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Next month we have Carnival on Carriacou and the Blues Festival on Mustique continues through 10 February.
The weather is postcard perfect and I look forward to seeing what February 1999 brings.
A simply gorgeous day with sunny, blue skies, a few, white puffy clouds. Nice wind.
22 January 1999 - Friday High Temperature 87ºF- Low Temperature 77ºF
A young man from Petite Martinique was in to prepare visa documents for an Easter visit to the USA. A group from England sailing south to South America from Barbados were in to check their RocketMail and HotMail. The 2nd Mate from the S/V Yankee Clipper, Ricardo, was in to check his Hotmail while waiting for Carriacou Immigration to clear-in his 64 passengers visiting Carriacou for a few hours. A group from the States sailing north stopped by to check their AOL mail. A couple from Italy Sailing The Grenadines were in to do an AOL Flash Session. A man with his young son from The Netherlands was in to check his Hotmail.
I printed more flyers for the Twilight Restaurant and Bar on Tyrell Bay. I printed some photos of ice cream dishes for the Bardoni Bros. Ice Cream Parlor on Tyrrel Bay and made new business cards for a local man starting a construction business.
21 January 1999 - Thursday High Temperature 87ºF- Low Temperature 77ºF
Has it really been so long since my last diary entry? If I EVER hear anyone complain that "There's nothing to do on Carriacou." I will just spit! Over the past few days Carriacou tourists had a chance to attend outdoor rallies and hear political candidates speak and answer questions, ride on the back of flat-bed trucks with locals of all ages and enjoy the fun, get free drinks and food that was made available to one and all, socialize and discuss current events with the locals who took the election very seriously. The current Prime Minister Dr. Keith C. Mitchell saw his New National Party (NNP) sweep all 15 parliamentary seats. I can't remember when all seats were last in the hands of a single party in this country. There is widespread feelings of unity and hope for the future.
Good luck and God speed, Mr. Prime Minister!
People from England, from Finland, and Jean-Michel & Elisabeth from S/Y Kyrimba surfed the world wide web and handled their e-mail. I printed 200 Crew Lists for the Carriacou Immigration Office who tell me that yaching is holding strong in Carriacou as evidenced by statistics on arriving boats and vessels. I printed some church pledge cards for a local church. Godwin was in to collect some Jack Iron labels for the local brew bottled at After Ours in Harvey Vale. Patrick from the French Restaurant was in looking for his wife Magaly. Tom from Tom's Backpacker's Retreat was in to chat as did Larry Hambleton. Larry is recovering nicely from his fall down the drain alongside a street here in Hillsborough a week ago. Larry seems to think he crackedor broke a few ribs. But with Connie's cooking and rest and relaxation, Larry's out and about again and can be seen carrying provisions in his backpack as he walks home from town. Seems like this open water drainage culvert around the corner from Francis Brinkley's house next to The Hillsborough Bar is deep enough to catch people perhaps staggering home from having had a taste or two of the "Demon Rum" or otherwise not watching where they're walking.
The weather truly has been simply gorgeous over the past week or so. And the wind is steady and ohhhhh soooooo refreshing. Perhaps we have now actually started our Dry Season that is a few months late this year. Reports from the fishermen and divers also tell of the underwater visability getting back to its usual endless nature. The rains and the storms had the effect of sirring-up the water down below but that Grenadine crystal clarity is coming back.
16-17 January 1999 - Weekend High Temperature 87ºF- Low Temperature 77ºF
The State of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique has a parliamentary election tommorow and will decide on its Prime Minister and Members of Parliament. Today the streets of Hillsborough were the site of motorcades blasting music from the back of flat-bed trucks leading vehicles of every description plastered with VOTE FOR placards and filled with supporters clad in each political party's slogan.
15 January 1999 - Friday High Temperature 87ºF- Low Temperature 77ºF
A simply gorgeous day with sunny, blue skies. Nice wind.
A local man was in to laminate his fishing license. Kate was in from Roundhouse Cottages to send e-mail. Captain Philippe of S/Y Tatoosh was in to summarize his last charter. Ivan Godfrey was in to chat and surf the net. A lady from Italy was in to connect her laptop for an AOL Flash Session and make a few telephone calls. Captain John Smith of the Mermaid of Carriacou was in to answer his e-mail. S/V Yankee Clipper 2nd Mate Ricardo was in to set-up a new Hotmail account and send some messages. Robertina from Tyrrel Bay's Old Rum Shop was in for more flyers and a new menu.
