was put into service by Columbia University sailing over a million miles worldwide. Evidence gathered on her voyages confirmed the theory of the continental drift.For many years, Windjammer Barefoot Cruises sailed Mandalay in the Caribbean, where she established an enviable reputation for delivering joy to her guests . She had a very loyal following, with “Jammers” repeating year after year. Then in September of 2007, that world ended. Windjammer Barefoot Cruises went bankrupt, its remaining assets were auctioned off and all her loyal “Jammers” mourned.
But the Windjammer dream never died, because it was more than a company. It was a culture. And it was a fragile culture – one that had a rare balance of fun, adventure, informality and one that would-be imitators never understood. On January 18th, 2012 Windjammer Sailing Adventures purchased Mandalay, with a commitment to maintain the culture of “Windjammer”. The Rum Swizzles, crab races, story time, Bloody Mary’s, peanut butter pates, PPP parties, sleeping on deck and the playing of Amazing Grace are back, as are many of the former crew. Mandalay has been refurbished to recall her former glory. Always a favorite of Windjammer Barefoot sailors, Mandalay is welcomed back to the fleet of tall ships.
Sailing from Bequia to Carriacou:
…at over six knots (top left corner of the chart plotter screen)!
Again, I will put up a video to fill in these gaps…someday.
After checking in at Tyrrel Bay Carriacou, which is a territory of Grenada, we headed down to Prickly Bay and anchored in 30 feet of water. We popped a bottle of Prosecco to celebrate:
Then found the dinghy dock:
…at the marina:
View of most of Prickly Bay:
There is a movie night once a week and they play movies that are just off the big screen. Kids movie first and something for the adults later:
We have been exploring the south end of the island. There is a really nice boatyard here, we may haul out and paint the bottom:
Prickly Bay is nice and very convenient but also very rolly. On a catamaran, the roll may not be as noticeable but on a monohull it can get very uncomfortable. We have moved to Mt Hartman Bay just east of Prickly, it’s less crowded and much more comfortable:
The sun can get quite intense so we have put up our sun shades:
Some people we just met were nice enough to share their recent catch!
And there are plenty of activities at the marina here in Mt Hartman, like dominoes:
I think the view here is much nicer:
That’s it for now. We are trying to stay active and not get bored. There are lots of things to do here and it’s relatively inexpensive but it all adds up. Among the mundane activities, we are going to the Hash Runs http://www.grenadahash.com/, playing dominoes, and maybe branch out to volley ball. We will probably head to Trinidad late next month and see where the wind and tide takes us from there.