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 off 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 another 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
http://blog.mailasail.com/ticketeeboo
www.winlink.org/dotnet/maps/positionreportsDetail.aspx?callsign=m0hng
