Something Completly Different

The last post was about something different. This one is about something completely different. We are back in Trinidad where Kalunamoo spends the summer out of the paths of any hurricanes. After we sailed from Bequia, we anchored in Tyrell Bay, Carriacou with the plan of going to the main island of Grenada. But as often happens, we spent a few more days at the anchorage and before we knew it our plans changed and we decided to sail directly to Trinidad from Carriacou. Most of the time in Carriacou was spent watching the sea birds feast around the boat. I could also mention that the sailing angle is better, the timing was great, and the weather was more cooperative from Carriacou, all of which was true, but in reality, we decided to save a re-visit to Grenada for another time.

The 112-mile sail from Carriacou was fast. Actually, too fast as we had to slow down in order to arrive after sunrise. With only the main and stay sail, we entered the Bocas, the cut between mainland Trinidad and Monos Island, just after sunrise. Not that it is difficult to enter in the dark, but it is more expensive. Expensive? Yes, because when you check into immigration and Customs and they ask what time you arrive, and if it was before 8AM, they will charge overtime. This is true even if you don’t go to Customs and Immigration to check in until after 8AM.

But there is no checking of actual arrival time – it’s the honor system. We are honest, mostly.

But as fate (actually the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard) would have it we could not lie. This was because we were “welcomed” into Trinidad with an honorary boarding by the TTCG while transiting the Boca De Monos. The boarding party, complete with AK 47’s and military camouflage, was very respectful as they searched Kalunamoo for stowaways, contraband and what not. Actually, we were not really offended. Knowing they have a job to do which eventually protects cruisers, we felt honored. How can one then lie to Immigration authorities about an arrival time. The over time cost 200 Trinidad Dollars ($29.00 USD), is the penalty for arriving early?

Perhaps, its Kalunamoo’s pirate ship design (by William Garden) that attracts so much official attention like this. In any case it is almost routine. We were last boarded like this in St Martin. We were also boarded in Ft. Pierce Florida. A small price to pay to keep us honest, mostly.

We did eventually go to Immigration and Customs, fill out multiple forms with carbon paper between them and officially entered Trinidad and Tobago officially. Actually, if you go to Tobago (which is the same country) there are more forms to fill out also.

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After two days at a mooring, in Chaguaramas, we were hauled and put on the hard in the Power Boats yard. That ended voyage #14. Trinidad to Trinidad covering 868 miles and 13 ports. It seems like we were just here. It was actually only 6 months ago. Seeing cruisers we know, sundowners on the dock, pot luck BBQ’s, Wheel House dinners, evening pigeon flyovers, doubles and jam sessions are all part of the Trinidad scene. As far as Kalunamoo: Insurance inspection of the boat, some minor repairs and maintenance will be the order of the summer.

But what Iwrote above is not the subject of this post: Something Completely Different. The following is.

We came in early this year as doctors await my return to New York to continue their insistence, and my concurrence, to remove a kidney stone. It is one of those things that can really disrupt a good night’s sleep. And, after all, what is medical insurance for if you don’t take advantage of it. So, we will be off the boat until mid-September, and doing somethings completely different.

Family and friends will be visited. The grandkids will be reintroduced to their grandparents. The sun will be setting around the time we usually head to bed. The cold of summer air conditioning will require heavy clothing in restaurants and theaters. The daily ritual of starting the electric generator, checking the anticipated weather, making sure we haven’t dragged onto shoals and reefs, the choice of beaches to swim at or the need to make it a day of provisioning will be suspended until our return onboard. Long overnight passages, or decisions to reef or not, or moving to a less rolly anchorage will not have to be faced. This is all tolerable while away from Kalunamoo and is the “cost of doing business” when ashore.

In the end we will have a good time. We even have planned a river cruise on the Mississippi so we won’t forget what being afloat is like. I’m wondering if while driving our rental car we’ll experience what seems like routine on Kalunamoo. Will we be stopped by road authorities and searched for stowaways, contraband or what not? If so, we’ll feel at home.