Rodney Bay Marina and Other Observations
Rodney Bay is turning out to be a really nice marina. Its location in a protected lagoon keeps the boat very flat, with the exception of the wake from marina employees zipping around in small power boats (about which I complain to no end). We heard a rumor that the marina will be receiving a major overhaul to include new washroom facilities and even fancy floating docks. The latter would definitely be helpful since tide change can make boat entry and exit difficult during some parts of the day. As a matter of fact, I nearly went for a swim while jumping off the boat on our way to the airport to go to Trinidad. It was SO CLOSE! The dock was much lower than the boat’s deck, and when I jumped, I fell down, flipped backwards ass over tea kettle, and very nearly rolled backwards into the nasty marina water. I personally thank Pilates for stopping my backward momentum!
The marina also seems to be a hub for a lot of circumnavigators and seasonal yachters, so we’ve met many fun and interesting people. Additionally, the World Cup tourists have provided an international flair as well. I typically like sporting events since sports fans can be so lively and delightfully competitive and passionate. If you don’t believe me, go hang out in Pasadena during the Rose Bowl game, or go to the city that’s hosting the Super Bowl, and you will see some fun (and slightly crazy) people! St. Lucia was crawling with cricket super fans crazy enough to follow their team half way around the world. Very fun!
Nevertheless, a marina closer to the “real action” of St. Lucia (i.e. the pitons, fancier parts of the island, more renowned beaches, etc.) might be an improvement. On this point, we probably differ from most yacht people in that we want to go to The Plantation Room at Jalousie or Dasheene at Ladera to clean out the wine list and sample the island’s finest dining establishments, but the driving proves difficult both in time and effort. I find driving through Castries to be particularly harrowing, especially when a cruise ship is in port, which is nearly always. Combine confusing and one-way streets with T-shirt-shopping-crazed, cruise-ship tourists on a deadline with speeding and rude local drivers … panic is inevitable!