TRINIDAD - APRIL 2006
The marina was just a short walk to the swimming pool, which was very nice. The marina was full of sailboats from different parts of the world. The one thing in common seemed to be that everyone there was getting work done on their boats and pulling them out of the water to be on the hard for hurricane season. Of course, our primary reason for being here was to have additional gear added to Free Spirit.
After meeting several of our new neighbors and getting the boat cleaned up from the long trip, it was time to get the work started. Adrian, from Marine Warehouse, was first to arrive regarding the new spectra watermaker. He did a quick check of the layout and said that it would be a fairly easy install and that he could get started next day. Then, Jim with First Mate Electrical came by to see about the solar panel install and said the same thing. Next was Dave with KISS Wind Generators who also said no problem. All of the neighbors around us just laughed and said that there was no way all this work was going to get done this fast. My response was, ready or not, I am leaving for Grenada in one week to meet Kya.
During the week, I spent a lot of time with Claude and Suzzane on the 47’ Catana “Melody” which was in the slip next to us. They hooked me up with some really good charts and sailing guides for Central America and Mexico, where I was headed and they had recently been. They were just finishing a season of cruising the eastern carribean islands and were full of good advice and tips. Of course, we had plenty of drinks and good food with lots of good stories and laughs. Really cool couple!
To everyones surprise, the guys were fast and efficient getting all the work done just as they had promised. I would not hesitate in recommending all of them. They really got the job done and everything turned out great. The only problem was the new dinghy I had purchased the month before never arrived. It was suppose to be shipped to Trinidad from the US. I ended up having to buy a new 10’ Caribe with a 15 hp Mercury at the last minute before leaving Trinidad, which worked out just fine.
As the work was being completed on the boat, it was time for Babalu to fly back to Brazil and Rick was flying out to spend time with his sister on a trip to Europe. This left me single handing the 80 miles north to Grenada to meet Kya.
In order to reach Grenada in time to pick Kya up at the airport in St George, I had to leave Chagaramas Bay at midnight with no moon. It was really dark and made me a little nervous trying to make my way thru the bay and cut leading back into the open ocean. It was a relief to reach open waters again, but now the auto pilot decided to act up leaving me to hand steer the rest of the night and on into Prickley Bay, Grenada. I dropped the anchor and had time for a quick 3 hour nap before leaving the boat for the airport.
Kya’s flight was on time and we were now ready for a nice 9 days of cruising in the Grenadines.