Ticketeeboo - Mt Hardman, Grenada

Mt Hardman, Grenada

Ticketeeboo

Sue & Alan

Thu 30 Jan 2014 12:53

There's a small decent looking marina in the NW byte of Mardman Bay so after watching some other yachties land there, that's where we headed to land and check-in. There's a floating pontoon where tenders can safely left (locked-up). We were immediately met by a taxi driver. I'd been told it is just a short walk across to Prickly Bay where there's a Customs & Immigration office so I declined using the taxi at which Sue, Ray & Sandra decided they would visit the marina bar instead. Just outside the marina entrance I asked directions and was offered a short-cut and the normal way. I set off on the short-cut only to be confronted by some hungry and angry looking big dogs. OK they were t'other side of a substantial 'tennis court type fence' but were directing a lorra noise at me. This man is easily turned so as a walked back past same guy I said to him "I'll take the normal way!". I'd only been walking few minutes when a van pulled up (local sailmaker) offering me a lift and dropped me of
f at Prickly Bay Marina right next to the Customs & Immigration office where I was immediately told-off and told (in no uncertain terms) "Mt Hardman Bay is not a port of entry". "Give-in and tell 'em I have made a mistake and I am very sorry and ask them what I must do" me thinks and says to them (with unbelieveable sincerity and politeness!!!). It worked as well because they say "OK you can check-in now". We now officially have a listed weapon on board - description - spear-gun, make - Greeko, method of firing - elastic, serial number - MI55ING, maximum range - two feet. I was stuck on the question "next port?" so I asked the couple (from Brazil) where they're going next so I duly entered "Carriacou" as my answer. Unfortunately, the Customs guy (big feller too) crosses Carriacou out saying "Carriacou is in Grenada - next port must be outside Grenada" to which I said "We have not chosen next port yet so lets say anywhere not too far north of Grenada please." I'll need to have anothe
r ganda at the form to see where we're going next! We paid $42 US fee, us 90 days visa and yacht 30 days. We'll only be visiting Grenada few days before we have to move-on because Sandra & Ray need to be offski at St Lucia in couple of weeks. My walk back took maybe 15 - 20 minutes. It would have taken less time if I had not needed to re-trace steps once and ask directions three or four times, including stopping a car! As I arrived at Secret Harbour Marina (where I'd left the others) they were just getting ready to go, Sandra, Sue & Ray all very happy on 1 x rum punch so I joined them and ordered one, Ray another and then me another. Back on Ticketeeboo we all had another too. Spiced chicken drum sticks & spiced rice for evening meal went down a treat and everyone was in bed for ten past eight (knackered)!
This morning it's Ray's Birthday 'soixante neuf' and he's very happy man. At 0800 I was pleased to announce this on the Coconut Telegraph Caribbean cruisers net at on 8170 kHz at 0800 Zulu time. Happy Birthday Ray. We're planning a celebration evening meal at a suitable ashore hostelry with the intention of being out later than ten past eight tonight!
Ticketeeboo MMSI 235071989 Callsign 2CED3, Ham callsign = m0hng
At 29/01/2014 14:21 UT our position was 12°00.01'N 061°44.97'W
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