Our sail from Suriname, South America north to the Caribbean was fast and it took no time at all before we reached Grenada at the southern end of the Windward Islands. The Caribbean is a series of islands running roughly north-south between the top of South America and the bottom of North America. It is made up of many countries all of which have fascinating histories. We did miss Trinidad, however, as we had heard grim stories of robbery and thieving in the area and decided not to tempt fate.

Grenada as our first landfall in the Caribbean was a good choice and we settled into the carefree life style with the day time temperatures just right and the water temperature perfect for swimming at 28 degrees C. It rained mostly at night and we were able to keep our water tanks topped up. Grenada is quite hilly and lush and does not usually feel the effects of hurricanes.

Sailing between Tobago Prickly Bay, Grenada Marina, Prickly Bay

and Grenada

The bar Marina Prickly Prickly Bay Union Island

Bay watching the cricket

Grenada was civilized and laid back and very yachtie friendly. We were introduced to rum punches and enjoyed the local steel drum music, even if it seemed to go all night.

We worked our way up the chain of islands, stopping to snorkel in the Tobago Keys and eat crayfish and then swimming in Admiralty Bay in Bequai ( pronounced Beckway) and meeting friends before Sailing up to St Lucia.

Tobago Keys clear water Union Island reef bar Union Island

Union Island Tobago Keys Tobago Keys

Tobago Keys Tobago Keys Tobago Keys

Tobago Keys Tobago Keys Tobago Keys

Tobago Keys a bit busy Moet and lobster yum Charter Boat

Bequai, Admiralty Bay ditto Traditional buildings

Bequai

Crew from “Bondi Tram” “Iron Bark” Trevor on Iron Bark

Iron Bark leaving Admiralty Bay

We caught up with Geoffrey and Emily in Martinique where Emily is finalizing her medical qualification and Geoffrey is repairing a motorboat which was damaged in last season’s hurricane before selling it and then starting work on a sailing catamaran.

It was carnival in Fort de France which was quite a process with a children’s day, a cross-dressing day, a black’n white day and a red day. People get into the spirit of the day by dressing in the theme of the day and then parading through the streets and dancing. The youngest participant could only just walk and the oldest was 102 and still going strong. There were floats and bands playing lots of loud music. The costumes were skimpy and colourful.

Le Marin Martinique Geoffrey’s project Fancy Pants cleaning the fish

Fancy Pants Not a good look

Rocher du Diamant

Fort de France Geoffrey and Emily

Fort de France Setting up for Carnival

The parade begins

Hello Sailor Emily in a wig

The Crew

Dinghy dock

Sail repair Volcano at San Pierre, destroyed the whole town, only

Survivor was a prisoner - who said crime didn’t pay!

Further north again to Dominica and Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe, Antigua and St Barts before stopping for a few weeks in St Martin. A great spot for yachties to relax and have fun.

Iles des Saintes Traditional craft Bourg des Saintes

Fort on the hill Iles des Saintes View from Fort

St Martin view from boat

View from the bar at Grand Case

Transport Clear water

Then to the US Virgin Islands where we found out that we had a problem with our US Visa and ever northward to the Bahamas.

We stopped at Conception Island for about a week. It is an uninhabited island and just perfect, sandy beaches, clear warm water and lots of wildlife including a turtle rookery.

Conception Island Dolphin

Of all the islands in the Caribbean the Bahamas were our favorites. They were unspoilt and the people were very friendly. Stopped at several lovely islands.

We sailed to Georgetown to try to organize more suitable US visa but without luck.

Traditional boating Georgetown race week

Out on a plank

So we put our plans of a refit and touring the USA on hold and decided to do the refit in Oz or NZ. Pacific here we come.