Good to go

We are not exactly champing at the bit to depart Trinidad, more
like licking on a gelato, which we just discovered is sold at
the ice cream shop directly in front of our boat. However, we
do think we will head north, off into the Caribbean, on Tuesday
morning. The weather forecast finally is favorable, the perpetual
small-craft advisories should come to an end.

It took a bit longer than we thought to wrap up all the work
we had done to the boat in our absence at Powerboats, so when
we were splashed, we went over to the very lovely CrewsInn marina
to clean up the boat after the six months it spent on the hard
in a working boat yard. Beaucoup dust, which looks a bit odd
on the sailing craft. The ¼-mile journey also gave us a chance
to test our newly acquired prop and our newly repaired radar/chartplotter.
After nearly three years of trying for the right repair, both
seem to be working perfectly.

Then the weather settled in—abysmally. Not as bad as in the
States, but a lot of wind, swell and rain. (As one of the locals
put it to us, Trinidad is having a wet dry season this year.)
Why go out in that? Can't think of a reason. This is probably
our last season in the Caribbean, why not take it easy, play
bridge and dominos, and generally enjoy the moment?

So that's what we have been doing for a week, and what many do
here all winter long. Chaguaramas, like Kemer in Turkey, is
a very cruiser friendly place. The ancient ruins are not as
spectacular, but we did enjoy seeing the Chaguaramas Military
and Aerospace Museum, which really gave us insights into the
importance of Trinidad in WWI and WWII. We would rate it as
can't-miss. Laurie did take a walk with a group to see the Bat
Cave, which involved climbing up a steep muddy slope in the twilight
and sliding down it in the dark. Interesting, if less than perfectly
satisfying.

This year, in keeping with our non-schedule, we will be bypassing
most of the Windwards and Leewards in order to have time to see
the Bahamas, which we have never really toured.