Tobago - Trinidad
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The Tobago island groove is very enticing. It is a very easy life: kitesurfing, liming, socialising with other sailors, tending Blue Bie and enjoying the island cuisine. This life could go on forever and the thought of staying here for half a year more than once crossed my mind. But I see so many expatriates here that have no aim in life other than partying and alcohol that I rather move on, exploring other countries. Or as a friend wrote to me: If you don’t go forwards you go backwards!
My kitesurfing groove is interrupted by a German couple marrying on the island. I am taking them and their wedding party of ten on a sunset tour with Blue Bie. We all enjoy it very much – not the least Blue Bie who has been on anchor for more than four weeks. The weather has been pretty wet lately and it has been pouring on their wedding day. Luckily the reverend and the restaurant are flexible and they can postpone the ceremony to a beautifully sunny day. Just imagine a wedding ceremony under dripping palm trees;)
Slowly Christmas is drawing nearer and the preparations start all over the island. I am celebrating Christmas first with other sailors, expats, tourist and locals in Bago’s beach bar, then on the afternoon of Christmas Eve with Evi and Wolfgang at a beach party and finally on Christmas Eve with Evi and Wolfgang in a beautifully decorated restaurant. They are two teachers from Austria who circumnavigate the world with their Wharram catamaran Sleipnir 2 (www.sleipnir2.at) during a three year sabbatical and we will hopefully meet a few more times in the weeks to come. I have everything this Christmas: parties and quite hours think of my family and friends, however far away they are. Did I think, I will be lonely on Christmas? It takes me nearly all Christmas Day to say goodbye to the many friends I have made in Tobago. It’s a great place and who knows when I will be back!
Arriving in Chaguaramas, I am greeted by Jean-Yves and Bernadette, who have delivered Blue Bie on behalf of the previous owner from Australia. It feels like meeting old friends. I am shopping in the many chandleries of Chaguaramas to replenish my stocks. Good that I don’t need any repairs since all workshops are closed between Christmas and New Year. I am celebrating New Years Eve with three other crews, whom I know from Tobago, on a catamaran. Everyone brings a dish and we have a very international cuisine from Ireland, England, Austria, South Africa, Israel and Switzerland.
Israel?!? I have met Nila, a very attractive Israeli lady, who has delivered a Swiss flagged catamaran from Cape Town to Trinidad. Since her boat is going to warranty work, she is looking for new passage. We immediately get along very well and feel quite attracted to each other. After a test sail we decide to sail together. Some times, it just works out and the new year will bring quite a new life to Blue Bie.