May 7, 2003:
Ponte a Pitre, Guadaloupe
After three weeks away we are happy to be back on Ellos.  We had intended to leave Pointe a Pitre right away but we met the folks aboard Surfer Girl, an Australian couple traveling with the three kids (one a brand new baby) and two pals from home and decided to stay for a few more days.


April 16, 2003:
Paris, France
We plan to take Ellos to Europe next year and decided a three week stint on the "the continent" would be fun and a great way to check out marinas and services for next year.  We flew into Paris and spent five days falling in love with the city in all its spring glory, took the overnight train to Venice and watched from our balcony the Gondoliers serenading their passengers, saw David and Venus in Florence and enjoyed chocolate gelato while we sunned ourselves on the Spanish steps in Rome.  We rented a car and toured Tuscany for a week, trying in vain to find Bramasole the Italian villa featured in Carla's favorite travel book, Under the Tuscan Sun.  Onto the French Riviera for a two day stop in Nice, some great people watching and even greater shopping and then back to Paris aboard the TGV train.


April 1, 2003:
Anse Mitan/Forte de France, Martinique
We spent a week on St, Lucia and them made the fast reach to Martinique.  We saw dolphins on the way, which delighted our guests. 
(click for more about Martinique)


Mar-21, 2003:
Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
After a too short stint in the Grenadines we sailed 120 miles North to meet friends in St. Lucia. 
(click for more about St. Lucia)


Mar-9, 2003:
Grenada, West Indies 
We spent a week on the Spice Island of Grenada and sailed 30 miles North to Carriacou, a sleepy little island know for its abundance of rum shops.  There is only one gas station but over 100 rum shops--who could resist that type of travel hype?  
(click for more about Grenada)


Feb-28, 2003:
Trinidad to Grenada
We left for the 82 mile passage to Grenada at about 8pm destined for Prickly Bay, Grenada.  Inexperience and unfamiliarity with the boat added about 30 miles to our trip.  With a sense of accomplishment and a great desire for a shower and some sleep we landed Grenada 18 hours later.  


Feb-16, 2003:
Chaguaramas, Trinidad 
Today marks our two month anniversary here in Trinidad.  We made a quick trip home to Seattle where we spent time with friends and family. Carla gathered her favorite foods not found in Trinidad and Ross haunted West Marine for elusive engine parts.  Heavily laden we made the now familiar trip halfway round the world to our new home on Ellos.
(click for more about Trinidad)



Dec-23-2002:
Trinidad to Island of Tobago
We flew here from Trinidad.  Everything in Trini closes down starting Dec-20 and doesn't reopen until Jan-6.  We decided to explore Tobago over the holidays.
(click for photos)



Dec-15-2002:
Seattle to Trinidad,  Move onto Ellos
Seven giant boxes of linens, clothing, dishes, tools, books and everything else we need for a comfortable life aboard came with us on the flight from Seattle.  Both of us dreaded handling the boxes but it was surprisingly easy with porters.



Nov-16 to 23-2002:
Seattle to Trinidad,  Review Work on Ellos
Final review of work being done at the yard on Ellos before we make our great escape.  Some disappointments on progress but nothing so delayed it interferes with our plans.  It's a tight community in Chagaramus, we've used Fanny Wray at KNJ Marine to manage the work, her husband Billy Wray at Billy's Rigging originally surveyed the boat.



May-18 to 21-2002:
Seattle to Trinidad, First View of Ellos
Taking some time off work and having an accepted offer on Ellos with Southern Trades Yacht Sales, we traveled the 18 hours to Trinidad for the first time.  Expecting the worst we were very pleased with the boat, the yard and Trinidad in general.  It's an ideal place to start.
 

Carla



Ross