14 January 1999 - Thursday High Temperature 87ºF- Low Temperature 77ºF
Jean-Michel & Elisabeth from S/Y Kyrimba checked their Hotmail and surfed the world wide web. Captain John Smith of the Mermaid of Carriacou was in to answer his e-mail. Captain Brian from S/Y Cinderella was in to print more business cards. Lesley from The Studio stopped by to chat. Elsa was in to say goodbye until next year as her Carriacou vacation comes to an end and she departs for Denmark tommorow. A couple from England were in to check their Yahoo Mail. A couple from Germany spending a month at Bayaleau Point Cottages was in to send e-mail. A man from France was in to send e-mail.
13 January 1999 - Wednesday High Temperature 87ºF- Low Temperature 77ºF
A man from Sweden was in to check his Netscape Mail. They have been Sailing The Grenadines and will overnight on Carriacou before heading south to Trinidad to catch their flight back to a frozen Sweden. A local man was in to request information for printing wedding accouncements. Troy from Tyrrel Bay's Twilight Bar & Restaurant was in to print more flyers. Another man from Sweden was in to check his Hotmail.
Captain John Smith of the Mermaid of Carriacou was in to answer his e-mail. Francis John was in to print letterhead and business cards for his construction NEW AGE business. Norbert Allert was in to print business cards for his taxi. I helped a woman visiting from Germany set-up and get connected to the local ISP from her laptop using Outlook Express.
12 January 1999 - Tuesday High Temperature 85ºF- Low Temperature 75ºF
A couple from England building a home on Carriacou were in to check their Hotmail and use the computer to type an insurance letter. A young couple from France sailing north in The Grenadines as crew aboard S/Y Lapalaton were in to check their AOL mail. They also worked on my French language homepage.
Captain Brian and first mate Gillian of S/Y Blue Monsoon stopped by to print a drinks price list for their yacht charter business.
I printed 500 more Jack Iron labels for M. Matheson, business cards for Captain Alton of S/Y Aquarius, a visa letter for a young local woman, and a new menu and business cards for Lambi Queen Bar & Restaurant and Bird's Nest Charters.
S/Y Drôle d'oiseau and S/Y Tatoosh complete their current charter in St. Vincent today and will again be available for Sailing The Grenadines starting 16JAN99.
11 January 1999 - Monday High Temperature 85ºF- Low Temperature 75ºF
The Bequia Sailing Club has a new e-mail address. Contact them at bsc@caribsurf.com
Captain John Smith sailed back to Carriacou aboard his Mermaid of Carriacou to reply to his e-mail. He has been out sailing and was heading toward Dominica but the winds were too much for his guest from Germany and they turned tail and returned to Carriacou. John also up-dated his homepage as follows: I have no engine and no internal toilet but dry berths and one fine classic sailing ship. My 79 year old mother complained only about my cooking and advised that I acquire one of those teak seats for my bucket en la foc'sle. In other words if you like 'sail boats' and sailing... ok. I have just returned from a 5 day 400 mile offshore "cruise" with a German Chap who wanted to see the sea. Well it was blowing 35 knots with 12 foot seas just west of Dominica when the fella had had enough and we shooshed down the chain to Carriacou on a broad reach hitting 11.3 knots under a triple reefed main and a # 4 jib. A remarkably wonderful sail, but not for the timid.
As per provisioning: my on board baked bread is superlative and after cruising in central America for many years I am able to make beans in 16 different ways. I grow yoghurt daily and eat fish fresh. The ship supplies the stove, beans, water and of course all U.S. Certified safety equipment as well as all fishing gear and bait. If it is too rough to troll for a tuna, pan-fried, fresh snapper caught from the Quarter-Deck is not half bad.
If you're interested, please let me know your arrival date and departure date and let me know which island you will be flying into. We can work out the details.
A lady from Denmark vacationing on Carriacou was in to send e-mail and check her Hotmail. A couple from Italy came next to connect their laptop for an AOL flash session. On their sail up from Grenada last night aboard their own yacht they had engine trouble around Kickem' Jenny. They'll try to repair the engine here on Carriacou before continuing their Sail in The Grenadines. A man from Germany was in to buy a few Mermaid of Carriacou greeting cards. A man from Washington, D.C. stopped by to check his Hotbot mail.
