The terns were right

We were worried about TS/Hurricane Gonzalo even though the royal terns were back in town. We prepared our boat and put out two more anchors.

The first few projected tracks had the little TS symbol right on top of us but fortunately, Hurricane Gonzalo stayed about 100 miles away to the northeast.

The terns were right.

90L is TS Gonzolo

GONZOLO, great name for a storm. Makes me think of a Marx Brother movie.  But as cool as his name might be (we experienced Omar a few years ago), we really don't want him passing through here.

The Hurricane Hunters flew through Invest 90L earlier today and found out that it was a Tropical Storm... didn't even mess with the Tropical Depression phase.

They predict it will be an H-thing when it gets to Puerto Rico.

So, guess you know what we'll be busy with... best to be prepared.

Hope the GFS model (red line in above image) is accurate and it will pass quite aways from us.

Here's a bit from Advisory #1 - 130 PM AST SUN OCT 12 2014

DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
AT 130 PM AST...1730 UTC...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM GONZALO WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 16.4 NORTH...LONGITUDE 58.4 WEST. GONZALO IS
MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 10 MPH...17 KM/H...AND THIS GENERAL
MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY...FOLLOWED BY A TURN
TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST TUESDAY NIGHT. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...
GONZALO IS EXPECTED TO MOVE THROUGH THE LEEWARD ISLANDS BY EARLY
MONDAY MORNING.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 40 MPH...65 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 45 MILES...75 KM
FROM THE CENTER.

THE ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 1009 MB...29.80 INCHES.

So it goes

August 2013 - No complaints here!

We just noticed that there is a new weather system out there, Invest 96L. Here's an image from last night (Aug 29, 2013) at 8:00pm.

Invest 96L - Aug 29, 2013 20:00 EDT

Not so bad for us but perhaps not so good for those in the Canary Islands.

Dr. Jeff Masters' Wonderblog had a couple of interesting things today:

The end of August is upon us, and with just one day remaining in the month, the remarkably quiet Atlantic hurricane season of 2013 is highly likely to be just the 6th season since the Hurricane Hunters began flying in 1944 without a hurricane forming by the end of August (the other years: 2002, 2001, 1988, 1984, and 1967.) Although there have been two tropical storms in August (Erin and Fernand), these storms were weak and short-lived, and August 2013 had one of the lowest Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) totals on record for an August in the Atlantic... [more]

Color me a happy camper!

Beach Cleanup & Lion Fish Hunt - JVD BVI

Looking for something to do next weekend? Check out the Underwater Beach Cleanup and Lion Fish Hunt on Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands, Saturday April 20, 2013. Registration begins at 9:30am.

A full day of events includes:

Diving, Snorkeling, SUP-ing, Lunch, Door Prizes,
Beverages, and an After Party w/ DJ!!

If you plan to dive, RSVP at 284.540.0861 or 284.495.0271

ENTRY FEE:

• $15 - adults
• $8 - children under 15

Fee includes: lunch, beverage, dive, snorkel or dive equipment, paddle board use, door prize ticket, beach after party with DJ.

First dives begin at 11:30am. Last dives at 1:30pm
Lunch, DJ, and bar open at 3:00pm
Semimars on marine conservation, lion fish, and more run throughout the day

It is illegal to bring a spear-gun into BVI waters and to spear fish if you are not a British Virgin Islander. If you wish to partake in the removal of Lion Fish you can do so by netting. Make sure to ask more about the rules and regulations when you RSVP.

Click on the thumbnail to the left to view full poster...

So it goes...

JetBlue airlines: NEW routes: San Juan to St Thomas & St Croix

Jet Blue airlines announces that starting December 12, 2011 it is launching twice daily service between San Juan, PR and St Thomas, USVI and daily flights between San Juan and St Croix, USVI.

