Field Trip to Windward and Beyond

Cargo ship under construction

June 2016
While in Carriacou we decided to go over to the village of Windward on the windward side of Carriacou and see what boats might be under construction. 

Willie checking out the construction

Carriacou has a long, rich history of boat building.

Part of our group gets an update directly from the builder

We mentioned this to a few fellow cruisers and soon we had a Caribbean bus full (mini van).  There was at least one boat under construction, a 60 ft cargo boat.  The same cargo boat that was under construction last year.  Hey, before you roll your eyes and mutter "island time" keep in mind that these boats are constructed by hand out in the open just off the beach.  You try that and see how long it takes you to complete a 60 ft boat.  

Sabrina checking out the inside.

In addition to checking out the boat building in Windward, Tom and I had additional idea for some fun. For instance, like.....catch a water taxi over to the island of Petit Martinique, an island whose colorful past has reported ties to pirates and smuggling.  Given the low prices on rum and beer and the strange abundance of French culinary brands generally found  ONLY in the French islands, well......cough, cough, wink, wink.

Rag tag group -argh

Actually this is specifically how our plan was hatched......
Me = We should go to Windward to see what boats are being built and then go over Petit Martinique and buy some of that good, cheap rum. 
Tom = ok. 
Thirty minutes later......
Me = Of course, we can probably get that rum for the same price in Tyrrel Bay. 
Tom = Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. 
Me = Of course that is not the point.  It's about the adventure.   
Tom = Exactly!

Zoom Zoom

Anyway, while in Windward, Captain Randy of sv Sinbad procured a go fast boat with captain and first mate to take our rag-tag group across to Petit Martinique and back.

Captain go fast and first mate

Thumbs up Captain Paul sv Kelly Nicole

Willie all smiles

We all piled in, instantly grounding the boat. D-oh!  Much pushing, shoving from the dock and water, along with some weight shifting floated us free.  Sheesh.....you would think none of us had been on a boat before!  The captain fired up the big outboard and we took off.  The waters between Carriacou and Petit Martinique are primarily a series of reefs with a few wrecks as reminders of those reefs - local knowledge is a must.  As we sped along through those reefs, cruiser Desmond happened to look over and see another, smaller go fast boat catching up to us.  He casually commented to our captain "Well at least we will come in second."  The captain immediately realized he was in an unofficial race and second was not an option.  He put the hammer down and we all held on for dear life!  It became a very exciting ride.  BTW - it seems that when you put two MALE captains in close proximity on the same body of water, there is suddenly a race - official or not.  Go figure!     

Mark (sv Liahona)  and Diane (sv Endorfin II)

Ric (sv Endorfin II) and Tom

We arrived at Petit Martinique, hair blown straight back, eyes wide open, and laughing at our first place finish!

Colors of Petit Martinique

Solar panels for power on Petit Martinique

We walked around a bit.  Then some opted for beers near the beach.  Others explored more.  Paul and Ric even got involved in a goat rescue, freeing a goat that had gotten tangled up in its tether.  Goat rescue super heroes!  "Hey, why are there white tourist in Mildred's yard messing with her goat?" 

Cheers Captain Paul - Tasty Schaffs

Tom and I went in search of the cheap but good rum we had purchased before.  "We are out.  I will have some tomorrow."  Darn!  Oh well.  It was still a fun expedition.   

Lookout point stop on the way home

The boat ride back wasn't as exciting as there was no other boat to race.  Our bus driver came back for us and offered to drive us all the way back to Tyrrel Bay via a mini island tour - sweet.