A Grenadian Holiday

We enjoyed another wonderful holiday season in Grenada.

A walk around Prickly Bay showed homes displaying their Christmas decorations. 

Bruce and Gina showed their holiday spirit.  They are on the Australian catamaran "Wyuna."

Christmas day was spent with good friends John and Linda aboard "Kool Kat."  

We started with mimosas, bloody mary's and appetizers and just continued eating and drinking our way through the day.  There was lobster and ham, countless side-dishes and a banana-rum cake for dessert.

It was a feast!

Gina (Wyuna), our host John and Joe (Half Moon) take a break from the feasting.

That's Bruce (Wyuna) with Gina and John.

Jim and Becky (Half Moon).

The festivities continued on Boxing Day with the 5th Annual Cruiser's Pot Luck and Music Jam.

Linda and I did the organizing again this year and this is us thanking everyone who participated.

We had a great crowd and a very talented group of musicians.  Special thanks to all the cruisers who shared their talents with us.  It was a great day.

New Year's Eve or as it's called here, Old Year's Night.

Rikky at De Big Fish always throws a great party.

 Here we are with our friends...........

 Hope and Steve (Starshine).......

 Linda and John (Kool Kat).........

 and Joe and Becky (Half Moon).

Thanks to our hosts Kim, Rikky and their staff.  They treat us like family.

Surrounding Christmas and New Years were many fun events like concerts, pot lucks, dinner with friends and more.  Hope your holiday was equally as wonderful!

Merry Christmas

 

Have a wonderful holiday everyone!



Christmas Sorrel

A holiday tradition in the islands is to make a drink called sorrel from the plant with the same name.  We asked the advice of one of the market ladies who gave us this "recipe".



 "You take 'bout a pound of sorrel, put it in a big pot and cover with de water.  Add cinnamon, ginger, bay leaves and a little sugar."  I asked how much ginger she would recommend?  "Bout a tum" as she held up her thumb to show the size.  "You boil it and then cover de pot and let sit 'til next day." 

Strain, adjust sugar if needed, add some rum and bottle.  Delicious!

 You cut the seed out and just use the flower, which emits the flavor as well as a beautiful red color, the perfect Christmas drink.

Cheers!



Curry, Curry, Curry



 

We had such a wonderful day on Sunday!

We went with friends to the home of their friends high on a hilltop overlooking Grand Anse Beach.





 

 The home is called "Inside Out' and it is the perfect Caribbean home.

 

On the left is Ellen and Stewart's home, Brit's who have lived in Grenada for about 7 years.  The pool and patio is in the center and the guest cottage is to the right.  Everything is just the right size.  Perfect pool, living space with dining inside or out and a kitchen built for a chef.  Jim had some serious envy going on when he saw Ellen's kitchen complete with a restaurant-size stove, or cooker as they call it.

Here's a view of the guest cottage which they do rent when family or friends aren't visiting.

You can see more at www.grenadainsideout.com



 

Relaxing pool-side with Steve and Hope of S/V Starshine (left and center) and new friends Walter and Joanne (right) who are professors at the university.

 This was one of those special days in a beautiful setting.  I wish I had some pictures of the curry dinner that Ellen prepared but as usual our hands and mouths were full.  But I'll give you a little taste this way:

The starters were piri-piri shrimp and roti.

The main course was curries of goat, chicken and fish.   These were made with pan roasted and freshly ground spices. There were also a couple of vegetable curries - Aloo Palak (spinach and potato) and Dhal (lentil).  Basmati Rice infused with saffron stamens and cardamon was served with the dishes along with a raita and home-made Lime Pickle as well as home-made hot pepper jam.

Dessert was Kulfi or Panna Cotta.  Spectacular!

 

 

To cap off the evening, this view from our dining table.  Thank you to Ellen and Stewart for a memorable day.

 

 

A Day in the Life

Jim's been feeling like everything on the boat is broken.

He found putting this video together cathartic.

Click on the link below to view.  Misery loves company!

https://vimeo.com/54879416

Jim's 2013 Calendar

Due to popular demand, (yes, we have been getting requests) Jim has put together a new calendar.  This will be his 3rd calendar and we appreciate hearing from all of you who have enjoyed seeing his beautiful photographs hanging on your wall.  Remember, calendars make a great gift!

The 2013 Boats and Beaches calendar is available at http://www.cafepress.com/Merengue.
Please note: there is a change to how Cafe press processes orders.  The form will ask you what month you want the calendar to begin.  If you don't select January, they will print it beginning with the current month and your calendar won't go through 2013.  Sorry, but they gave the option to the customer, not the photographer.

Christmas cards were also popular so this year there are 2 to choose from.

Hope you enjoy this year's images!

Welcome Home!

Welcome Home!

That's what the friendly man in Immigration said after clearing us into Grenada.

How did he know we weren't tourists here for vacation? 

Was it the numerous Grenada stamps in our passports?

Is it possible that he recognized us?

Perhaps it was the big smiles on our faces.





Merengue was waiting in Prickly Bay.

Home Sweet Home!