 

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Sept. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU), Puerto Rico's largest carrier, today announced that it will launch San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport's (SJU) twice daily service to St. Thomas (STT) and daily service to St. Croix (STX) International Airports - the airline's 69th and 70th destinations - on Monday, December 12, 2011, three days earlier than originally scheduled. Customers seeking a jumpstart on a vacation to the U.S. Virgin Islands can also save money on flights today through 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, September 23, 2011 at www.jetblue.com/new, where trips are selling for as low as $39 each way for travel through February 15, 2012.

JetBlue's schedule between San Juan and St. Thomas, effective December 12, 2011:

SAN JUAN to ST THOMAS	ST THOMAS to SAN JUAN
Depart - Arrive 8:25 a.m. - 8:53 a.m. 3:15 p.m. - 3:43 p.m.	Depart - Arrive 9:30 a.m. - 9:59 a.m. 5:30 p.m - 5:59 p.m.

JetBlue's schedule between San Juan and St. Croix, effective December 12, 2011:

SAN JUAN to ST CROIX	ST CROIX TO SAN JUAN
Depart - Arrive 2:25 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.	Depart - Arrive 4:04 p.m - 4:44 p.m.

Read the full JetBlue press release for Puerto Rico to USVI flights.

JetBlue's inaugural service between Boston's Logan International Airport (BOS) and St. Thomas will operate for the winter season with five weekly departures beginning December 15, 2011 and will operate nonstop on the southbound flight and direct via San Juan on the northbound flight to Boston.

JetBlue's schedule between Boston and St. Thomas, effective December 15, 2011:

BOSTON to ST THOMAS	ST THOMAS to BOSTON
Depart - Arrive 9:35 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.	Depart - Arrive 3:20 p.m. - 7:29 p.m. (+1 stop SJU)

• Flights operate 5 times a week effective December 15, 2011
• Northbound flights will operate via San Juan, PR

Read more about Boston/St Thomas here.

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Check out our Nautical Greeting Cards and More store We only make a few pennies on purchases but everything helps and we appreciate it!

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Gasoline Prices at fuel dock in St Croix, US Virgin Islands

Yesterday we bought 4.5 gallons of gasoline at St Croix Marine in Christiansted, US Virgin Islands and surprise... the price has gone up yet again!

Fortunately, we don't use much. We have a 5HP two-stroke outboard motor and we only use it 2 or 3 times a week. Our new Honeywell generator doesn't seem to take as much fuel as the Honda. We've had many cloudy days so it has been necessary to run it more to keep up with computer consumption.

2011 (price per US Gallon):

• May 17: $4.55 (a 21+% increase in 5 weeks)
• April 23: $4.25 
• April 7: $3.75
• Feb 4: $3.65
• Jan 6: $3.35

Diesel is currently (May 17 2011) 10 cents cheaper than gas at $4.45/gallon

At least their water has been a bit cleaner lately :)

So It Goes...

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No Daylight Savings Time in the Caribbean

Did you turn your clock forward or back? That's one thing we don't have to worry about in the Caribbean... we are always on Island Time.

Image from www.wackywit.com

Hope you decided to "spring ahead"

Good Experience OFFSHORE MARINE St Thomas USVI

We had a good experience yesterday that I'd like to share...

The day before yesterday we lost overboard the piece off the end of our dinghy pump hose... you know, that special adaptor necessary to inflate your Caribe dinghy? Bob is very good at finding things underwater but we couldn't look for it right away because we were going to catch a bus to go up to the mall.

Yesterday we went to St Croix Marine and they didn't have the Caribe adaptor as they are not a Caribe dealer. We then went online to check West & Defender.  Then we decided "What the heck? Let's call Offshore Marine in St Thomas and see what they have to offer."

Chuck in the parts department was very helpful. He said that they had just received a shipment of these thingies the previous day. Well, that's handy for us! As we are in St Croix, Chuck drove down and put it on the seaplane. Such service! The seaplane is still only $10 to ship a small package like this. It is faster and less expensive than Express Mail.

So, thank you Chuck & Harold.

Yesterday & Today in St Croix

Yesterday, Sunday, we decided to get in the dinghy and go for a snorkel away from the boat.  We chose a shallow area with grass and sand.

