I awoke early and connected to the free Wi-Fi ashore in order to catch up on internet stuff. The signal, while powerful, only allowed a slow connection but it was enough to complete my tasks and even look at CNN and BBC news to follow the saga of the missing Malaysian Airlines flight. Around noon I joined Katzenellenbogen and we motored down the coastline to Basseterre where we anchored in preparation to going ashore. The anchorage outside the cruise ship dock and marina was as rolly and uncomfortable as I remembered and we had some thrill and almost spills while boarding the dinghy. Once ashore, Stephen and I proceeded to the immigration and Port Authority offices to complete clearing in and I was pleasantly surprised that they also allowed us to clear out from there, 4 days hence!
There were two cruise ships at the docks and the stores, vendors and hawkers were doing good business and the whole area had a different vibe to it from my previous visits – it really did seem like all of the locals were working on angles to separate the tourists from their disposable income and even in the old city we were approached. I hope that Nevis will have remained as it was, but since they don’t have cruise ship facilities there I believe it will be better.
After we had toured the town we had some real challenges boarding the boat from the dinghy but all people, passports and cameras managed to remain dry. While motoring back I got some sniffles and had to sneeze several times and after we’d anchored my nose blocked completely so I think I’ve got an allergy to something since the onset of a real cold isn’t that fast. That allergy put a damper on my evening and I thawed out part of a baguette and made some simple sandwiches and used up the rest of my Brie which had gotten so ripe that it didn’t need to be cut but could be poured onto the bread.
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