Hog Island.... kid-boat heaven!

Hog Island has been home for a while now.  It's a great anchorage on the southern end of Grenada, well protected from any swell with fringing reef, and most importantly, there are lots of kid-boats around.  All three of ours have enjoyed playing in the afternoons with kids from nearby boats - on the beach, in their sailing dinghy's, on paddle boards, scurfing and wake boarding etc.  We often don't see them until dark!

From here we can access four marinas, all a 5-10 minute dinghy ride away.  We go on a weekly shopping bus to Grande Anse near St Georges, and see the fruit and vege lady once a week at a local marina.  Other than that, we make water and catch it, and the other regular expense is outboard fuel.  Whenever we go on walks we look for mangoes, limes, star fruit, and gospo (like an orange).  We order meat which is delivered to a marina and have started making South African Biltong... very yummy!

Travis has started swim training with a friend for an event at the end of the month.  He also entered a Hobie-cat sailing competition and had fun.  Beau takes off in the Optimist every afternoon and meets up with other kids sailing around the anchorage.  Kara usually plays on the beach with her friends.  Sonia enjoys morning paddle boarding around Hog Island, walking the trails, and noodleing with the women.  I found someone who owns an ocean racing ski and have been taking it out as much as possible.  We all enjoy Hash House Harriers on a Saturday afternoon which takes us all over the country!

Grenada, the spice island...

Grenada at the southern end of the Eastern Caribbean chain,

Grenada is a beautiful Commonwealth country only about 100 nautical miles from South America.  It has a population of about 110,000 and is the world's largest exporter of nutmeg, hence the symbol on the flag.

These waterfront colonial buildings have been well restored

The capital, St Georges in the southwest has a very picturesque harbour with quaint English style buildings. The fort was built in the early days of French colonisation (1710) and has seen a number of exchanges between the French and English over the years.

Hospital Hill with Fort George bearing down

The Carenage, dockside for ferries and fishing boats

 
We stayed outside the Carenage on anchor when we arrived late June to complete the formalities (Customs and Immigration) before sailing around Point Saline to Clarke's Court Bay Marina in the south.

After our road trip to North America we moved to a well protected anchorage off Hog Island, returning to Grenada just in time for the annual Carnival.

A full dinghy dock at the yacht club looking out to the Caribbean Sea 

CARNIVAL

Carnival is a fascinating cultural event held over a week and based on a mixture of folklore and religion.  It involves street parades with colourful costumes and Mas (masquerade), loud music, steel bands, and Jouvert (oil and paint throwing) - which we avoided!

Very colourful costumes, which has something to do with the freedom expressed following years of slavery...

It's amazing how the whole town gets out in all their regalia, young and old, dancing to a thumping beat, for hours in the sweltering heat!