There were quite a few conch, and it appears to be mating season (didn't take any photos of that :)

I found the trails that the conch leave very interesting. I wonder how fast they move?

Bob picked up one conch shell and it had a hermit crab squatting in it.

 

I enjoyed our swim... (today we got a phone call from a client in Boston and it was 9F degrees... It's 80-something here).

Today, we took the bus up to Sunny Isle to visit the big hardware store so we could check out their lumberyard. Didn't see anything of interest.

We went to Cost-U-Less and bought a couple of things, but we have found that it's just as good, if not better, to go shopping at Pueblo and Schooner Bay Market.

Looks like the sun is almost over the yardarm (we don't have a mast but there must be a boat with a yard somewhere... Yes, the Schooner Roseway!) so we'll pour ourselves a wee tot of Cruzan Blackstrap Rum and have some quality time with the cats. Mmmmmmmm, nice stuff!

It's snowing somewhere? Not here!

We just received an email from a charter client who told us her husband was delayed in the Denver snow storm.  It is difficult to imagine a snow storm when you look outside and it looks like this...

I just took this photo and decided to post it for all of you who might be wearing socks :)

Enjoy!

New Regatta Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2010

We received this announcement in our email and thought some of you might be interested. They have a very nice looking website:

The 2010 Season will count a new sail event in the Caribbean. Indeed a new regatta " Les Voiles de Saint Barth " will be held between 6 and April 11th of this year. Organized with Saint Barth Yacht Club and Comité Territorial du Tourisme, with the support of Saint Barthélémy's Collectivité .

This event gets ready to welcome as many Maxi Yachts, Classics boats, Racings and Multihulls.

This Rendez-vous will be inescapable through a sports spirit and just as much friendly and festive.

In the idyllic setting of Saint Barth Island, residents, storekeepers and water sport professionals get ready to welcome these boats and their crews to make them discover or rediscover this unique island.

We suggest you to get all the information on our site : http://www.lesvoilesdesaintbarth.com

You will find also the 'notice of race' of the event there.

Organisation committee
Saint Barth Yacht Club

Sounds like fun!

Will this be "A" ?

Well, it had to happen sometime as it is getting on to the middle of August...

It's official, we now have Tropical Depression #2 out to the east of us... What was TD1? Something that wouldn't affect us so ignored I suppose.

Click on images to enlarge
06:00am 11 Aug 2009

TROPICAL DEPRESSION TWO SPECIAL ADVISORY NUMBER 1
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL022009
600 AM AST TUE AUG 11 2009

SATELLITE IMAGES INDICATE THAT A TROPICAL DEPRESSION HAS FORMED OVER THE FAR EASTERN TROPICAL ATLANTIC.

AT 600 AM AST...1000 UTC...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION TWO WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 14.4 NORTH...LONGITUDE 28.6 WEST OR ABOUT 280 MILES...455 KM...WEST OF THE SOUTHERNMOST CAPE VERDE ISLANDS.

THE DEPRESSION IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 13 MPH... 20KM/HR... AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 30 MPH...45 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST...AND THE DEPRESSION COULD BECOME A TROPICAL STORM WITHIN A DAY OR TWO.

Well, at least the various forecasted tracks shows that it will swing to the north of the island chain...

We'll be keeping an eye on it... Didn't care for Omar's visit last year :)

RECIPE from Charter Yacht MAKAYABELLA

Sue and John from the 65-foot charter yacht, Makaybella, have sent us this superb dessert recipe and we'd like to share it with you...

HOT PASSION PINA COLADA'S (serves 4)

• 2 ripe passion fruits
• 4 tbsp icing sugar
• 4 pineapple slices (rind cut off)
• Rum of your choice to taste (Malibu coconut rum is our favourite)
• Coconut ice cream to serve

Slice the passion fruit in half and scoop out the seeds.

Sift the icing sugar onto a plate and press the pineapple slices into it on both sides.

Heat a non stick frying pan. When hot, caramelise the slices in the pan. This will take a few minutes, be patient and they will turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Serve immediately on individual plates, drizzled with rum or Malibu. Top with a scoop of coconut ice cream and the passion fruit pulp.

