St. Thomas
We have been anchored in the bay next to Yacht Haven Grande Marina. There are mega yachts galore down here, the likes of which we don’t normally see stateside! We marvel at them especially the mega sailboats, the boys fantasizing that they will have one of them when they grow up. We all know that that would require a serious job! We found a sailmaker to repair the headsail which had also been damaged, with the miles we have put on the Adamo it is not surprising! He came to the boat, picked up the sail and returned it two days later without receiving payment because we were not aboard when he dropped it off. Wow! He stopped by the next day with our bill. It was beyond reasonable. The ease of this process was unbelievable compared to, for example, picking up our new sail from the shipping company. We were told that the sail would be in St. Thomas on Tuesday. So we thought, “Great, we will sail to St. Croix on Wednesday.” We decided to rent a car with plans to provision from Cost U less, (Sam’s Club equivalent), Home Depot, Ace, Marine Store, etc. That was easier said than done. There were no cars available on the island, but if we came back maybe in the afternoon, they may have one. So we made small talk with the girl in the Avis office and gave her our cell number so she could reach us if the car came in. After lunch we checked back in and asked enough questions to finally discover that a jeep was available. It had been there the entire time! So we immediately took the top off and turned up the island music! We found Tropical Shipping and went to the warehouse to pick up the sail. But, we found out the ship would come in later that day and that we had to clear excise and customs first and then we could pick it up on Thursday. So we picked up the papers at the main shipping office, drove to the customs and excise offices and after a few trips from one to the other for stamps and signatures, we were all set for pick up on Thursday , two days later than expected. Meanwhile, we cruised around the island in our rented jeep with the top down, of course! Whenever we rent a car, it is like a race to get all of our errands done. We are always exhausted by the end of the marathon. We never have enough space in the car or dinghy to transport all that we need to buy, and it is always hot!
Yesterday we had to pull anchor and get water at the marina. The wind was howling and the docks are concrete. This adds a little tension when docking. After filling up our small craft with water while staring at the massive mega yacht with the helicopter on the aft deck, the attendant informed us that we took on 270 gallons of water. We told him that it was impossible. We only hold 180 gallons! So the manager adjusted the price. Can you imagine the mega yachts that don’t know their water capacity?
After filling up we went to pick up our sail. This was a feat all on its own. We dinghied to the side of the harbor where the warehouse is located. It was a very wet ride as the wind was about 25 knots and the waves were rolling in. We walked to the marine store, the hardware store, and McDonalds which was a lot further than we thought. So on the way back we took a dollar taxi to the warehouse while the boys continued on to the marina to get the dinghy and meet us on the pier. The sail was damaged in transport so Mike and I took it to the main office a city block away. After negotiating with the shipping company we left with the sail in hand. My big strong man had to schlep our 70 pound sail to the main road so we could get a taxi. After bargaining a fair taxi rate we went to the pier and Phil was waiting for us in the dinghy. Mission accomplished, it was four o’clock! This is a typical day; everything takes longer to do when you do not have transportation. Despite the many inconveniences though, we always have a fun time!
Today, “no cruise ship Friday,” (cruise ships are here mon.-thurs.) we will get the hardware for the sails, run our final errands and hope that we will be able to sail to St. Croix tomorrow or Sunday.
Other happenings - pictures:
Susan watching dolphins give themselves backrubs up and down our anchor rode. Phil swam with them later.
Our friends on Sierra Hotel.
We have been anchored in the bay next to Yacht Haven Grande Marina. There are mega yachts galore down here, the likes of which we don’t normally see stateside! We marvel at them especially the mega sailboats, the boys fantasizing that they will have one of them when they grow up. We all know that that would require a serious job! We found a sailmaker to repair the headsail which had also been damaged, with the miles we have put on the Adamo it is not surprising! He came to the boat, picked up the sail and returned it two days later without receiving payment because we were not aboard when he dropped it off. Wow! He stopped by the next day with our bill. It was beyond reasonable. The ease of this process was unbelievable compared to, for example, picking up our new sail from the shipping company. We were told that the sail would be in St. Thomas on Tuesday. So we thought, “Great, we will sail to St. Croix on Wednesday.” We decided to rent a car with plans to provision from Cost U less, (Sam’s Club equivalent), Home Depot, Ace, Marine Store, etc. That was easier said than done. There were no cars available on the island, but if we came back maybe in the afternoon, they may have one. So we made small talk with the girl in the Avis office and gave her our cell number so she could reach us if the car came in. After lunch we checked back in and asked enough questions to finally discover that a jeep was available. It had been there the entire time! So we immediately took the top off and turned up the island music! We found Tropical Shipping and went to the warehouse to pick up the sail. But, we found out the ship would come in later that day and that we had to clear excise and customs first and then we could pick it up on Thursday. So we picked up the papers at the main shipping office, drove to the customs and excise offices and after a few trips from one to the other for stamps and signatures, we were all set for pick up on Thursday , two days later than expected. Meanwhile, we cruised around the island in our rented jeep with the top down, of course! Whenever we rent a car, it is like a race to get all of our errands done. We are always exhausted by the end of the marathon. We never have enough space in the car or dinghy to transport all that we need to buy, and it is always hot!
Yesterday we had to pull anchor and get water at the marina. The wind was howling and the docks are concrete. This adds a little tension when docking. After filling up our small craft with water while staring at the massive mega yacht with the helicopter on the aft deck, the attendant informed us that we took on 270 gallons of water. We told him that it was impossible. We only hold 180 gallons! So the manager adjusted the price. Can you imagine the mega yachts that don’t know their water capacity?
After filling up we went to pick up our sail. This was a feat all on its own. We dinghied to the side of the harbor where the warehouse is located. It was a very wet ride as the wind was about 25 knots and the waves were rolling in. We walked to the marine store, the hardware store, and McDonalds which was a lot further than we thought. So on the way back we took a dollar taxi to the warehouse while the boys continued on to the marina to get the dinghy and meet us on the pier. The sail was damaged in transport so Mike and I took it to the main office a city block away. After negotiating with the shipping company we left with the sail in hand. My big strong man had to schlep our 70 pound sail to the main road so we could get a taxi. After bargaining a fair taxi rate we went to the pier and Phil was waiting for us in the dinghy. Mission accomplished, it was four o’clock! This is a typical day; everything takes longer to do when you do not have transportation. Despite the many inconveniences though, we always have a fun time!
Today, “no cruise ship Friday,” (cruise ships are here mon.-thurs.) we will get the hardware for the sails, run our final errands and hope that we will be able to sail to St. Croix tomorrow or Sunday.
Other happenings - pictures:
Susan watching dolphins give themselves backrubs up and down our anchor rode. Phil swam with them later.
The crew sanding down the rails. It’s not all fun and games!
Sahara Desert sand being carried in a pink cloud.
Our friends on Sierra Hotel.
Phil with his beaded hair, two pieces of eight (which he purchased for his necklace with his own money) and a carved gourd he found floating in the bay.
