The end of hurricane season is quickly approaching but we have been having so much fun going and doing that I have been remiss to share the never-ending merriment with you! So let’s get started!
We continued to hang out with our fellow cruiser at Port Louis Marina. Unless you get out and meet people when living on a boat it can be quite isolating. Some cruisers enjoy going off the beaten path where there are no other people. However, for us, that is fine for a bit, but we prefer meeting other cruisers and hearing their success stories as well as their trials and tribulations. We learn from one another both the Good, the Bad and the Glory!
Cruisers making their own fun
This year things have been quite busy at Port Louis Marina. If one participates in all the weekly activities, times flies by in a flash.
Monday
On Monday afternoons, there is a beach barbecue where several of the men get the fire started. Then participants bring their meat to grill and a side to share. It is a festive, relaxing weekly event.
Tuesday
There have been several Taco Tuesdays hosted by different vessels in the marina. Everyone brings a side and drinks of choice. The food is amazing and the company even better! Check out a couple of recipes that make good sides for this type of event at Mexican Corn Bake and Hot Mexican Cheese Squares.
At one such event, Adrian, the local fish provider, brought fresh lobster for everyone to try.
Later, we bought some lobster tails from him to grill. It was some of the best lobster I’ve ever eaten.
Wednesday
Wednesday night brings on the dinghy drift where everyone jumps in their inflatables with their favorite beverages, and finger foods to share. It is wonderful to drift out in the bay and watch the sunset while visiting with each other. When Cuz John and Lara came to visit, they participated in their inaugural dinghy drift. As we left the dock in the dinghy, we had to gently slide under the boat from stern to bow. Lara captured these pictures.
Thursday
Each Thursday morning the ladies around Port Louis, and sometimes from other parts of the island, meet at the Knife and Fork for morning coffee, or a mimosa, if so inclined. Sometimes there are just a few women, but other times there are 15 or more. This wonderful group of ladies have become a great support system for one another. They share activities they have enjoyed, and plan tours together to see other parts of the island. It is so nice to walk down the dock and feel a part of the cruising community.
Each Friday, the Knife and Fork hosts a happy hour with drink specials and appetizers. At this event, sailors relax, visit, and tell stories of the week. They share their best snorkeling spots, where to eat, and what are the best tours to take. It is a great way to wind down the busy week and get ready for the weekend.
To learn more about the weekly “Camp Grenada” check out this You Tube by Karen Cox!
Other local events that added diversity to our stay.
We attended two concerts which couldn’t have been more different. The first one was a Reggae concert at Le Phar Bleu Marina. It was attended by cruisers and locals alike. The music was very upbeat, and the moon coming through the trees added to the evening ambiance.
The next concert was held at Sabrina’s Treehouse, a venue up in the bush of Mt. Agnes in St. Davids Parrish. Sabrina Francis gave an intimate concert for about 40 people in an outdoor setting. This concert was interesting as each person wore headsets because the band members and Sabrina were mic’ed. Then the music was mixed in a studio and broadcast to all the participants providing a perfect sound. It was quite the treat!
The fun did not stop with concerts. We found other ways to entertain ourselves. With new friends, Tony and Julie who were boat sitting for SV Black River, we attended a couple of other venues.
We went to Prickly Bay to preview the statues that will be lowered this November into the Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park off the west coast of Grenada. Many of the statues were made by an artist in the UK and shipped to the island. While this artist outdid himself with detail and paint, most it would be lost within the first year of saltwater immersion. A local artist also made some statues without adding paint. The statues are more than a tourist attraction, they provide surfaces for plants, coral, and sea life to thrive upon and around.
We also visited a villa at 473 Orchids that was hosting an orchid sale. The house was beautiful, and the views were spectacular. They had raised a variety of orchids and allowed visitors to walk through their gardens. This event was a special glimpse into the Expat life on the island.
Then of course we had to try out the new chocolate house, Tri-Island Chocolate. Yummmm, it was delicious!
ARE YOU TIRED YET?
Well the fun is not over!
Birthday Celebration
I was kidnapped the morning of my birthday by Julie who treated me to a chocolate crescent at the Knife and Fork. Then the café got in on the festivities by singing happy birthday and bringing me a piece of delicious coconut cake and chocolate candy!
Next, we celebrated my birthday twice at Dexter’s Restaurant where each time we were served a five-course meal. The birthday girl was given three desserts instead of one. The first visit was with fellow cruisers, and then we returned with Cuz John and Lara. Dexter’s was always a special treat up on the hill, sitting on the veranda watching the sunset behind the water. Oh, and did I say, the food was delectable!
Visitors
Mid-October, Cuz John and his friend Lara came for a visit. We had hoped to leave dock right away and take them sailing in the Grenadines, but Hurricane Tammy twirling in the east had other ideas. Thus, we were dock bound for a while. Nevertheless, we had a wonderful time sharing with them some of our favorite haunts. They enjoyed the dinghy drift and Dexter’s, but we had more in store for them.
Of course, we had to take the beautiful drive to Concord Falls to cool off as the weather was still brutally hot! Up in the mountains it was cooler, and the water was soooo refreshing. It was fun watching the jumper as he dived from the top of the falls.
We also went by Annandale Falls and Grand Etain Lake. The Mona monkeys were not putting on a show this time, but we did see a baby monkey outside the falls. He was so adorable.
Then we organized a special treat for our guests. Nirvana, at Nirvana Pasta Paradise cooked us a fresh pasta dinner and serve it to us on the veranda of her house. Oh man, the food was so wonderful, the breeze was delightful, and we enjoyed hearing her tales of migrating from Europe to Grenada. When in Grenada, take the time to order from Nirvana. You will not be disappointed.
Off the Dock!
Tammy spun away from the islands taking the squalls and most of the wind with her. So we decided it was time to get off the dock. Ooops, of course, we had to have engine problems first!
Dang it the starter battery was dead, and it was a Sunday!!! So we had to wait until Monday to buy a new battery.
NOW! We had left the dock and were headed for Carriacou for a few days! It was sunny and the wind was from the north, but light. So we were motoring, but we didn’t care! We were at sea for a few days after 4 months at dock. Delightful! Check out our weekend escape at: Carriacou: Weekend Getaway Pictorial.
Hurricane Season coming to a close
This is the time of year that yachties begin heading to the four winds. We are forced to say goodbye to the many of the friends we have made. Some we may see again up and down the island chain, while others will be lost to us forever. Nevertheless, each person has enriched our lives with their friendship. One set of friends decided it was time sell their boat and go back to work. It was bittersweet for them when they got a good offer. We decided the perfect send off was to spend the day snorkeling at Magazine Beach. Bye Simon and Renae, maybe we will catch up with you in Houston one day!
Soon it will be our turn to head north through the island chain to make new discoveries and more cruiser friends. We would love to continue to take you on our journey. So be sure to sign up for email blog notifications if you haven’t already. More to come….
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