Views out the window...Bicycling Down Main Street, Hillsborough
On such a weather perfect day like today, the tourists are renting bicycles and as I sit in the window, I see them coming down the street. The street is one-way heading toward the airport and the bicycles are side-by-side with no cars in front nor any behind. The people chat back-and-forth as if on an old country road except that this is Main Street, Hillsborough at 2:00pm. Along the sidewalk stroll a couple here; another there. If this is our High Tourist Season, then come visit us this Summer when Carriacou relaxes.... yes, even more than now! Small pick-up trucks pass slowly by loaded with people piled into the back smiling and shouting greetings to friends along the way. Shops open at 8:00 and close at 4:00. It is now just 4:06 and I can see a total of three parked cars. Carriacou's only Town has completed its daily transformation and has now returned to a quiet village until tommorow morning. Kaiso's Shop's caretaker sits outside the front door. A young boy is filling water into a large white bucket from a pipe sticking-up from the sidewalk next to Mary Lou's house, across the street from Dollarman's Shop. Mary Lou is from Hull, Massachusetts and waits out the Boston Winter each year from her house on the beach here on Carriacou until Easter. There's still a little activity down the street at the Jetty. People catching their min-van buses home. Cuthbert Snagg has built a beachbar at his place also opposite Dollarman. On the beach under a framed room covered with blue plastic and coconut fronds. Sand under your feet. Benches to sit on. A couple tables. And a bar with a monsterous glass bottle from which Snagg will pour you a nice rum punch. Soothing music. Now THIS is what people come to the islands to enjoy. When in Hillsborough, look for Snaggs behind the water tank opposite Dollarman. You can also rent bicycles for less than US$15 for the whole day and water toys or arrange a drop-off on nearby Sandy Island. Connie & Larry are saying they'll run the bar a couple nights a week so look-out for some of Connie's wonderful home cookin' on the beach. Ah... another day in paradise.
10 January 1999 - Sunday High Temperature 86ºF- Low Temperature 75ºF
Light, scattered rain showers over the night then a simply gorgeous day with sunny, blue skies. Nice wind.
Alain and Dominique of S/Y Barbarella are in Caracas, Venezuela from 12JAN99 to 23MAR99. They will return to The Grenadines beginning April.
9 January 1999 - Saturday High Temperature 85ºF- Low Temperature 75ºF
Light, scattered rain showers over the night then a simply gorgeous day with sunny, blue skies.
I printed more Crew Lists for the Carriacou Immigration Office. A student from one of the local schools stopped by to gather research on the internet for a school project on capital punishment. Another student who teaches computers on nearby Petite Martinique surfed the net for awhile and hopes to be getting his own computer soon. I printed business cards for Ade's Dream Apartment Hotel.
Tom from Tom's Backpackers' Retreat was in to chat. We made a few edits to his homepage.
8 January 1999 - Friday High Temperature 85ºF- Low Temperature 75ºF
I set-up a new internet connection today at Paddy's Enterprises and Hardware. Paddy's business focuses on importing building supplies, household goods and hardware to Carriacou.
7 January 1999 - Thursday High Temperature 85ºF- Low Temperature 75ºF
Light, scattered rain showers over the night then a simply gorgeous day with sunny, blue skies... until after dark then again scattered rain. Nice wind.
Read the comments from a recent Yacht Charter aboard S/Y Drôle d'oiseau.
Georg Schmitt was in to check on responses for his Used Yacht for Sale.
Captain Phillipe of S/Y Tatoosh was in to check on up-coming charters and make final arrangements for his charter which begins tommorow.
Maria was in to check on responses for her Used Motor Vessel for Sale.
I printed some more flyers for Lesley and Lee's Studio located on Harvey Vale.
A member of The Originals Steel Pan Orchestra stopped by from Union Island to have more music cassette jackets printed.
Magaly from the French Restaurant Poivre et Sel on Tyrrel Bay stopped by.
Two gentlemen from England stopped by to check their e-mail as they Sail The Grenadines.
The Carriacou Immigration Office called to have more crew lists printed.
6 January 1999 - Wednesday High Temperature 85ºF- Low Temperature 75ºF
Jean-Michel & Elisabeth from S/Y Kyrimba checked their e-mail, sent faxes and surfed the world wide web.
A couple from France sailing the Grenadines stopped by to check their e-mail.
