A (Not Final) Farewell

That dreaded time for cruising sailors was fast approaching – haulout time. A necessary evil of the cruising life is that you periodically must have your home lifted out of the water and placed on stilts. While in this unnatural state for a boat, all types of bottom maintenance can be performed, and ¡Pura Vida! was in desperate need of some care.

Unusually heavy sargassum this season turned the sea orangeyUnusually heavy sargassum this season turned the sea orangey
Cozy Marigot Bay, St. LuciaCozy Marigot Bay, St. Lucia
Rodney Bay St. LuciaRodney Bay St. Lucia
s/v Carpe Ventum anchored at Paradise Beach with Tyrell Bay in backgrounds/v Carpe Ventum anchored at Paradise Beach with Tyrell Bay in background

We made the most of the last two weeks afloat by visiting Martinique and Saint Lucia in the company of friends aboard s/v The Kraken, s/v Sea Frog, and s/v Carpe Ventum. Our merry floating armada sailed from anchorage to anchorage eating, drinking, and exploring until we had to split up. Some moved south to Grenada, others stayed to work on their boat, and we became landlubbers.

Best sushi in the Eastern CaribbeanBest sushi in the Eastern Caribbean
Playing at Sandy IslandPlaying at Sandy Island
Limin' at Paradise BeachLimin' at Paradise Beach
A peppery Ti Punch in MartiniqueA peppery Ti Punch in Martinique
Fort RodneyFort Rodney
Top of Signal Hill, Pigeon Island National ParkTop of Signal Hill, Pigeon Island National Park
Rodney BayRodney Bay
Our anchorage viewed from Pigeon Island National ParkOur anchorage viewed from Pigeon Island National Park

Landlubbers

We chose to haulout in Carriacou, Grenada, because we adore this small island and its laid-back attitude, plus the price was below average for the work we had scheduled. If we have to live on land for a few weeks, it might as well be in paradise. Kimberly found us a small house on the hill with a spectacular view of Tyrell Bay and the sunset.

In the slings ready to lift (>splash< in water is diver checking slings)In the slings ready to lift (>splash< in water is diver checking slings)
This never feels rightThis never feels right
High-rise apartment?High-rise apartment?
Marina and Tyrell Bay in the backgroundMarina and Tyrell Bay in the background
Pura Vida in the boat yardPura Vida in the boat yard
Our yard neighbors were refurbishing a wooden cargo boat by handOur yard neighbors were refurbishing a wooden cargo boat by hand

Time on land was a mixture of frantic activity and dreadfully slow waiting. Some days the boatyard workers made impressive progress, and some days we watched the rain while no work could be done. Our plan for two weeks on land turned into three weeks, then four – island time!

re-painting the "boot stripe" on a windy dayre-painting the "boot stripe" on a windy day
removing years of old paintremoving years of old paint
Primer onPrimer on
Fresh new bottomFresh new bottom

One benefit of staying in a single place for so long was feeling like locals. After just a week, the fruit and vegetable vendors got to know, our likes and would save some of their best produce for us. Our favorite was an elderly woman, with a fruit stand high above her fence, who would greet us every day with “hello my babies, my lovelies,” as we rode our bikes into town. “Make sure to stop by later for some soursop!”

Hiking in CarriacouHiking in Carriacou
The trees bloomed after the rains startedThe trees bloomed after the rains started
Exploring an abandoned house deep in the woods -- what could possibly go wrong?Exploring an abandoned house deep in the woods -- what could possibly go wrong?
Hiking buddies on s/v Pierina and s/v TrismicHiking buddies on s/v Pierina and s/v Trismic
2018-07-05-11-49-01-166
GRE - Sandy island JUL 2018 (42)
IMG_20180704_172449

Splash!!!

After one month “on the hard,” our beloved home was back afloat and better than ever. ¡Pura Vida! had freshly sanded teak, a newly painted bottom, a gleaming propeller, and many more improvements. We were eager to be sailors again, and giddy with delight to spend our first night back on our floating home. Of course, French champagne was involved!

Hooray!Hooray!
Gregory, the "door to door" produce vendor in Rodney BayGregory, the "door to door" produce vendor in Rodney Bay
Our last secluded anchorage in CarriacouOur last secluded anchorage in Carriacou

“So long, and thanks for all the fish!”

With the boat in top shape, we started looking for a weather window to do the 463 nautical mile, three day crossing to Bonaire. We briefly stopped back in St. Lucia and Martinique to do one final provisioning of spare parts and French delights, and to visit with some of our best cruising friends on s/v Kailani. The farewells to all our friends, from Grenada to Martinique, were especially hard this time. We were leaving the Eastern Caribbean for the foreseeable future, and they were all staying.

Must have French wineMust have French wine
The French make the best flavored chips: Dijon mustard, roasted chicken, and wasabiThe French make the best flavored chips: Dijon mustard, roasted chicken, and wasabi
So much deliciousnessSo much deliciousness
With Will and Wendy on s/v KailaniWith Will and Wendy on s/v Kailani
This little boy decided we were his besties for the afternoonThis little boy decided we were his besties for the afternoon

Such is the life of sailors. When the time was right, we did one final weather check, pulled up anchor, pointed the bow west into the open sea, and sailed in search of new adventures.

We, literally, sailed off into the sunsetWe, literally, sailed off into the sunset

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