Serves 4

MAKAYABELLA is a 65-foot Naval Chantier sloop, owned & operated by the British couple of John Nicholson & Susan Bruce. While having four guest cabins, Makayabella charters a maximum of six guests. They are available for crewed yacht charters / sailing vacations in the Grenadines.

• View Makayabella's online brochure
• Contact Paradise Connections for more info on yacht charters

Let us know how you liked the recipe!

CULEBRITA Puerto Rico closed to visitors

Just read this in today's (Jan.14,2009) eTN and thought some of you might like to know about it...

Puerto Rico bars tourists from Culebrita while it clears US military ordinance

BY NYDAILYNEWS.COM | JAN 12, 2009

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A tiny Puerto Rican island popular with tourists has been closed to allow contractors to sweep its beaches for buried ammunition.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has hired a private company to scour the natural reserve for leftover projectile and bomb fragments. The U.S. military used the island for bombing practice from 1930 to 1975.

The Corps said Friday that Florida-based contractor USA Environmental hired a biologist to monitor any turtle nests that might be disturbed.

Culebrita lies east of mainland Puerto Rico and is popular with snorkelers and divers. It is home to the ruins of one of the oldest lighthouses in the Caribbean.

No mention of how long it will be closed for.

Tropical Storm NANA - Nice name Nice Storm?

NANA is a nice name. It's name makes me think of a nice, gentle, kind grandmother. Hopefully she won't drop by for a visit :)

We went to the store just a bit ago and bought some cat food and ice cream. After enjoying some Chocolate Fudge Swirl, we turned on our computers at 5:15pm and saw Tropical STORM Nana. What? There was never a Tropical Depression!



At least the forecasted track shows it being to the north of us by 2pm Wednesday when it is still way over at 46-ish West. Think good thoughts and maybe it will just fizzle out...

But then there is that other one (Invest 98) that might bring lots of rain to Hispanola and Puerto Rico.



Hey, it's just about the middle of October! Enough already!!!

CRUISING WITH PETS - BAHAMAS AND CARIBBEAN

We have been working on a charter where the client wants to bring a small dog with them. We found this article by Carol Bareuther who is a marine journalist, along with being a registered dietician in the USVIs. This information is from the December 2006 issue of All At Sea.

We couldn't get the link to work properly
(http://www.allatsea.net/specificissueeditorial.php?featureid=1105)
so we are posting the whole article because we feel it is very valuable to cruisers with pets, especially since it has contact info for many countries.

Thanks a bunch Carol for this very important information. We really appreciate your efforts.

Travel with Pets in the Bahamas and the Caribbean
From ALL AT SEA (http://www.allatsea.net)

by Carol Bareuther
December 2006 Issue

Cruising down the Caribbean island chain can be anything but carefree when you’re traveling with a pet. Each island is a nation unto itself with specific requirements for pets if, that is, the pet wants to put its paws ashore. Here’s what you need to know before you go:

ANGUILLA
Pets are allowed to enter with a permit. At least six months prior to your arrival, contact the Anguilla Agriculture Department, Tel: (264) 497-2615, or Email: agri@anguillanet.com, between 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon or from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays for information about how to obtain this permit.

ANTIGUA/BARBUDA
An import permit must be obtained from the Chief Veterinary Officer. The pet must also be micro-chipped and blood tested for rabies titer at an approved lab. The results should be forwarded to the: Chief Veterinary Officer, P.O. Box 1282, St. John's, Antigua, West Indies, Fax: (268) 460-1759.

BAHAMAS
An import permit is required from the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and Industry. Applications for the permits, plus a $10 processing fee, must be made in writing to the Bahamas Director of Agriculture, P.O. Box N-3704, Nassau, The Bahamas. Tel: (242) 325-7502 or Fax: (242) 326-3960. For pets coming from the U.S. and Canada, dogs and cats must be: 1) six months of age or older, 2) accompanied by a valid certificate which states that the pet has been vaccinated against rabies within not less than 1 month and not more than 10 months prior to importation, and 3) accompanied by a Veterinary Health Certificate presented within 48 hours of arrival in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to a licensed veterinarian for an examination.

