Horizon Yacht Charters

Hog Island, Grenada

On Sundays in Grenada you can always find a great party on Hog Island off the south coast of Grenada – but getting there is half the fun!  We recently went with some visitors from England and instead of taking a water taxi, we incorporated our picnic into a Day Sail with Horizon Yacht Charters, Grenada. After a  wonderful sail on Dream Maker around the south coast from True Blue Bay Resort, we moored offshore from the beach at Hog Island in time to enjoy the DJ while we snacked and swam, then went ashore to join the fun.  A football kick-about was in progress, and barbeques and cooking fires provided a wonderful aroma whilst we sipped cold Caribs. When another small sailboat ran aground on a bit of reef quite a bit of drama ensued while all the nearby yachties raced over in their tenders to join in the rescue! They managed to move the boat off to a safe mooring and everyone went back to the party.

After a while a reggae band started up and we spent the rest of a long, lazy afternoon enjoying the company of some new friends we made while dancing and relaxing… what a wonderful day! We felt like we’d had a proper little holiday, and sailed off in time to enjoy the sunset as we docked back at True Blue. Perfect!  We had some fun filming the festivities, but our cameraman was dancing so much that most of the reggae footage was too jumpy to share! You can see a short film of our day here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_SuM7ebRTQ

Lagoon 380 Catamaran

One of the most popular charters  in the Grenadian fleet at Horizon Yacht Charters is Tiando, a Lagoon 380 Catamaran.  We were thrilled to stumble upon a blog on www.wavetrain.net by one of our recent guests, none other than Charles (Charlie) Doane, Executive Editor for Sail Magazine:

“…my personal ultimate goal whenever I’m sailing in the Caribbean is to avoid stress as much as possible. I did not want to be bound hand and foot to an over-ambitious itinerary, and I certainly didn’t want to have to present my motley crew for four different immigration inspections. Fortunately, they heartily endorsed my announcement on day two that our cruise would be limited to Grenadian waters.

As it was we had a perfectly fine time sailing from True Blue Bay, at the south end of Grenada, all the way up to the islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique and back again. We checked out the local boatbuilding scene on both the smaller islands, got in some snorkeling at various locations, and still had enough time to spend a whole day touring the main island by taxi.

The sailing itself was quite vigorous. The tradewinds here blow continually from the northeast at 20 knots or more, which meant we had a boisterous beat up to Carriacou and a nice sleighride of a broad reach coming back from Petit Martinique. Outside the lee of the islands the seas were very full size, but our Lagoon 380, I have to say, performed like a champ. No, it was not terribly closewinded (though for a while we did suffer from a delusion that we were sailing at a 30 degree AWA, thanks to some optimistic instrumentation), but it handled the lumpy stuff with aplomb. With a 110 percent jib and one reef in the main (most of the time) we felt quite secure and had the old girl screaming along at speeds up to 9 knots.”

To read more and see photos from Charlie’s trip, click here:

http://www.wavetrain.net/news-a-views/228-grenada-cruise-der-skipper-uber-alles

For some background on this fantastic catamaran, the popular and elegant Lagoon 380 holds the cruising catamaran world production record with more than 600 units built. Tiando offers the owners layout with 3 double cabins and 2 heads. In this version, the starboard hull is dedicated exclusively to the owners’ suite with office and library, queen size bed, separate large shower.  In fact, the owners head might just compete in size with your bathroom at home! Tiando’s original interior layout features a panoramic saloon and a galley connecting directly with the spacious cockpit and table seating for 6. The sail plan and seaworthy hull design means a great sailing performance without compromising safety.

In fact, the Lagoon 380 is the result of many years’ experience from VPLP, the architects, and the Lagoon R&D department. It shows in the way the boat has been thought out: access to engines from the transoms, large cockpit with table and bench seat, electric windlass, rigid walkway on the trampoline, wide sidedecks.

Her simple, efficient deck layout, security and comfort on board make even a small crew will find the Lagoon 380 a fast and easy to manoeuvre boat.

The bright and well laid out galley is the strategic link between the saloon and the cockpit.

The curved saloon offers a 360˚ view through the portholes and large bay windows. The chart table is directly accessible from the cockpit, a real “summer lounge” with its table and comfortable bench seats are immediately adjacent to the galley.  Space, volume, light, ergonomics, the warmth of wood, soft upolstery, all these characteristics have been taken into account to ensure that you truly enjoy cruising onboard this Lagoon 380.

Tiando is still available throughout September until October 21st 2011 for the special rate of US$3195.00 for 10 nights or US$2715.00  for 7 nights! Email info@horizongrenada.com for more information on chartering Tiando, or call Skype. horizonbookings
Tel: 1 473 439 1000 or 1 473 415 2022

Grenada Market Stall

Summer in Grenada is sometimes called “Turn Over the Pot Season” as there is such an abundance of wonderful fruits available.

Children at the side of the road will hold out small green bunches of fruit for you to buy, called Guineps, but you can also pick them yourself from the large spreading branches of their trees if you can find them!  They have a rough but thin skin that you pop or tear through to reach the soft jelly-ish fruit inside.  They are usually only eaten a small bunch at a time (leaving the seeds and skin), and are slightly tart and refreshing.

