Charlotte Amalie
Moonbeam
David and Lynn Wilkie
Thu 2 May 2013 11:03
18.19.813N
064.56.932W
Christmas Cove
As those who do not already know “Moonbeam” is heading back to the West
Coast of Scotland for a reality check- no plans further than that yet- we will
have to see! We are also running short of tea bags.
Having met several people who have sailed back across the Atlantic west to
east and said they did not want to do it again and not fancying the trip with
just the two of us we are now in St.Thomas USVI waiting for our ship to come in-
the MV Sampogracht www.spliethoff.com/photos will
transport Moonbeam to Southampton which just leaves us the 600 miles back to
Loch Melfort!
Charlotte Amalie is the capital of the USVI’s and is dedicated to cruise
ships; passengers who flock ashore to the shops in the ‘old town’ to buy
diamonds, watches, cameras, clothing and tourist tat. As all the cruise ship
destinations are the same do they buy a watch in every port?
At anchor Charlotte Amalie
We anchored in the harbour and headed ashore to find the Carnival was on
and Emancipation Square was full of stalls selling local food and drink and the
youngsters of the Rising Stars Steel Band were playing brilliantly in their
mobile two storey stage. At the other end of the square another steel band was
also playing; both bands having the inevitable solo dancers performing in front
of them!
Most of the local ladies of varying shapes and sizes were dressed in weird
and outrageous costumes! Many people say hello and ask where we are from-
hopefully we are distinguishable from the many cruise ship passengers who swarm
down the duty-free shopping street.
Perhaps unfortunately we were anchored just a few hundred yards from the
stage and fun fair and the riotous noise and bands playing to the early hours
woke us several times during the night!
We went ashore next morning to watch the J’Ouvert parade but unfortunately
the police cancelled it, presumably due to some violent incident.....great pity
as everybody had dressed for the occasion.
The main adult parade was on Saturday but we learnt of problems with guns
and violence and decided just to listen and watch from on the water. Problems in
paradise.
Fireworks to mark the end of the 2 week carnival
103 steps up to Bluebeard’s Castle
Security at the Governor’s Office
one of the ‘pirate’ ships that takes
daysails!
Jeanneau, Swan, Rustler, Arcona – all makes represented
Gunboat Cat being
loaded
Enormous Cat being loaded – 85’+? – a double lift
We were told we were to be loaded 11am Wednesday, changed to 11pm
Wednesday, changed to 11am Thursday but our flight to JFK is 1pm so we are
leaving Moonbeam alongside the ship to be lifted!
Not ideal.
Next blog will be from the UK! David &
Lynn Thursday morning 6am
|