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Dogs and cats are permitted entry only after the Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Division issues an import permit. The BVI is a Rabies free territory and in order to protect against the spread of this disease, there are regulations that address pets coming in from countries that are known to have outbreaks of Rabies, such as the U.S. mainland and Canada. Of note is that Caribbean nations such as Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Montserrat, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the U.S. Virgin Islands are Rabies-free. Find the correct forms in a downloadable form at: www.britishvirginislands.com/ntk_permitspet.htm. For more information, call the Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Division, at: (284) 495-2532.

BARBADOS
An import permit must be obtained from the Chief Veterinary Officer before the importation of all pets. This permit can be obtained by calling Veterinary Services at: (246) 427-5073 or Fax: (246) 420-8444. A Veterinary Officer must examine the animal before it’s allowed to leave the customs area. Dogs and cats need to be free of any communicable disease. If they come from the UK, Ireland, Jamaica, St. Kitts-Nevis, Antigua, St. Lucia or St. Vincent, they may be imported directly. Pets from all other countries must undergo six months quarantine in Britain after which time an import permit can be secured.

DOMINICA
Pets can enter the country if accompanied by a valid Veterinary Health Certificate plus an importation permit from the Veterinary Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, Botanical Gardens, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica. Tel: (767) 448-0414.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Pets must have a health certificate issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian. The certificate should contain the name and address of the owner, and complete identification of the animal (name, breed, sex, and age). The pet must also have: 1) been examined within 30 days prior to departure and found to be free of any infectious diseases, and 2) been vaccinated against rabies. The rabies vaccination certificate (which should have been given between one month and 12 months prior to entry) should include the date of vaccination, product name and serial number. For more information, call the Office of Animal Health at: (809) 542-0132.

GRENADA
A health certificate from a veterinarian dated within two weeks of travel. An import permit is also required. The Grenada Tourist Board can fax the permit papers. For more information, call the Veterinary & Livestock Office at: (473) 440-3195 or Fax: (473) 440-4191.

GUADELOUPE
Cats and dogs over three months old are admitted temporarily with certificates of origin and good health (or anti-rabies inoculation), issued by a licensed veterinarian from the country of shipment.

JAMAICA
Animals are not permitted to enter Jamaica without going through quarantine in the UK for six months.

MARTINIQUE
Dogs and cats over three months old are admitted temporarily with certificates of origin and good health (or anti-rabies inoculation), issued by a licensed veterinarian from the country of shipment. For more information, contact: The Capitainerie of Le Marin, Tel: (011 596) 596 74 83 83, Fax: (011 596) 596 74 92 02

PUERTO RICO & THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Dogs and cats may enter with a health and inoculation certificate from a veterinarian dated two weeks prior to arrival.

ST. LUCIA
Pets must have a Veterinary Import Permit before they may enter St. Lucia. This can be arranged for by contacting the Ministry of Agriculture’s Veterinary Department. Cats and dogs must also adhere to the following requirements: 1) be electronically identifiable by having had an acceptable type of microchip implanted, 2) be vaccinated against rabies at or over three months of age, 3) travel into St. Lucia, 180 days (six months) after the date the blood sample was taken, and 4) be treated no more than 48 hours before entry into St Lucia with a preparation for the treatment of ticks and fleas and with an anthelmintic preparation. For more information, contact the Chief Veterinary Officer at: Email: chiefvet@slumaffe.org.

ST. MAARTEN
Pets can enter St. Maarten with a health certificate issued by a veterinarian dated less than 10 days prior to departure. The pet must have a rabies vaccination certificate that has been issued between one month and 12 months before entering the island.

