With perfect timing three Islands Odyssey boats, all of them catamarans, arrived on Wednesday morning in Bridgetown, Barbados, at the end of a fast 2000-miles passage from the Cape Verde Islands. The latest arrivals were Lesmona, a Prout Escale 39, Optimus, a Lagoon 380 and Sarayu, a Leopard 40. In spite of the fact that there were five large cruise ships in the harbour, customs and immigration made a special exception and cleared them promptly, and even Bonnie on Lesmona was processed in record time.
Bonnie: ‘Please, please I want ashore after 15 days on a cat’!
Once formalities were completed the boats proceeded to the Careenage, which is a small harbour in the very heart of the capital. Christmas festivities have started early here in the Caribbean and the sailors were treated to an exuberant show on a stage right behind the quay.
It was the kind of surprise welcome which participants were not expecting, especially in such a unique location as in no other Caribbean island will they find a small marina in the heart of a capital, right where all the action is.
A show is put on for boats in Careenage Marina in the centre of Bridgetown
The arrival of the Island Odyssey in Barbados is a dress rehearsal for next year’s events that will mark the 50th anniversary of Barbados independence.
Bridge opens to let Sarayu into Careenage
Crew of Sarayu welcomed by Peter Gilkes of Barbados Tourism Promotion
Gifts for the crew of Lesmona
Islands Odyssey boats in Bridgetown
Optimus happy to be on land!
Sarayu assisted at arrival because of engine problems
Prompt service- Sarayu had hardly tied up when a mechanic was on board to fix his engine
The crew of other Islands Odyssey boats welcome Lesmona
- You can follow the position of the other boats and check their estimated time of
- arrival on the tracking map.
- View the arrivals list.
- View more arrivals photos on our Facebook album (no need to login) and on Peter Marshall album
