Hoooly Dooooly

My 50 hour flight was broken up with a quick pit stop in New York. Was cool, got a taxi to the DHL office to pick up my autopilot that was in for repair. All good, bit of a rough neighbourhood but wasn't until I was waiting for the bus that I noticed I was the only white folk around including the many cars driving past, not even a Mexican! Very friendly people though on the bus I was getting a few strange looks but maybe I was paranoid, but it really looked like the streets from Sesame Street! Was bizarre to be in New York, busy joint that's for sure but I tell you everyone I spoke with asking for directions or whatever was super nice. I got the subway then into Manhattan and walked into Broadway, stuck my head into an Irish bar for a quick pint but I was that tired and just wanted to get back to see Julie I wasn't that enthused so grabbed another bus back to the airport and got on my flight to Trinidad then another onto Tobago getting back to Charlottville by lunchtime, happy days :)

The last week there has just flown by, catching back up with Julie and meeting a few new yachties and locals in the town, swimming, doing a few more boat jobs, having a beer then another swim. Our Finnish friends on "Ever After " and "KasteHelmi" arrived on the weekend and we went to a food festival and another day played a Finnish stick throwing game on the beach which involved a bit of Madagascan rum which was great fun followed by a fish BBQ. And then as quick as that it was the afternoon of the 21st, today and we are on our way to Trinidad to haul out. It has to be done but it's always dreaded. We left at 1400 this afternoon and had nice sailing for a couple of hours and then the wind has died and we are motoring. It's a 85nm trip so easy enough and we will get there tomorrow morning and start organising ourselves with paint ect and haul out the next day, let the games begin!!

For cruisers heading to Tobago-it's a great place! Charlottville especially is a really nice place to be. It's safe, great anchorage, all the basics you need are in the town, customs immigration, beer, veges, fresh water stream on the beach to shower and top up your tanks it's Hollywood. Diesel is also very easy and cheap, you park your dingy on the beach and straight accross from the gas station. I got 330ltrs for 560TT$ or $120aus, bloody bargain. I did filter it though with a Mr Funnel filter and there was a little bit of crud but I think it should be alright.