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Pets from the US must be in quarantine in the UK for six months before entering. Pets can enter Vincentian waters on yachts but must remain onboard at all times unless the above requirements are met.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Pets entering must be declared to Customs on entry. No animal is allowed ashore unless a permit is obtained from the Veterinary Services Division. It’s also essential to have an importation license. This license must be applied for three months prior to travel. In addition, necessary arrangements must be made 24 hours before arrival in order for the dog or cat to be inspected on arrival.
Dogs and cats from the U.S. are required to undergo six-month quarantine at the Quarantine Station. The quarantine time can be shortened to 30 days if three criteria are met: 1) that dogs have a microchip inserted underneath their skin by a vet before the required rabies vaccine, 2) that dogs or cats are vaccinated against rabies within six months but not more than a year before planned travel, and 3) that pets have a blood rabies test one month after vaccination. Permits to allow pets ashore for walking or exercising are not usually issued. For more information, contact: Veterinary Services Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources, St. Clair Circle, St. Clair. Tel: (868) 622-1221; Fax: (868) 622-4240; Email: aphmalmr@tstt.net.tt. For a copy of the importation application form and for further information, visit www.agriculture.gov.tt.

Carol M. Bareuther, RD, is a St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands-based marine writer and registered dietitian.

Peg Leg Pub New Location in St. Maarten

APRIL 2008 - We are very sad to see that one of our favorite restaurants in St. Maarten has moved. They used to be conveniently located for cruising folks as they had a dinghy dock in the Lagoon at Three Palms Plaza (across the water from Budget Marine & in between Pineapple Pete and Domino's Pizza).



It was the perfect place for us to have dinner before a movie which was just down the road a bit. They have half-price appetizers for happy hour between 4-6pm and $1 beers. We could easily have a good feed and a couple of beers for UNDER $20... for both of us, not each. I usually would not have room for popcorn at the movie which is really saying a lot for me :)

But now they have moved. I suppose we could tie up over at the little marina in the back of Port de Plaisance Marina where the French restaurant is and then walk up to the casino, but it's just not convenient for us anymore... We've been spoiled!

We really like Jack & Linda so I'm sure we'll still pass by, but not as often as before as it would be a specific trip and not a "hey, it's Tuesday so it is Meat Loaf for the lunch special... Let's GO" Perhaps we'll just have to do Pineapple Pete instead as a pre-movie deal. Haven't been there in a long time and I seem to remember something about a wings special...

Anyway, this is what it says on the Peg Leg website:

Peg Leg Moves In April!

Peg Leg Pub & Steakhouse moves early in April from Simpson Bay to the former location of the "Surf and Turf" just inside the Casino entrance at Princess Port de Plaisance. The schedule:

APRIL 6TH LAST DAY AT OLD LOCATION
APRIL 11TH FRIENDS AND FAMILY DAY
APRIL 12TH ON OPEN REGULAR HOURS

Our new Port de Plaisance location is much closer for people in the Cupecoy area -- just 20 minutes through Marigot. That's a lot better than 1 1/2 hours thru Simpson Bay!

Join us at our new location starting April 12, 2008!

All the best for your new location & hope to see you soon, Jack & Linda. Your restaurant has it all... Good food, Good service, Good specials, Good hospitality!

Keep it up!

SHOPPING - PRICES IN ST. MAARTEN APRIL 2008

SHOPPING - PRICES IN ST. MAARTEN APRIL 2008

Prices in US Dollars in April 2008, St. Maarten, SXM Netherland Antilles

Gasoline, 1 gallon: $4.77 ($1.26/liter at Island Water World)
Gasoline (essence) on the French side is cheaper. Usually 1 euro = 1 dollar
Water, 1 gallon: $0.15 at Island Water World

FAST FOOD:

Kentucky Fried Chicken: #1: Leg & thigh, small mashed potatoes, biscuit, drink: $7.00
Burger King: Whopper, fries, drink: $5.99
MacDonalds: #2: QuarterPounder, fries, drink: $5.59
Domino's Pizza: on Lagoon across from Budget Marine, near Pineapple Pete. Will deliver to French side

• Large Pan Pizza, unlimited toppings, $12.00
• 12" Medium: $10.65 +$1.25/topping
• 14" Large: $12.50 +$1.50/topping
• Two for Tuesday! Buy one get one free.

