Monday, June 29, 2020

St. George’s, Grenada
12.02.608 N
61.44.986 W

Corona Extra:  Sounds like a spoiler for 2021!

Today was well and truly busy as we were checking out of WuFlu Jail!  We were all up and moving by 7:30 am.  By 8:15 we lowered the dink and went in to the Quarantine dock for our 9am testing.  We weren’t the first ones there.  In fact, it looked like a race after 8:30 of everyone racing to “get out of jail”. 

First Line

It was an orderly set up.  First, we lined up on the dock.  The first tent was where we were checked in.  Next, we approached the tent where the tests were actually conducted.  We signed a book and the nurse opened the envelope that contained what looked like a short pregnancy stick.  Dale was first, Savannah was next, then me.  Papa tried to show Savannah how it was going to go but she still let out a yell and whimpered for a good 5 minutes

This is how its done!

after the finger stick.  More theatrics than actual pain I’d say.  It took 15 minutes for it to finish but, obviously, we were all negative.  In fact, as of today, they had tested over 330 boats with only a handful who had a false positive on the rapid test and no boater has tested positive even with the longer test.  We were handed the envelopes that had originally contained the test stick with our names and “neg” written on the outside and sent to the next tent where we exchanged our test envelopes and temporary health certificate for entry into the quarantine anchorage for a “real” health certificate declaring everyone on our boat free from infection.  Our get out of jail card.  Next was an area where 2 welcoming cruisers offered maps, hand sanitizer, and all sorts of information for Grenada as a whole.  Finally, we were directed to the little white house that housed the Customs and Immigration people.  I had printed out the forms we had to submit to get a spot in the Quarantine area with our passports and money, so Dale volunteered me to stand in line and be “captain” for the day.  He and Savannah took the time to go check us into the marina and get the layout of where we had to go.  I had just made it up to the window when Gerry left Nicky to stand in line and he went to check Opal into the marina. 

Our Get Our of Jail Cards!

Dale got back before Gerry with the news that the airport, which had been scheduled to open on the 1^st of July, was now not opening until the 1^st of August.  That definitely puts a spin on getting Savannah back well in time for school; we have a month to figure out something.  Apparently, when Gerry checked in, he was told that he didn’t have to check into Customs and Immigration immediately but could actually bring the boat into the marina and then check in.  So, he grabbed Nicky and we all walked back to our dinghies and back to our respective boats.

We made our way back to the Palace, hoisted the dinghy back into the davits and set about getting ready to retrieve the anchor.  It came up without a problem.  Although, Dale did have to stop a couple of times and spread out the chain in the anchor locker as we had so much out, he was afraid that it would tangle if left to its own accord just dropping back in.  We entered the harbor and slowly motored to where we had been directed to stop, radio ahead and then proceed to where we were going to be med-moored (the same variation as used in the Turks & Caicos). 

As it turned out, we ended up on the quay wall.   They used our lines to attach to a mooring ball and then the boat is stretched back and tied stern-to the wall.  At first, I wasn’t happy.  Our lines in front are completely underwater and will need a thorough washing when we finally leave (I have a feeling that we’ll just end up throwing them out).  Looking out the stern, there is a road that runs along a hurricane fence opposite the wall.  Not very secure.  Then we found out that the marina has a wandering security force 24/7, so I changed my opinion.  Finally, we were put right next to a large fishing type yacht.  An unattended boat.  One that has a curved hull that actually protrudes over the top of our life lines.  Once the marina personnel secured us to our spot, Dale saw a huge fender on the dock behind the boat and attached it to theirs, in an effort to keep it off us.  Our fenders were too small to fend off the curved portion of their boat. 

The first thing Dale did when we were tied off was dig out the electrical cables, connect us to the shore power and turned on the air conditioning.  Thank heavens.  By the time we were done, putting up the shade cloths, the covers for the front enclosure back on and basically settling the Palace for a month in the marina, the temp on the thermometer was 104 and I was dripping and exhausted.  Savannah had settled herself inside with her iPod in the air conditioning and was content to keep to herself. 

We had accomplished all of this by 1:30 in the afternoon.  There was no way I was going to figure out lunch, so we contacted Opal to see if they were ready to find the marina restaurant to meet for lunch.  We went in and the gang was all there.  Renee and Gene from Texas Crewed, Mark & Gina from Rum Truffle, Rachel & her husband from Princess something and of course, Gerry & Nicky from Opal.  We grabbed a few chairs, rearranged a couple of tables and we all sat talking and having a great lunch. 

We waddled back to the boat taking in the amenities along the way; we found the pool, showers, and laundry; I’m set, it’s going to be hard to leave here.  Dale took a nap.  Savannah went back to playing her games and I started trying to pick up all of the things that seem to clutter a boat but ended up reading the Grenada Cruising Guide looking for things to do for the next month. 

Soon enough it was dinner time and we wandered back to the same restaurant for dinner.  I’d say a quick dinner but there’s nothing quick about how long it takes to get your meal from the time you order.  Although rather expensive, the food is good and we are allowed to sit in the restaurant after having your temperature taken, registering who you are in a book and getting spritzed with hand sanitizer each time, so no real complaints. 

Tomorrow, we’ll start working on making arrangements for getting all the big ticket items repaired.  For now, we’re heading to bed early in air conditioned splendor. 

Finally:  I went and got tested for the Corona anti-body.  Turns out it was just a beer belly.