THE REEF

It was a good feeling to be able to relax in the morning, and not have to rush. Late in the morning we collected our documents, and dinghied to the wharf. Of course Christopher spotted us immediately, and came by to chat. Whe we asked him for directions (mistake) for the port, which was in plain view, but entrance seemed blocked from the fish market, which was fenced off. Christopher offered to show us a short cut, which passed through a steep wooded hill, kind of slippery going up. Al was not happy, and made some remarks, but Christopher assured us that it was much shorter than going around the town. Well, I had seen the entrance on the street the day before, on our way back. It would have been easier walking on the street as opposed being alone with a strange man in the wilderness. Oh well, we knew that he was harmless, and he took us to the guard at the entrance to the port. When we explained our business, we were allowed inside, and Christopher still lead the way, and stayed with us when we were talking to the officers. First customs, then immigration. Immigration officer was a nice lady, and chatted with us while Al was filling the form. Apparently she had been to Canada many times, having family and friends in Toronto. Of course she had seen and loved Hamilton as well, on her way to the Niagara area. We were instant friends with so much to talk about!

I was thinking of having lunch at the Reef, but Doyle mentions that it would be closed on Monday nights. So I asked the officer, and she confimed, but indicated that there was another restaurant next door, which would be open.

We set out to the town, and got into a minibus up to the Reef. As we saw some cars parked in its grounds, we decided to check if they were open. Yes, they were. It was a very pleasent setting, just like the tea gardens in Turkey, small wooden tables under the shade of several trees, which were like oversized umbrellas. And the view! It was facing the eastern beach, with a small island close by. The sea was not rough that day, but breezy. The food was not spectacular, but reasonably priced. Overall it was a great experience.

On our way back, we had to walk, while no buses came by, but it was not far from the town. It appears that American medical  universities set up shop in most of the islands. The biggest is in Grenada, St George's Univesity is well known, and its campus resembles the universities we know. The one in Vieux Fort is an apartmentin the middle of the road, not very impressive, but I haven't seen the inside, so no comment. However, in the Carribean when there is an American university, there is an IGA market. It appears that they have to provide some familiar foods for the students. We checked it out too. At least it was cool inside, gave us a breather.
All in all, it was interesting and pleasent  to look around the town, which is very small and sleepy. For  all the major commercial activity that a port and airport would expected to bring to a town that size, it did not look prosperous at all. However, people on the streets were nice and friendly, and the merchants were used to dealing with tourists, but not spoiled by them, i.e every white face was not a dollar sign. So we chatted along and had a good time.

On our way back to the boat, we talked to Ken, who told us that they were coming to Rodney Bay, about the same time as us. We promised to spend some together, and exchanged e mail addresses.