Another hop north along the coast of Dominica led us to Prince Rupert Bay, Dominica's main yachting anchorage. Already from miles away, the bay looked much more crowded than last year, with a five-master and a four-master cruise ships, a large motor yacht and many many sailboats of all sizes. We were surprised not to be met by the boatboys, but it soon became apparent that all the moorings were taken and they were quite busy ferrying the superyacht guests and crews (and being ordered around by the bossy female captain of M/V Sp****** Lady).
Knowing the poor anchor holding at the north of the bay, and seeing the seething mass of vessels crowded there, we moved two miles to the south of the bay at the mouth of the Picard river where we could put out a lot of chain and ride comfortably. We were not disappointed; when the next squall hit the radio was alive with vessels adrift, dragging their anchor through the crowd. Meanwhile we enjoyed quiet and beautiful sunsets.
We dragged our laundry and empty propane tank to town, only to discover that everything (including most bars and restaurants) was closed for Carnival. We threw back everything in the dinghy and went to watch the parade. It is done on a modest scale, 3 dogs to open, a group of dancing schoolgirls, the sound truck, the population of the village walking behind, and the "wilderness men" carrying vegetation and fruit to close.
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