GRAND MARCHE / GOURMET MARCHE:

Eggs, medium, one dozen: $2.22
Potatoes, Idaho, 5 pounds: $3.50
Onions, 3-pound bag: $3.00
Pepsi Max, 12 cans (12-pack plastic shrink wrap): $4.50
Coke Zero, 12 cans (12-pack plastic shrink wrap): $4.75
Coke Zero, 12 cans (12-pack cardboard box): $7.20 (WHAT? Imported from UK)
Fresca, 12 cans (cardboard packaging): $6.50
Rum, Appleton dark, 1 liter: $5.53
Rum, Cortez dark, 1 liter: $3.75
Cookies, McVitties Bourbon Cremes: $1.35
Cat litter, clumping, 7-pound jug (gallon size): $5.50 & $6.00
Cat litter, Tidy Cat, clumping, 14-pound jug: $8.80

COST-U-LESS:

Coke Zero, 12 cans: $4.50
Batteries, Duracell AA 8-pack: $7.78
Cat food, Purina Delicat, 10-pound bucket: $10.55
Cat litter, Fresh Step Clumping, 28-pound bucket: $16.66
Rice, parboiled 10-pound bag: $6.66

LD's SEVEN ALIVE Supermarket across from Palapa Marina:

Milk, 2%, 1/2 gallon = $1.45

WANTED: Good Mexican Restaurant

Bob showed me this blog post this morning on Guilty Carnivore for a wonderful looking Mexican taco stand (Taqueria Pico de Gallo) in South Tucson, Arizon.

Check out these photos and the receipt!





(Photos from Guilty Carnivore)

Do you think they would consider opening a restaurant in the Caribbean?

If you are having problems with the permalink for the posting mentioned above go to his home page and scroll down to the "Eating Tucson: Taqueria Pico de Gallo" post dated, February 4, 2008.

MORE PAPERWORK FOR CLEARING IN & OUT

This is from the CARIBBEAN COMPASS September 2007 edition, Info & Updates:

New Rules for Yachts in CARICOM

Yachts traveling from country to country within much of the English-speaking Eastern Caribbean are looking at more paperwork.

Legislation has been passed which requires all air and sea carriers to submit passenger information in advance when arriving at, and departing from, each of ten Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM) member states. Participating CARICOM member states are:

• Jamaica,
• Antigua & Barbuda,
• St. Kitts & Nevis,
• Dominica,
• Barbados,
• St. Lucia,
• St. Vincent & the Grenadines,
• Grenada,
• Trinidad & Tobago, and
• Guyana.

These countries are collectively known as a "Single Domestic Space" (SDS).

Compass is informed that the term "sea carriers" includes both private and charter yachts.

To comply with the new regulation, you fill out a form (available by registering at www.caricomeapis.org) which asks for information such as passengers' names, nationalities and passport numbers, and the vessel's dates and times of departure and arrival.

There are three ways the form can be submitted:

• By sending as an e-mail attachment to maritime@impacsjrcc.org
• By filling it in on-line
• By faxing it to (246) 228-4040.

When arriving in the SDS from a port outside of the SDS, the form must be submitted no later than 24 hours before arrival.

When departing from the SDS to a port outside of the SDS, the form must be submitted no later than 15 minutes after departure.

When traveling between countries within the SDS, the form must be submitted no later than one hour before departure.

For more information contact Diane Hazzard at (246) 429-7931 or diane.hazzard@impacsjrcc.org

I'm planning to check out their web site and see if it is currently in effect. What happens if you decide to bypass your destination and go somewhere else because of timing, or weather conditions, etc? Will the country that you bypassed get worried when you don't show up? Plus, you won't have a form filled out prior to your arrival for the country you are entering...

Wasn't it last year that they were saying how they had just cut down on forms and things were easier?

Maybe we'll just stick to Anguilla, St. Maarten, and the French Islands :)

Too much Big Brother in my opinion. So It Goes... perhaps it is time to move on.