We’ve been grinding away at our boat gremlins and are finally – knock on wood- relatively confident that things should stay working, at least for a while. We have our new dinghy, barbeque, and beefed up fuel filter system for the engines. Also, our water maker is performing well and we are no longer drinking that over chlorinated stuff that comes from the tap.
The political climate here in the USVIs is pretty scary. The only refinery in the Caribbean, located on St. Croix has announced they are shutting down. This means a loss of 1200 big jobs and $60M in tax revenue. For a population of less than 60,000 people, this is disastrous. Also, WAPA, the water and power supplier here, which from the looks of things is highly inefficient, lost some kind of steam engine and shut off the water to the island for about 10 days, which made everyone miserable and nervous. When tourism is your number one industry, it’s really hard to explain to visitors that they can’t shower, and that bucket under the sink is for them to fill the toilet with water before they flush. Less than optimal. The Governor gave a ‘state of the union’ address which was met with crowded vociferous protesting that ended without violence, but also left a foreboding feeling that things are about to get pretty ugly here. His first plea was to beg the people not to resort to crime, which is the immediate assumption that that is exactly what is going to happen. Paradise is a gorgeous place to visit but can be no fun if you live here.
In spite of all that there is lots of good stuff going on. We have discovered many first class restaurants and are looking forward to enjoying them again when our friends visit. The weather is lovely, although the locals are complaining about the cold. None of us is even mildly cool and the water is clear, clean and warm enough for us. A bit bracing when you first get in, and then very refreshing. We’ve been going to Buck Island regularly to Turtle Cove where we are always amazed to observe tons of sea turtles. Bill tried to hop a ride with one, but was rejected. They are very people-tolerant and it is suspected that they like to see their reflections in your mask, as they often look right at you. We were able to use the new Hero camera, which you strap to your head or arm and take really good HD video of the turtles. Awesome stuff. Patrick did some editing and added music and turned out a decent product. I was informed very strenuously that if I did attempt to add this to the blog, the upload time would be over two days. Who knew?
This is the first place we’ve been where we can swim everyday and snorkel at a variety of easy sites. We’ve decided not to venture any further than the USVIs and the BVIs this cruising season, and head back to Canada in May.
We’re going scuba diving tomorrow, the first time since last year at Abaco. Although…I did borrow a BC and tank and regulator and try to retrieve the part that Bill accidently dropped under the boat here at the dock. Unfortunately, at that time of day the water was dark, and the rain hit making the water very murky. I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. When I let the air out of my BC, I had to watch my depth gauge to see if I was going down or not but could barely read it. I also didn’t have enough weight in my pockets to help me sink, and it didn’t take me long to remember that I don’t like diving in the dark. I didn’t see the boat bottom till I bumped into it, and that was it for me. I bailed. And then I showered extensively , because going into the water in a marina is, well, YUCK! Bill had already replaced the lost part and I was just trying to be a cheapskate and have a spare, but I’ll only go so far to save a buck. Turns out, it’s not all the way. I’m no scuba tramp!
Feb 3rd
We really lucked out in our choice of dive suppliers. Blue Island Divers have a crew that is professional, courteous and attentive. Not always the case on some of the ‘cattlemarans’ who cater to the unsuspecting tourists coming off the big cruise ships for their shore excursions. Our dive was awesome! Best underwater scenery I have ever seen! Did not want to surface. Colors of jewels on the fish and the coral. Walls of gorgeous vibrant patterns, beautiful columns, it was like being inside the best aquarium in the world. On the second dive, Bill spotted a large sea turtle sleeping on the bottom and grabbed him by the shell – went for a very brief ride. The second dive was on a wreck – I vaguely remember the dive master saying something about army barracks being sunk after WWII. We were to all stay in single file going up and down the corridors and to frog kick instead of flutter so as not to disturb the sand on the bottom and cover over the polyps that need to open up to live. I was the ONLY one in the group who did that, and I bailed on the last corridor as the group in front of me clouded up the water with their fluttering fins so much that no one in the line after the second diver could see a thing anyway. The second dive was nowhere near the joy of the first one, but the first was so amazing that nothing could detract from it. Patrick (son) and Chris (on buddy boat Toucan Dream) did a ‘Discover Scuba’ thing as neither is certified. The instructor was terrific and both enjoyed their experiences immensely. They’re hooked. Pat took great pictures with the Hero video camera and put it to music after some editing. Sure to be a Cannes nomination. I can’t wait to go again.
We’re sitting in Charlotte Amalie Harbour, enjoying the scenery and the blue water, but for some reason, the weatherman here can’t get anything straight. When the prediction is for 10 to 15 knot winds, you get 30 to 40. When it is for rain, it stays dry and when it for sunshine and no precipitation, be prepared to get wet.
No comments:
Post a Comment