Carricou is the second of three islands in the country of Grenada. The third and smallest island in the group is Petit Martinique. We left St. George's harbour to cruise north. We started fishing as we left the harbour and caught a small yellowfin Tuna.
We arrived a Tyrell Bay about 4 pm. This is a deep protected bay with white sandy beaches. It is a favourite anchorage and there are many yachts here.
We launch the tender to explore the bay and surrounding area, to the south. Then, try our hand at fishing before the sun goes down. No luck.
We have a beautiful dinner including fresh tuna sashimi. We then watch the excellent long film 'Django unchained'.
Saturday morning MB and Paul try their hand at fishing. We reach the drop off 60 metres deep to 300 metres. We find a couple of locals also trolling. Bingo!, a 15 kilo Wahoo. There is no gaff so Paul pulls it in by hand, by the tail.
After breakfast Janet and MB decide to walk to Hillsborough, which MB suggests is about two kilometres. But no, it is about 9 Kms. It is hot and sweaty but colourful. We get a bus for the last 2 Kms. All the way on the walk we have passed fresh fruit and veggie stalls. The people are very friendly.
Hillsborough is a funny little town. Lots of bars and cafes but no one seems to be around. It is a bit scruffy with no decent shops but quaint and colourful. We visit the small museum which displays an interesting array of 'Carib' artefacts, plus displays of African heritage and the colonial era.
We find out about church on Sunday. We are told it will start at 8.30 am celebrating Palm Sunday with a street parade.
Back on BP we buy five crayfish from the locals which weigh a total of 5 kilos and cost $100 US, great value.
That evening we take Janet for a troll. We hook a good size Mahi Mahi but somehow it snaps the line and escapes. We get two more hook ups but no wins tonight. We then have a great BBQ of Wahoo and Crayfish.
Sunday morning. It is our wedding anniversary the 24 th March. We assemble in Hillsborough main square collect our palms and wait for the locals to start the blessing and parade. It is a combined Catholic and Anglican gathering. The ceremony does not start until 9.15 with a blessing of the palms and then a parade around the streets with singing followed by mass. By the time we finish it is well after 11am.
After brunch we have a snorkel on a reef at sandy island. According to the cruising guide it is the best reef in the Caribbean. What a disappointment. Almost no coral and few fish. The highlight is a massive bait ball of whitebait, the biggest we have seen.
We have decided to stay here the night as the wind has become stronger. Janet and MB take to the kitchen to make fresh ravioli with crayfish porcini mushrooms and thyme. The leftover mix we make crayfish balls using oat bran and local hot chilli sauce.
We watch a great movie 'The
Impossible' about the tsunami in Thailand. It was a very moving great film.
JB and Mick