Departure

On a Caribbean Island by the deep blue sea
A boatless crew navigates human discovery
From star, straight line and leafy guess
Trying to show that nature is 'complete' in its limitlessness

Yesterday, my girlfriend (Sarah) and I went out for a lovely meal in our favourite restaurant in Brighton. The owner gave us free spirits afterwards and we made our way home happy but a little wobbly. I awake early with a head full of last minute things to do: pack photos of family, insulation tape, batteries for camera etc.

Meet up with the crew and all their gear at Gatwick with no problems. Flight over to Barbados was good although a little long. I keep falling asleep which plays havoc with my internal clock. Mike L manages to somehow convince one of the stewards that Mike B was his dad. After some other stories he gets them both free drinks. Both Mikes in a good mood. Barbados airport was very, very slow. At one point it didn't look as if we were going to be able to get all the gear on board - not on time anyway! Still we all manage to get through the port and before getting on to the next plane we meet up with Ellen from a different flight. Take the small plane to Carriacou (part of the tri-island state of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique) and finally check in about 7pm.

Mike L's Doom Comment #1
"Did you know that these little planes crash all the time - they have a terrible crash record?" said on the way over to Carriacou on a little plane.

Pink rum drinks all round to one and all, happy evening in a bleary tired sort of way.

The next day

Get up at 6 am (it was meant to be 7am but I got my clock an hour wrong!) and breakfast in the hotel. The little birds that fly and hop around the hotel scavenging food are really cute. Mike L, Paul, Kate and I walk into town to check out the shops and also to walk to Paradise Beach. On the way back Mike L goes into a bar and orders some beers. The owner says "what type of people do you think we are?" It's only 9.45 in the morning - Mike L's internal clock has still not caught up either!

Mike L's Doom Comment #2
Story about a man who mistook a bottle of methanol for a bottle of ethanol (the m on the label had got removed by the solvent). The man drank some of the bottle, walked down the street and collapsed - dead.

The town is curious. Lots of clapper-board houses, with many of the shops just being one small room with a few shelves containing cans of food, bottles of beer and other 'essentials'. The town has one main high street, and midway along this is the port where a few times a day the ferry comes in from Grenada. The ship's horn sounds at 6.30 each morning to let people know it's arrived. All sorts of interesting things in town including some unusual signs reminding you to organise your burial details etc.

We all stop off at a little wooden shack 'rum shop' bar and have some cold drinks. Calypso music on the radio - Mike L and I find the town's only cyber café: EC$10 for half an hour plus a 'cool refreshing drink' (about £2.50).

This evening have a big party at Mr Kent's, the owner of the lime factory that we are going to use for the filming (us scientists haven't seen this yet). His house is situated on a hill overlooking much of the island: spectacular views - looks such a paradise island. Talked to Mr Kent about the Island's history as he runs the Historical Society and Museum. Told me there were people on the island at least a thousand years ago. Water is the main problem in supporting large numbers on the island because the island hasn't any high mountains.

Mike L's Doom Comment #3
Story about a flight in Greece where a large passenger had not belted himself up properly during the flight. Apparently the plane hit terrible turbulence and the man's bumping around eventually killed all the other passengers.

A comment from Mike B after the party
"Mr Kent was making 'come-to-bed eyes' to all the women. Unfortunately, there were two single beds" - Mr Kent was cross-eyed!

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Content last updated: 26/07/2006