Carriacou January 2016!

Carriacou!

Back again but still no progress on the engine front, frustration deluxe!

After a flurry of e-mails it seems that we cannot solve the problem, Volvo and Golden Marine keep coming up with the wrong part despite having originally supplied two of the correct parts. We are now looking to source the part from elsewhere. The problem still exists of how we get it out here.

We finally manage to find the correct part from Diesel Technique in the UK. They will post it to Ruth who will bring it out to St Lucia with her. A big thank you must go to Mark Smith and Andy Hewing for their prompt response.

 While all this is going on we might as well enjoy the Carriacou cruising life. 

We woke one morning to the sight of an old ferry sinking on it's mooring! - It was pumped out and the hole 'fixed' with underwater epoxy. Aparently it is a fairly frequent occurence!

We attended Youthlin’s Cultural Evening before Xmas, an evening of local drumming, dancing, and music with very African rhythms. 

The dancers are in traditional costume, men and women though the drummers are traditionally only men. 

This was followed by the ‘Shakespeare Mass’ where the performers attempt to outdo each other by quoting from Shakespeare texts in really outlandish costumes.The audience are really involved and clap when they do well and boo if they get it wrong. Amazing! The evening culminated in more contemporary Penang and Calypso style music. A very interesting glimpse into Carriacou traditions. 

 

Woe betide you if you forget your lines!

The Shakespeare dates from slave days. The slave owners would teach the slaves the Shakespeare and would have competitions between plantations. Even though harsh punishments were apparently meted out if they got it wrong, they have maintained the tradition. It is only here on Carricaou.

Local food was also available, cooked traditionally outside on open fires and BBQ of course.

Youthlin, who was also one of the dancers spoke to us afterwards. They are really pleased when non locals come. We asked her if this was a regular event and she said “Yes, every year, the last weekend in November.” Deadpan. So, definitely a note for your diary if you are here in November.

Sabrena - The next Beverly Knight?

The big event was to be a concert by Sabrena, a local Grenadian artiste at the ‘Off the Hook Bar’ on Paradise Beach. Sabrena was promoting her soon to be released 1^st album of songs. Some were cover versions of popular blues/rock numbers and some material written by herself and her sister.These topical ballads described island life from a young woman’s view. The concert at the beach was enjoyed by locals and cruisers alike and we are really glad we were there. 

Kareoke in Levi's Bar, note the real musicians - You just have to join in!

Aside from the more formal events, we had the usual rounds of sundowners and visits to local bars and restaurants with other cruisers. We calculated there are about 22 establishments in Tyrell bay, but we have only managed to visit 14 of them so far! So you can see there is always something to do. As cruisers we are always meeting new and catching up with old friends.  ‘Euan Mara’ who had just crossed the Atlantic, their landfall was Carriacou, well done, and a nicer landfall you couldn’t get. ‘Infini’ who have almost completed their circumnavigation, ‘Crazy Diamond’ who probably have circumnavigated, having been to Australia by both the Pacific and Indian Oceans! We also caught up with ‘Mistress’ who we first met and last saw 2 years ago.

Just to dispel any thoughts that all we do is eat and drink, we also managed a few different excursions. We had a walk to another secluded bay for some good snorkelling. 

On 'Safari'!

The scenery looked very African – long straight grass, fences made from rough branches and barbed wire, goats wandering around and even a muddy waterhole. 

An Ideal spot for lunch in Hillsborough - after a hard mornings shopping!

Another day we walked all the way to Hillsborough along the sea shore. For quite a bit we had to scramble through thick mangroves and coming back to sea one time we saw a small lemon shark swimming in the shallows! 

Hiking through the mangroves

We scheduled a couple of dives

Bluebell tunicates - they really are this blue

A shy Trunkfish

 

 including a Lion fish hunt (where Richard bagged two), 

Got it!

had a weekend at Sandy island where the snorkelling was excellent

A French grunt in the shallows off Sandy island

 and visited the neighbouring islands of Petit Martinique and Petit St Vincent.

Anchored off Petit St Vincent

The latter is just an exclusive resort, yachties are welcome to use the beach bar but the island is private. At their prices they won’t be getting much of our business!

This Ferry picked up a mooring off Petit Martinique - no help just 2 on board!

Petit Martinique is quaint 

and very rural. 

 

If you think Carriacou is laid back, 

Not seeen much action lately!

Petit Martinique is horizontal!

The Anchorage in Petit Martinique

Finally with our injector delivery arranged we manage to head north. Richard’s daughter and her husband are coming to St Lucia in February for the school half term so we need to be there to meet them.