The Swedish lady who owns the Carriacou Boat Yard stopped by to talk and up-date each other on our respective comings and goings. She has an Apple Computer and needs help getting it set-up for internet access. If anyone has experience on such matters and can help or give advice, please call "Gitta" at (1 473) 443-7542 tel/fax or send me an e-mail.
A lady from Denmark vacationing on Carriacou checked her Hotmail account and was soon followed by a young man from Rhode Island crusing The Grenadines on a sailing vessel.
Tom from Tom's Backpackers' Retreat was in to chat. He has a new digital camera and we talked about it for awhile.
Chris, the bartender, and Eric, the dive instructor from the S/V Atlantis were in to check their e-mail. Atlantis sails from St. Lucia down to Grenada on 2-week excursions visiting St. Vincent, Bequia, Mayreau and The Tobago Cays, Union Island and Carriacou. This vessel carries a maximum of 56 passengers with 13 crew members.
Elvis stopped by to print some letterhead for his ironwork business.
5 January 1999 - Tuesday High Temperature 85ºF- Low Temperature 75ºF
Heavy rains over the night and into the early morning hours. - a simply gorgeous day with sunny, blue skies. Nice wind.
Another busy day at John's Print Shop and Grenadines.net A group of Frenchmen sailing The Grenadines dropped in to check their e-mail. They bought some greeting cards from the Bill Boersma, Christian Egemar and Canute Calliste Collections and had some custom Crew List Forms printed for their yacht.
A young man from Manchester England surfed the net for awhile.
Captain Thomas from S/Y Leona stopped by with his 30-day charter guests from Denmark. While they surfed the net and checked their Hotmail, I printed more custom Crew List Forms for his yacht as he and his guests sail north thru The Grenadines, past St. Lucia, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and on to Dominica.
Patrick from the French Restaurant Poivre et Sel on Tyrrel Bay stopped by to order more billbooks and covers for his menu.
Captain Phillipe from S/Y Tatoosh was in to prepare for a 6 six day charter for six passengers departing this coming Friday from Carriacou and ending on St. Vincent. People flying in from all over the world to rondesvouz aboard his yacht and Eric's catamaran S/Y Drôle d'oiseau The two vessels will sail together allowing the passengers the option of both a fast racer (Tatoosh) and a shallow-draft trimaran able to safely anchor "on the beach." Phillipe & Eric and their yachts will again available for charter starting 16JAN99
A young lady from Harvey Vale was in to print invitations for her up-coming birthday party. She is one of twins and has another set of twin sisters younger than herself. The invitation reads: Come Celebrate with the gorgeous twins as we celebrate our birthday on 22 January 1999 at the OLD RUM SHOP Time: 7:00 p.m.
The 1st and 2nd Mates for the S/V Mandalay were in again to catch-up on their e-mail, check the weather, and relax before heading north to Antigua on their 2-week passage from Grenada-Antigua. This vessel goes back and forth on this route at this time of year and can carry 72 passengers with a crew of 35-40.
Queen of the fleet, this 236 foot barquentine was built in 1923 for financier E.F. Hutton and christened HUSSAR. In the 1930's she was sold to shipping magnate George Vettlesen who re-christened her VEMA. Later she was put into service by Colombia University sailing over 1 1/4 million miles worldwide. Evidence gathered on her voyages confirmed the theory of the continental drift. Joining the fleet in 1982, MANDALAY went through an extensive renovation. She is now unparalleled, offering the ultimate in comfort and style.
Christine was in to print more business cards for her credit union.
Why one should driveslowlydown Hillsborough's Back Street... 'cause the mother chicken and her trailing chicks have little feet; 'cause my cat Buster might cross the road chasing his neighbor friend; 'cause the dogs sometimes forget to look both ways; 'cause on a tiny island people share; and 'cause it's the right thing to do.
4 January 1999 - Monday High Temperature 85ºF- Low Temperature 75ºF
Heavy rains over the night - a simply gorgeous day with sunny, blue skies. Nice wind.
The first office day in the New Year was a busy one! A young couple from Denmark stopped by. They have just started a 30-day charter aboard S/Y Leona. Captain Thomas' yacht is again available for charter on 5FEB99. They checked their Hotmail and then made use of my Net2Phone to call home and report that all is well.
A man from Sweden was in to make use of a computer to type a business report that he then e-mailed home.
Jean-Michel & Elisabeth from S/Y Kyrimba checked their e-mail and surfed the world wide web.
