Land Ho!
We arrived in Grenada early on 7th February, to a beautiful rising sun.
We were close behind another Viking boat called Sea Dreamer, who had slowed down to arrive in the daylight.
It was quite thrilling and a little surreal to be back near to land – Jenni thought that the previous weeks now seemed like just a dream, and actually we had just done a couple of days crossing!
It was also strange to have to put out fenders and get lines ready – and very confusing as to what the marina wanted us to do with the lines! They were telling us “bow lines ready” so we attached lines on the bow, but then they started to say “no” and it transpired they just wanted the lines first, so we took them off and gave them to the Marinero. All very confusing. You can see the photos of the Viking Explorer arrival on our Viking Explorer Photos page.
We were following the marinero for what felt like an age as we came to our spot, which was quite tight and required reversing in. Skipper did a marvellous job, as usual, and eventually we were tied up – and looked up to many familiar faces of the Vikings already arrived on the dock. It was a whirlwind and we were handed rum punch, our photos were taken and we were whisked away for a tour of the marina! Wow!
We then had to go and check in which took a while, waiting outside the office in the caribbean heat – gosh it felt hot!
Eventually things calmed down and we made our way to the bar for some drinks and food – but it wasn’t a late night as everyone was so tired!
Viking Explorers Reunite
The next day more Vikings continued to arrive and there was more rum punch all round. Another Viking (James) who hadn’t been able do the journey due to health issues had been given the all clear to fly and he came to visit us on Yanula Blue. This turned in to an all day event, as friends walked by and joined us for a few beers, then left and other friends came over, and so on as the day went by. It ended up being an amazing party in to the night!
Thunderbirds Are Go
During the Atlantic crossing Stephen, the skipper of Thankfulness II, had suffered with severe abdominal pain during the sail and their insurance company had requested they take their boat to Barbados, which was nearer then Grenada and where they could get hospital support.
We became aware that their boat would be at anchor off Port St Charles with their two crew, Laura and Phillip still onboard – there are not many marina spaces in Barbados and it is very expensive if you can get one!
Jenni suggested that we might be able to help them get the boat to Grenada and so, together with Vince the Skipper of Joyce Ellen, we hatched a plan to retrieve the boat and sail it back to Port Louis in Grenada, so that it was one less thing for Stephen, and Kerry his wife, to worry about.
Having made contact, the couple accepted our offer and so Chris and Vince checked out of Grenada at the airport and flew to Barbados. Vince and Chris had been talking Laura and Philip prior to their arrival, and they had prepared the boat with food for the crossing, had help to fill up with water from another yacht called Lalaria who were anchored in the same spot and we had met in Las Palmas. They also ensured that customs and immigration were prepared for arrival by taxi over an hour after our landing. The officers were waiting after hours and efficiently and quickly had us on our way.
Vince and Chris were not familiar with the boat, so had the crew show them all of the systems and they set off that evening as the light was fading. They set the sails, set the Hydrovane, aimed for Grenada and settled in to 4 hour watches. Vince and Chris took 4 hours on, four hours off, and the two crew straddled our watches so that an experienced Skipper was with a knowledgeable crew at all times. They successfully arrived the following evening having completed 180 miles. Well done team!!
Stephen was subsequently released from hospital having had a serious kidney infection, which could be treated. He was pleased not to have to sail the boat immediately after discharge, and we next met him in the Port Louis Pool relaxing as per doctors orders – well done Skippers!
Looking Ahead to the Next Phase
Jenni & Chris had a new focus – to get the boat ready for exploring the Caribbean and hired a car with some friends to go and check out the chandlers and the locations for lifting the boats over hurricane season. Tina our crew rightly went out and explored the beautiful Grenada and its waterfalls. We purposefully didn’t explore, knowing we would be spending at least a part of hurricane season back on the island.
We also were waiting for the later boats to arrive and supporting so many amazing achievements.
The Local Wildlife
Jenni had also made a very important friend – a little kitten who lived in the car park who we named Louis. No-one knew where Louis had come from and we discovered there were cats who lived ‘inside’ the marina gates and those that lived ‘outside’. Zara, the marina manager, told Jenni that no-one had got near that kitten so far, but he was definitely happy to have company and came running to say hello, even before Jen started taking him tins of tuna!
It was very tempting not to adopt him, but we knew it would make things so much more difficult with customs and vaccinations and food and litter and so on, so with a heavy heart we said goodbye to l’il Louis and hope to see him again soon.
The Vikings are Welcomed
There was a welcome party on the Friday night with speeches and awards and a steel band afterwards. Chris was awarded the Youngest Skipper (not difficult) and also the Spirit of the Viking (took a bit more effort), which is given to the person who most portrays the Viking spirit of helping everyone! It was well done indeed!! You can see all of the photos on our Viking Explorers Photo page
Party time
One evening we collectively took a taxi to Umbrellas, a Caribbean beach bar with a reputation for great music. It was very busy with locals and tourists alike and took a while to get in.
Vince, who’s birthday it was, had to use all of his charm to get two large tables together to accommodate our large group.
The burgers were to die for and later we had a boogy to a great live band.
Moving on from the Marina
Part of Chris’s award included a voucher for a week on a mooring buoy with Moorsafe on the south of the island. Given this was where we were thinking to spend part of our time during Hurricane season we decided to take advantage of it and have a week of relaxation. Moorsafe could only fit us in at True Blue Bay, but that was great as the hotel resort there had a pool which we could use. Some of our other boat friends decided to move there too and a chilled week was had by the pool, drinking punch, and making good memories.
Diving in the Caribbean
We also had gone to an anchorage for a few days with some friends where Chris and they went diving the Grenada water sculpture park.
Where next?
Eventually it was time to leave Grenada, for the moment, and head north to St Vincent and the Grenadines. It was our first time going to Customs on our dinghy, which was also very memorable and very wet!!! We very nearly turned around as there were breaking waves around the headland, but we carried on and it was much easier on the return journey.
When we were with the Customs we asked about returning and staying for longer next time and the Customs official said “we don’t really care what you do” in a relaxed way … very Caribbean style!!
