We've decided to skip Venezuela and its environs this year. There have simply been too many instances of violence and piracy in those waters for us to take the risk of going in that direction. If it is safer next summer, maybe we will go that direction. For now, we feel more like spending more quality time in the Leeward and Windward Islands, where we know we are welcome.
In addition, Bonaire was hit hard by hurricanes this summer. We had thought we would go there after stopping in Venezuela for fuel. Though it is a world-class diving destination, we have heard reports that the reefs suffered significant damage, and may take a season to recover from the inundation of silt and sand. The island's infrastructure was heavily damaged by wind and storm surge. Bonaire is a relatively low-lying island, unlike many of the windward and leeward islands. Beachside piers, tiki bars, restaurants and dive shops simply disappeared.
Immigration cleared us to leave today around 3:00pm, and we now have 24 hours to leave Trini waters. We have to do some last-minute shopping for provisions in the morning. So, we expect to clear customs tomorrow by 2:00pm. After that, we hit the duty-free shop for beer, wine, and liquor, load the scooters, and off we go...
It is about a 15 hour voyage to St. Georges Bay, Grenada. We will be travelling overnight so as to arrive in daylight Thanksgiving Day. It is an observed Holiday in Grenada, so we don't expect to see many shops or restaraunts open in St. George, but maybe we'll be surprised. I just hope customs and immigration is on duty!
We've been here in Trinidad since July 11th, and the official end of hurricane season is November 30. We've made a lot of friends here, and so we will probably return to Chaguaramas in August next year to spend another hurricane season. The boat really likes it here. She feels safe and there are plenty of skilled workmen around to help care for her. The list of repairs, improvements and upgrades we've accomplished while here is really quite long, and I won't bore you with it. Suffice it to say that KINGDOM is in great shape and ready for the 2008/2009 Caribbean cruising season!
I'm not exactly sure how long it will be until we will have internet service again - maybe in St. Vincent - for sure in St. Lucia. In the meantime, don't worry about us, we're just on the move!
We love you all, and truly enjoy receiving your comments and emails.
Walt and Susan
1 comment:
Hi, I do have to rebut your comments about Bonaire.....Living here I think gives me a good point of perspective.
First of all, we didn't get hit by any hurricanes, least of all in the summer. This past October, Tropical Storm Omar passed 125 miles north of us, and, after passing, became a forceful hurricane before hitting the windward islands.
We did experience storm surge and a some rain.....wind was minimal. Debris was distributed on oceanside roads from the surge, but was cleared off within one day. One small area of the oceanside road will need repair and remains closed. Most dive shops' docks only lost planking and were back in business in one day. A few did sustain some additional damage, and will take a bit longer to repair, but saying that the entire island's infrastructure was heavily damaged simply isn't true.
As far as the reefs, yes there was siltation, but it is mostly gone at this point, thanks in part to coral's ability to cleanse itself, the help of currents, and of course, Bonaire's divers, who are helping to clean other marine organisms such as sponges. I've been in the water several times since Omar, and the reefs are not looking bad.
Just thought you may be interested in the real story by a local.
Thanks for listening.
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