Guinep Fruit

Mangoes of many descriptions are everywhere, with the 3^rd Annual Grenada Mango Fest with over 3500 people visiting 50 booths for recipes, products and information certain proof that this is a firm favourite with everyone!  There are a large variety of mangoes in Grenada, and is great fun trying them all – Julie and Ceylon are lovely for dessert eating, and Lung is better for juicing.  Some more unusual varieties include: Turpintine (sic),  Starch, Peach, Beffy, Graham, Calivigny, Thin, Red Face, Rosy and the evocatively named Ten Shilling and Pot Spoon!  One is advised to suck mangoes whilst sitting in the sea for easy clean up!

Avocados are coming into season now as the Mangoes are finishing.  Like Bananas, avocados do not ripen until after they are picked.  No just for guacamole- avocados are very versatile and can be used in chutney, salsa and even avocado soup!

Chilled Avocado Soup

Chilled Avocado Soup

Ingredients:

• 4-6 avocados, ripe, peeled, seeded and cubed
• 3 -4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced finely
• 4 cups chicken stock or 4 cups vegetable stock
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 dash Tabasco or Grenada pepper sauce
• salt & black pepper
• thick coconut milk (optional) or cream (optional)
• chives, chopped for garnish, or sliced cherry tomatoes

Combine avocado, garlic, half of the chicken stock, lime juice, sour cream, and salt & pepper in a blender or food processor and puree.

Mix in remaining chicken stock until smooth. Stir in hot pepper sauce.

Chill the soup for at least 1 hour before serving, if using coconut milk (it does add a nice touch) add it before serving and garnish with the chives &/or tomatoes.  Prep time: 10 minutes (plus chilling) Serves 4-6.

Custard - or Sugar - Apple

One of the more unusual exotic fruits found this time of year in Grenada is the Sugar or  Custard Apple.  Native to South America (Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador),  Cherimoyas (in Spanish) grow on trees and are large (about 4-8 inches long and about 4 inches wide) green, heart-shaped fruit, with bumps on the outside. It does not look promising but the inside,  however, is a different story. The flesh is white, juicy, & fleshy, with a soft custard-like texture and large seeds that look like beans. It is creamy and tastes like a combination of banana, pineapple and strawberry. Custard apples are eaten raw. Just cut the fruit in half lengthways and scoop the flesh straight from the shell with a spoon, removing the inedible seeds & skin. The creamy smooth flesh of the custard apples makes a wonderful puree for smoothies. It can be added to mashed bananas and make into ice cream. It can also be an unusual addition to fruit salads

A recent announcement from the University of California (Davis)  suggests some success in creating a seedless variety, which will improve their popularity for export and for use in recipes!!

Held on the Emancipation weekend each year, the Carriacou Regatta has been a popular event in the Southern Caribbean since it first started as a boat race in 1965.  Focused on activities in Hillsborough Bay, the participating islands now include Grenada and Petite Martinique,  Antigua,  Tobago, and Canouan, Mayreau, Bequia from the Saint Vincent Grenadines.  The races feature the local workboats which are roughly 14 to 35 feet in length and built using skills handed down each generation for traditional fishing and trading sailing vessels.  This year there are also yacht races from Tyrrel Bay on the west side of Carriacou.  We suggest you anchor off Hillsborough as a great place to see all the action!

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A few tips and tricks to make your journey easier when sailing from Grenada’s Port Louis Marina, St George’s to to Tyrrel Bay,  Carriacou!

This is around a 32 NM sail, so you should aim at taking around 6 hours for the trip. It has been said that his is a very hard trip – you’re heading north east directly into the trade winds and have to beat the whole way to Carriacou. Well,  you can end up doing this if you want but there’s a few tricks that you can use to avoid doing this and you can be happily sitting at anchor in Tyrrel Bay relaxing with a cold beer watching the sun set while those who don’t know are still bashing around out there!  Here’s how to go about it:

From St. George’s head for Moliniere Point about 1 mile north of town. At Moliniere just leave the main up sheeted in and motor up the coast. Don’t go more than a few hundred yards off shore, if you’re just on the outside of fishing boats moored up then you’re ok. When you get to the very top end of Grenada keep going around the corner and head into Sauters Bay if the wind appears more out of the north east. It can be rough and blustery at the north end of the island – but don’t worry it will settle down! When you’re nearly off Sauters and you think you can lay The Sisters (off Ronde Island) on one tack then head off and go for it! Motor sail if you have to – keep your speed up as much as you can as this will minimize the time you spend in the (normally) adverse current. Don’t worry if you don’t lay the Sisters, you can tack back in BUT only do this when you’re tucked in behind Ronde Island. When you’re right up next to Kick ‘em Jenny (i.e. 50 yards off!) tack off again and head for Carriacou. Same rules apply – don’t worry about trying to point up for Carriacou if this means you’re losing too much speed; keep above 6 knots if you can. Just north of Kick ‘em Jenny it will get rough for a short while – it’s just the current. If you don’t lay Carriacou on one tack then only tack when you’re nicely in the lee of the island, as you get closer the sea will get progressively flatter and your speed will climb. The island will protect you from the worst of the current. Tyrrel Bay is an easy bay to enter.  

