It´s Reggae Time

I wake up in my bunk and look up the mast through the skylight. The yellow flag is flying under the first sailing. We are moored in Tyrell Bay off Carriacou, waiting for instructions to clear in. The island belongs to Grenada and is about 15 nautical miles north. Tyrell Bay is Port of Entry. The day before we reported to the port authority, via VHF channel 16, and got the instruction to stay on board until the date for the health check is known. From the radio we get the first impressions of the Caribbean way of life. "Rudolph the red nosed reindeer" is played up and down in the pre-Christmas season. However, with steel drums and reggea rhythm.

Tyrell Bay Marina, Carriacou

Shortly before 11 a.m., we receive instructions over the radio to report to Tyrell Bay Marina at 1 p.m. to complete the covid procedure. We don't realize until the next day that we've missed the time change by one hour. Under a makeshift tent, shielded by two containers in the far corner of the marina, the health check is carried out. The official from the health department does not notice our delay and, after answering the question about the vaccination status, issues us a certificate that we are allowed to move freely on the island. Now we go to the actual clearing in, to the customs and the immigration office. This is, how could it be otherwise, on the other side of the bay. We take the opportunity to walk around the bay and get first impressions on land. In the Carriacou Marina is Customs and Immigration and since we have registered and logged on the Internet platform "sailclear", the clearing is quite simple. After paying the equivalent of 30€, we officially entered the Caribbean. Respectively in Grenada, because you have to clear in again for each group of islands. On the way back, of course, we get stuck in a bar and enjoy the view out into the bay. 

Tyrell Bay, Carriacou

Back at the dinghy we are surprised that it gets dark so early here. Still of the opinion to have the correct time, finally we have cell phones which confirm us that, we drive back to the Katinka. The next day we decide to drive with the dinghy the individual jetties to clarify the purchase possibilities, in addition we want to visit the one or other bar, in order to be prepared for Christmas. At Scraper, a Dutch saddler, I then learn that it is instead of shortly after three already shortly after four. The Reggea rhythm already in the blood, we become so slowly conscious that we have had yesterday with the clearance quite nice luck, the official could have driven away also simply again, after we have not appeared at one o'clock. On a shaky jetty we moor with the dinghy and I drink my first Rum Cola in the "Gallery Cafe".

Crazy Beach Corner, Carriacou

A jetty further on we reach the "Crazy Beach Corner", which is run by two Viennese women. Today we have goulash with potatoes, which of course I can't miss. We like Carriacou better and better, the only downer is that we had to notice paint damage on our hull. So we can't go on in any case and the next day I go to the marina to ask for possibilities and prices. Surely Grenada or the northern islands are better for a shipyard stay, but Tyrell Bay Marina has all the workshops available and the prices are affordable. So we decide to have the necessary work done here. 

Paint damage at the Katinka

On Sunday we change from our anchorage to the jetty of the marina to be lifted out of the water on Monday morning. After a good two years we are now once again on land. The Coppercoat worked very well. Both hulls were steamed off in a quarter of an hour and except for a little slime, there was no fouling on the hull. However, we are dealing with some osmosis that we need to eliminate as well. We would also like to take the opportunity to replace the seal rings on the two drive shafts. All in all, we have a few busy days ahead of us, which, to top it all off, will be quite a strain on the wallet once again. But there's no use complaining, "Wat mut, dat mut", as the North Germans like to say. 

Christmas on the Katinka, Carriacou

To come to terms with the new situation, we first put up our Christmas tree and make it a little Christmassy. The days fly by and the year is already over. We wish you a happy new year and a successful 2022. Stay healthy!