St George’s, Grenada
Author: Shirlz
Thursday, 6th June 2013
I would have been happy to spend more time in Tyrrel Bay – so relaxed and friendly – but I was getting paranoid about the approaching hurricane season and dreaded the thought of having to try to find a safe place for the boat if one were to arrive and blast us out of our illusion of security. So a week after getting in I set off on my way back to Trinidad. First I sailed down to Grenada and anchored in the big bay outside St George’s. It was a bit disappointing not being able to anchor in the lagoon as I had done before in 2003. An enormous marina development has taken up all the available space. The fact that it was practically empty made it even more exasperating. Well at least outside the water was good for swimming and the long row to get ashore would keep me fit.
St George’s is an interesting old town with some restored buildings along the water’s edge at the Carenage. The after effects of the devastating hurricane, Ivan, which scored a direct hit in 2004 can still be seen. The big stone cathedral near the fort remains minus a roof.
I dutifully took a walk up the steep road to the fort and got caught in a heavy rain shower which helped to cool things off. A good view over the town but it was a grey day and my photos were uninspiring. Back down at the Carenage some slightly squiffy locals stationed under the bougainvillea near the old red phone boxes tried to chat me up. I played along for a bit and we ended up having a good laugh. Some things are easier when you’re an old bat.
I wandered on. Up and down steep and narrow streets with fruit-sellers somehow managing to find space to display and sell their wares. I bought a few mysterious, brown fruity things that looked a bit like potatoes but were quite delicious with big shiny black pips. Must try to find out what they are called.
Close to the cruise ship dock there is a gigantic, new, air-conditioned mall filled with kitschy souvenir shops, presumably aimed at the delicate souls who get shipped in en masse in those enormous floating blocks of flats. Big clear signs, strategically placed, helping them to navigate safely back to the mother ship. I bought a fruity, icy smoothie and took advantage of the free wifi. I seem to recall that the network was rather unnervingly called ‘hackers hotspot’. On the way back I walked through the narrow old tunnel which is a great shortcut through the hill.
After a few days I moved on to Prickly Bay which involved a wonderful fast downwind leg to Point Salines and then a hard motor-sail for a few miles due East along the South coast to the anchorage. It was fairly crowded as I’m not the only one moving away from the hurricane zone. It was good to see familiar faces again and catch up with news and sketchy plans.
A good rainy day conveniently filled my water tanks and at 8 the next morning I set off on the final leg to Trinidad.
September 5th, 2013 at 17:29
Shirley – a lot of kisses for you. Vivi and Rubia- sail boat Bubi – Florianópolis – Br.