A couple from England building a house on Carriacou checked their Hotmail.
A man staying at Silver Beach was in to send a fax to England; a man from Germany checked into a catamaran he's considering buying in Canada off the web.
I printed more flyers for the Lambi Queen Restaurant and Bar located on Tyrrel Bay, Carriacou.
I printed more music cassette jackets for the Carriacou Parang Committee's 1998 music cassettes.
Captain Eric from S/Y Drôle d'oiseau came by to report on the charter just completed for a young couple from the States with two small children, ages 3 and 7. After their start on Carriacou, they spent seven days Sailing The Grenadines visiting Union Island's Chatham Bay, Mayreau's Saline Bay, Tobago Cays, Palm Island, Petit St. Vincent and Carriacou. Eric reports that the couple commented: "The best vacation they have EVER had!" Eric's next charter departs on 8JAN99 and his yacht is again available for charter on 16JAN99. Contact Eric:
Canouan's Tamarind Beach Hotel & Yacht Club
3 January 1999 - Sunday High Temperature 85ºF- Low Temperature 75ºF
Cruise Ships visiting Carriacou Club Med 1 Capacity 376 passengers: Nov. 2 to Feb. 22 Seven-night cruises departing on Saturday from Martinique Mayan Prince Capacity 90 passengers: Feb. 17 Eleven-night voyage from St.Lucia to Trinidad Sea Cloud Capacity 68 passengers: Jan. 23 and Feb. 6 and 27 Seven-night cruises from Antigua Yankee Clipper Capacity 64 passengers: three-mast racing yacht: Year round Five-night cruises departing on Monday from Grenada Grande Mariner Capacity 100 passengers: on Jan. 29, from Antigua to Grenada Le Levant Capacity 90 passengers: Dec. 19 to Feb. 27 Seven-night cruises from Martinique Sea Goddess I Capacity 116 passengers: 9 to Feb. 27 Seven-night cruises from St. Thomas or Barbados Niagara Prince Capacity 99 passengers: Eleven-night voyage from Antigua to Grenada Wind Star Capacity 148 passengers: March 9 and 23 departing from Barbados Star Clipper Capacity 170 passengers: Year-round-Seven-night cruises departing on Saturday from Barbados
Crew of the S/V Mandalay
2 January 1999 - Saturday High Temperature 85ºF- Low Temperature 75ºF
Heavy rains over the night and scattered rain showers throughout the morning, then... a simply gorgeous afternoon with sunny, blue skies. Nice wind.
A man from Sweden and a man from Denmark stopped by to check their e-mail. I printed business cards for a man from Windward, trained in Canada, who does construction and for a bus driver.
The Sailing The Grenadines On-Line Reservation Form is up and running.
Our Grenadines.net On-Line Reservation Form is up and running.
On-Line Reservation Forms for Carriacou's Roundhouse and Bayaleau Point Cottages are up and running.
On-Line Reservation Form for Bequia's Village Apartments is up and running.
Captain Thomas from S/Y Leona is on a 30-day charter with a couple from Denmark. His yacht is again available for charter on 5FEB99.
Captain Eric from S/Y Drôle d'oiseau is out on charter with a family from the States. His yacht is again available for charter on 14JAN99.
Grenadines.net visitors spent 297 nights in The Grenadines during 1998. We have made arrangements for an additional 124 nights so far for just the month of January 1999! On behalf of The Grenadines.net Team, "Thanks for your confidence."
1 January 1999 - Friday High Temperature 85ºF- Low Temperature 75ºF
Scattered rain showers, sunny, blue skies, with a few puffy white clouds. Nice wind.
On Carriacou, New Year's Day means climbing into the back of a flat-bed truck before dawn and then setting-out from Hillsborough to motorcade around the length and breath of the island singing, beating on drums, clanging metal together, and making just about as much noise that is humanly possible. The boom-boom boxes are aboard and local Dj KIM-D-KING's voice broadcasts through walls and windows awaking any poor soul trying to sleep. Since most of the partyers have been up all night bringing in the New Year, after the motocade returns to Hillsborough, the people return to their home for a much needed rest.
Views out the window... of Sandy Island Come Visit Us!
Read John's On-Line Diary for December 1998 Read John's On-Line Diary for November 1998
(c) 1998, 99 The Carriacou Caribbean Connection. All rights reserved.Disclaimer
