Just finished a great sail in SVG and GND with Capt Rick aboard Sophisticated Lady. Sailed one way from St Vincent to Grenada on a broad reach with 15 to 25 kts the entire cruise. Details to follow but here are some highlights.

Day 1 (DCA – SVG) - Flew USAir to SJU then Liat to SVG. Luggage was checked all the way through and we ended up short one bag (my wife’s) upon arrival SVG. Liat said check back tomorrow. Overnight at Mariner Hotel on water across from Young Island.

Day 2 (Blue Lagoon – Bequia) – Provisioning at CK Greaves near airport. Rick had boat docked at Sun Sail. Capt Rick was moving slow…recovering from a little fever. Off dock by 11am. No missing luggage yet. Quick two-hour sail to get our feet wet. Grabbed mooring ball near Dive Bequia. Dinner on-board.

Day 3 (Bequia) – Explored Port Elisabeth shops, markets, bars. Liat delivers missing luggage to Bequia on 2pm ferry. Great dinner at Frangipani.

Day 4 (Bequia – Mayreau) - Last minute shopping then off mooring 10am headed for Salt Whistle Bay. Quick stop for Moon Hole for pics. Grabbed a great spot on left side of Salt Whistle. Only six boats in harbor. Dinner on-board.

Day 5 (Mayreau – Tobago Cays) – Lazy morning. Snorkel and explore. Was going to head up the hill, but mosquitoes on shore were thick. Twelve boats were now in harbor and getting crowded. Headed for the cays. Dropped hook near beach on north side of Bateau. Watched group do beach BBQ. Lots of bug spray in use so we decided against. Dinner aboard.

Day 6 (Tobago Cays) – Motored around to west side of Baradal. Winds were piping up so we grabbed a ball. Lots of turtles, great snorkeling. Dinner on-board.

Day 7 (Cays – Union) - Short motor sail to Union. Great anchorage near Happy Island. Cocktails at Happy Island and Anchorage Yacht Club. Great Dinner at Bougainvilla.

Day 8 (Union – Tyrell Bay) – Re-Provisioning in Clifton was great. Lots of options. Clear customs at airport. Nice sail down to Tyrell bay, Carricaou from Union. Lunch/snorkel stop at Sandy Island in Hillsborough Bay. Drop hook in very crowded Tyrell Bay. Sampled local oysters. Dinner aboard.

Day 9 (Tyrell Bay to Clarks Court, Grenada) – Early departure for long sail to Grenada. Slow start but wind and squalls pick up the further south we get. Stayed west of Kick-em Jenny. Up wind run around Point Saline to Clarks Court. Docked at marina. Dinner is burger night at Clarks Court Marina. Cheese burger in paradise! Last night on-board.

Day 10 (True Blue Bay Resort) – Packed up and head for customs at Prickly Bay around 11 am. Taxi to True Blue and check in. What a beautiful place. Hang out at waterside bar till rooms are ready. Everything including A/C was better than expected. Made reservations at Red Crab for dinner but they were closed. Off to Coconut Beach on Grand Anse Bay instead. Great choise, food and beach location.

Day 11 (Explore Grenada) – Taxi tour of St. Georges, Rain Forest, Crater Lake, Rum distillery and the beautifully rugged east coast road. Back to True Blue just in time for Happy Hour and Mexican Night for dinner at True Blue.

Day 12 (GND – DCA) - 11am Liat flight back home via Barbados. Had to clear into and out of Barbados. Kind of a pain, but I do have stamps on my passport to prove I was there for two hours. No Camo allowed! Cleared customs on return trip in the quite little airport in Charlotte, NC…..NOT! What a mess! Home at 1am.

More details to follow.

Chuck.