Pirate in the Caribbean

Haul Out and the Hotel California  - You Cannot Make This S&%* Up! After a few days at Le Phare Bleu Marina in the southern end of Grenada, we headed to Clarke's Court Marina for haul out.  It is a very professional operation with the largest travel lift I have ever seen.   The lift made our boat look tiny.  Hauling or launching is always a concerning time for a boat owner as many things can go wrong. Note the anxious owner in one of the pictures below.  Fortunately we had nothing to worry about.  It was a low wind day, making for a very smooth haul-out.  There were about 10 guys helping us, including 2 divers who go into the water to ensure that the slings are placed in a way that they are not damaging any of the through hull fittings or the Sail Drive (propeller).   Once out of the water, Adventure I was placed on jack stands with chains running between them, and then attached at the bow and stern to 4 very large cement blocks. The blocks are to stop the boat from moving in c

Grenada - Our Final Destination Three months after my arrival in the British Virgin Islands, we arrived in Carriacou Grenada for our last customs and immigration check-in by sea.  With all the check-ins and check-outs, it is a bit of a relief to do the last one. However the sailing blogs are full of stories about the notoriously difficult Custom's officer here so we proceeded cautiously.     We visited 9 countries, each with their own procedures and requirements for importing Pirate.  We had requested an import permit from the government of Grenada three weeks before we arrived  without any response to the original request and follow-ups.  As a result, when we got there, Pirate did not have the proper clearance. The notorious Custom's officer was not amused. However Roger turned on the charm offering her a coffee and then buying her a Perrier from the bar while she took her lunch break. She got on the phone for us and in no time announced that the the quarantine officer would b

  Tobago Cays and Union Island - More Beach Bars - Go Figure Imagine warm crystal blue water, pristine white sandy beaches, palm trees and turtles, and you can imagine the Tobago Cays.  The Tobago Cays (different than Trinidad and Tobago) are a small set of uninhabited islands surrounded by Horseshoe Reef, with nothing else between you and the open ocean.  This is a marine sanctuary so, whether you are mooring or anchored, the charge is $60 EC per night, plus $15 per person on board.  If you stay three nights, you get a fourth free, however most people come in and out for one night as they are typically charter boats on a schedule. Roger and Pirate on the other hand wanted to stay there forever.  When you arrive, one of the 'boat boys' is assigned your boat in order to assist you on to a mooring ball.  We were assigned Mr. Confidence.  If there is anything else you need, then he will help organize it.  A lobster dinner at the beach BBQ was most certainly in our future.  We had

  Sailing the Grenadines in search of Rolling Stones - Mustique and Mayreau  Mustique is a private island that has been developed as a playground for the rich and famous. Shania Twain and Bryan Adams both had places on the island.   The last  time we were there, about 15 years ago, t he local cab driver thought we would know them as we were all Canadians. About half the houses are available for rent when the owners are not in residence.  Mick Jagger is often on the island as well, and during our last visit, our friend Dave had spotted him dropping off his daughter at Basil's Bar, an infamous and popular establishment which is perched over the water on stilts.  The bar is still there, but this visit, Mick was nowhere in sight - however - he was apparently in Bequia for a visit.  I guess poor Mick won't get to meet Pirate after all. While in Mustique, Pirate spent most days on the bow looking out for turtles. They surface regularly and fascinate her, even more than the island goa