We departed Union
Island at lunch time
today, after the refrigeration engineers spent a second day attempting to get
our new freezer installation performing correctly.
Last night we took a taxi to Chatham Bay
to enjoy the delights of the Shark Attach Restaurant, on the beach. This also
had the added advantage of providing us with an Island
tour!
In the event the taxi dropped us at the top of a rather
treacherous track that was over a mile long, down a steep incline. Not easy in
the daylight, so you can imagine what fun we had going back!
In the event we went to the next restaurant along the beach
called Balled Head Restaurant and Bar. We had some awesome Rum Punches and a
mixture of grilled Lobster and Grilled Chicken. It was a BYO joint, so I had
lugged two bottles of wine along.
The
Three Anahi’s and Zippy crew at Chatham Beach
The restaurant was full of French, Italian and American
people, all having a ball. Mind you. The Sand Flies and Mosquitoes were also
having a ball, or more correctly a feeding frenzy……….
After this we returned to Clifton and ended our evening bopping away in
the “Stress” nightclub. (The name is absolutely hilarious given the
“mind set” of most of the clientele). This was a slightly
scary “joint” Actually joint was the operative word!! The aroma in
this establishment was pungent with the smell of various drugs, and overexerted
human bodies. Some of the dancing by the local “ladies”
was extremely provocative………….Jennie was also the
target for some erotic dancing but as usual she danced them into the deck. This
provided me with much entertainment. Got back to the boat in the wee small
hours. Oh no, not more Thistle Milk
needed………..
As we sat on the boat this morning, whist the refrigeration
engineers toiled away down below. A chap appeared along side in a dingy. Much
to our astonishment it was one of the berth holders from Noss Marina, back
home, who was in the Grenadines and a weeks
bareboat charter holiday. I am not sure who was the most surprised to see each
other! Sadly he had to leave due to a tight schedule, so we did not have
the opportunity for much of a gossip………It IS such a small
world.
We came over to Petite Martinique for three reasons. It has
(allegedly) the cheapest Diesel in the Caribbean,
the cheapest Wine and is totally under developed. The fuel dock has a very
strong surge and is not somewhere you want to dally! I thought the boats cleats
were going to be ripped out at one point. The cost of 69 US gallons of diesel was ECD 811
which works out to approximately GBP £2 per gallon. The wine selection
was very limited, but about £3 a bottle. The place has a real charm about it in
a scruffy sort of way. But the people are delightful. Totally laid back and
full of smiles.
Down
Town Petite Martinique
We are off to the Palm Island Restaurant for dinner tonight.
It is supposed to be very good and not too pricy. So something to look forward
to!!
Then it’s off to Bonaire
in the morning. A 420nm trip in some quite big seas. The forecast is for light
winds. So it looks like we will be using quite a bit of that fuel I just
bought!
One thing is for sure. The Caribbean
is a fun place, but it has sure been an expensive
experience……………..you
have been warned…..(Well two things then if you want to be
pedantic)