TIP: If you have time and the weather is suitable,  the small anchorage on the west side of Ronde Island makes an idyllic spot for lunch and a swim! 

Tips taken from our new Wikiloc page – have fun planning your sailing holiday before you arrive! don’t miss it!  http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/user.do?name=Horizon

Escape to Your Own Beach Wedding in the Southern Caribbean!

A destination wedding in the Southern Caribbean is an inexpensive and memorable way to get married. Fabulous, exotic locations, wonderful locations for those all-important photographs, and fantastic fun for the wedding party! There are fewer guests to worry about and you can have a combined honeymoon and ceremony.  If you have decided on Grenada for your exotic destination wedding there are a few things to include in your plans.  Luckily, it is really quiet straight forward and Grenada has several wedding venues with experienced staff will help with your special day!

Residency Requirements

Both the Bride and Groom need to be in Grenada at least three days before you apply for a marriage license. This is actually quite helpful, as it gives you time to prepare for your special day! All marriage ceremonies that take place in Grenada are legally recognized throughout the world, and are legally binding.

Applying for the Marriage License

After three days in Grenada you can apply for the marriage license. This needs to be done in person at the Prime Minister’s Office. At this time you will need to pay for the associated fees, which are quite inexpensive. The marriage license fee is $10 EC and the stamp is $15 EC.

Waiting Period

For those who have not been married before the usual waiting time for your marriage license to be processed is two days. If you have been married before it could take slightly longer since the documents must to be sent to the Ministry of Legal Affairs to be processed.

Documentation

The required documentation for your marriage certificate includes original copies of the following:

• valid passports,
• birth certificates (or adoption certificates) or official copies from Registrar’s Office
• decree absolute if divorced OR death certificate if widowed OR signed and stamped sworn affidavit on letterhead proving that you are single from a member of the clergy or lawyer.
• if you are under the age of twenty-one , you will also require consent form from your legal guardian/s., witnessed by a lawyer or notary public.
• If you have changed your name by Deed Poll you will need to bring documentation of this, as well.

Of course, your destination wedding can be performed at one of the wonderful resorts in Grenada, such as True Blue Bay Resort in the South, Petite Anse in the North, or Cabier Ocean Lodge on the East Coast… and plan an unforgettable honeymoon on one of Horizon’s luxury yachts or catamarans!

Fun and colour at J'ouvert!

As one of the friendliest Islands in the Caribbean, Grenada enjoys a fun and safe Carnival  holiday which welcomes many visitors returning to join in the festivities every year.

Many revellers begin their Carnival marathon at the Dimarche Gras Show, held Sunday, August 6^th and continue straight into the J’Ouvert celebrations, on Monday, August 7^th. J’Ouvert begins at dawn on Carnival Monday, and the streets of Grenada’s towns are filled with traditional masqueraders depicting Devils (Jab-Jabs) and social commentaries of the highlights of the past year (Ole Mas).  Traditionally, dancers are blackened with stale molasses, tar, grease, creosote or mud, and wearing little more than their horned helmets, these masqueraders in previous times set out to terrify onlookers with their grotesque appearance and repulsive dances.

In modern times, the traditional Jab-Molassi have mutated into other creatures of colour, with Blue, Yellow and Green Devils joining in the early morning parade. These colourful devils are much more playful in character, wanting only to dab a bit of their body paint onto unsuspecting bystanders, as they dance through the streets to the rhythms of the accompanying drums, steel bands and calypsos from huge DJ trucks.

The Ole Mas bands are the only other inhabitants in the early morning, bringing international and local events to the fore through their double entendre (or double talk) placards and satirical costumes.

Spectators and masqueraders both dance to the sounds of steel bands and DJs playing the latest carnival melodies. On Monday afternoon the fancy or pretty bands appear briefly on the streets as they make their way to the big stage where competition is fierce in the fight for Band of the Year. The street party continues on in the evening as the Monday Night Mas bands make their way through the streets from 8 pm onwards dancing and waving brightly coloured lights.

Carnival Tuesday features a parade of the fancy or pretty bands through the streets, with spectators and masqueraders alike dancing to the sounds of steel bands and DJs playing popular carnival tunes. The party continues late into the evening – until midnight this year – when the official celebrations end.

Make your plans now to head down to the Southern Caribbean to join in the celebrations!

The Bavaria 38, designed by BMW and Bavaria is described as “sheer boating pleasure”… A brilliant boat for 1 or 2 couples to enjoy a yachting holiday with loads of space down below and a lovely, well-spaced galley – not one of those that when you’re working no-one can get past you to the forward cabin!

Designed with some more traditional features associated with sailboats such as accented trim, integrated grabrails on joinery components, and deep, sturdy fiddles around work surfaces and shelves-all in varnished African mahogany, and featuring an enormous head for a boat of this size – you will certainly be able to swing a cat here! For your comfort, the cabins are well -ventilated with perfectly placed hatches.

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