The Colors of Grenada

I was looking back on all the pictures I have taken and I noticed all the colors!  Granted, a lot of them were from Carnival (called Spicemas by the locals)!  So here goes, enjoy the colors of Grenada.

Nature always provides the best colors!

Boat along the Carenage in downtown St. George

The many colors of Mexican Train.  I enjoy a game once or twice a week. 

Flags (and people) from around the world are represented.

I believe the costumes these women are wearing represented a tropical drink!

Dancing on the street!

This was the family parade.

. Young and old, all dressed up!

Each group had a queen...

or King.

And lots of well decorated dancers.

All were having a great time.

Loud music and lots of energy, especially from the kids!

Lots of smiles... and glitter!

But life in Grenada is more than just partying on the street.  We have to shop too!

The Wednesday morning farmers market always has a beautiful bounty of vegetables, eggs, spices and more.  Glenda is my favorite vendor.

And there is always time for a little fun.  We are getting ready to take a hike through the rainforest to...

Seven Sisters Waterfall.  The reward was diving into to this clear lake and letting the current and falls hit you.  Natures own jacuzzi!

Some friends talked us into participating in a "Hash" with the Grenadian Hash House Harriers.  HHH is an international group of non-competitive running social clubs.  It's a great way to see parts of the island as hashes are held in different locations every Saturday.  

Unfortunately for us, first timers (or virgins) are doused in beer after completing their first hash.
Not all of it was wasted, however!

Still Limin' in Grenada

One of the best things about limim' is watching the boats come and go.
Not all are as magnificent as this 478' mega-yacht, supposedly owned by
the founder of Oracle.

Not sure what the story is on this J-Class boat but she was a beauty.  Look at the size of
that mast. 

This place combines the best of both worlds, Cafe Mocha Spokes.  A coffee shop
and bike hangout close to St. George University.  A great place to chill
out with a latte.  

And of course, there is dominoes.  The version they play here is
Grenadian Train Dominoes.  This particular day was a fund
raiser hosted by Cruisers Against Cancer.  With over 50 players participating
and a well stocked raffle, over $2,000 was raised.   

One of the most amazing things about cruising is the
people you meet along the way.  When I was in the states
I responded to a Facebook post from a lady in Grenada who asked any stateside
cruisers to bring something back for her from Home Depot.  I did and we
arranged to meet for the exchange.  Turns out that Connie lived
across the dock from us 35 years ago, when we were first married and living on our 23'
Alberg!  What a memory.! So great catching up with her and comparing our paths along
the way.

While at our Whisper Cove anchorage I recognized a familiar
boat, Voyager.  Turns out our friends, Deb and John, were aboard.
I originally met them at Curtis Marina, in Tavernier, when I first
moved to the Keys.  They had taken off to go cruising about a year later!
We enjoyed reconnecting and renewing our friendship.

Opti also enjoys the limin' life. Duck is still her toy of choice
and she still enjoys chasing her around the boat.  Even though
she is almost 13, she still enjoys running around the boat
and her daily swims.  And to think we considered not taking
her with us!

Pretzel rods.  Who knew they are next to impossible
to find in the Caribbean?  Who knew they were both Opti and
Jon's favorite treat?  Who knew I would be smuggling bags back
from the US every time I went to visit?  At least Jon is willing to share
with Opti.  

Time for a walk.   Opti has a little stubborn streak in her
so Jon has to get in the dinghy and convince her it is
worth her while to jump blindly into the inflatable.  

But once she is there she loves to hang over the bow.  I guess
it's the cruiser dog version of hanging your head out of the
car window!

I guess I should be excited when Jon brings me a conch.  Cleaning one is not near as easy as the locals make it look.
I don't complain (too much) because the results are always so tasty!

As part of the Grenada Chocolate Festival we enjoyed yoga
and chocolate meditation at the local resort.  The free samples
of chocolate and cocoa tea made the yoga worthwhile!

Not to mention the view!

Of course, the view from the boat is pretty amazing
as well!

What's not to love about Grenada?  They even have their own
craft beer at  West Indies Brewery.

Once there, we had to try a taste of everything...
Well, not quite!  Guess we will have to return
for the rest of the brews!

Home and Back Again

Wow!  I've been negligent.   Sorry for the lack of updates but time flies when you are in Grenada, enjoying island life and having fun!  Hope I can get you all up to speed.

Jon and I dancing in the New Year at Whisper Cove Marina.  YES... Jon was dancing!!!

After Christmas and the New Year we decided to give Toi et Moi a present or two.  We have been without shade since leaving our slip back at Curtis Marine in May, 2013. Jon rented a workshop and, with the help of a local, built a hardtop Bimini for our cockpit.  The hard part came when it was time to move the top from the workshop to the boat.  I ended up towing the top AND Jon to Toi et Moi at anchor, where we hoisted the top using muscles and a halyard. 

Performing routine dinghy maintenance and enjoying the beautiful water on Hog Island. 

Workboats practicing for Grenada Race Week.

Toi et Moi getting ready for some more work.  We hauled out at Spice Island Marina for a much needed bottom job and installation of supports for the hardtop. 

We have always wondered how they get boats so close together in the boatyard.  During hurricane season boats are practically rail to rail  This handy gizmo is called a stacker.  We were transferred from the lift to the stacker and driven to our parking place in the boatyard.  Although the yard was not as crowded as it is in high season, this did allow the driver more maneuverability when placing us in our work spot.

My job was to sand and paint the bottom, centerboard  and boot stripe of Toi et Moi.  Jon was in charge of everything else!  So, here I am ready for action.  Mind you, it was in the high 80's while I was working my tail off in this very attractive jumpsuit.  None the less, I got the job finished... and I did it ALL BY MYSELF!  

My reward for a job well done included a trip to Florida, where I was able to attend the Miami Boat Show and hang out with Ian and Maggy for a while.  It had been  at least a year since we were both in St. Pete at the same time!  Despite the cooler temperatures, Ian braved the waters off Ft. Desoto to get in a little kiting.  Unfortunately, after a few great rides his bar broke and he had to call it a day.  

Grenada is great but there is something to be said about a Florida sunset.  

We happened to time our Keys visit with the annual Buccaneer Blast youth regatta at the Upper Keys Sailing Club.  We have seen this regatta grow from maybe 10 boats (when Ian sailed it my first year in the Keys) to 132 boats this year!  It was so satisfying to see our little program grow up.  Thanks, Andy, for taking us out and for your efforts in getting the youth sailing program back on track!

I had a great time in Florida, visiting friends and family in both he Keys and St. Pete, but it was time to head home to Jon, Opti, and Toi et Moi.  Jon had finished his work and we were now out of the boatyard and in the harbor.  

As you can see, the hardtop is in place and we are enjoying a lot more shade!  We are now in the process of adding screens and vinyl to make our cockpit truly livable in all kinds of weather.  

FINALLY!!! Our brand new sail has arrived, Jon and I have been sailing a total of 35 years and this is our first brand new sail!  We are thrilled.  Getting the wrap around sail rigged took some time and will need to be tweaked  during a sea trial, but to hear the crinkle of the new sailcloth was music to our ears. (Even J