Still in Trinidad
Oriole
Sun 2 Jan 2005 15:55
On Boxing Day we sailed down to Monos Island, one
of the group at the north west tip of Trinidad. We spent a couple of days with
friends moored off their lovely holiday home where we joined their family
gathering. There are several of these homes dotted around the bays all of which
were well used throughout the holidays. We were taken on a tour of some of
these, perhaps needless to say, with good lubrication on the way. As
we left to sail back to Chagaramus we were presented with the keys for a car
which had been very generously left at the marina for our use. Trinidadian
hospitality knows no bounds.
Back to reality, John had his head in the bilge
again taking advantage of our time here for some general maintenance while Chris
has been busy with the varnish brush.
On Friday we headed for the highground of the
Northern Mountain Range to spend a night at the Asa Wright Nature Centre.
This is on an old coffee and cocoa plantation and we stayed in the old
plantation house. From the verandah the tropical rain forest
stretches out below into the distance and the vividly coloured
birds accomodatingly appear to be viewed while a rum punch is slipped
quietly into your hand. We were able to identfy over thirty different species
including a Golden Oriole which came to say "Hi" just as we were leaving.
Back in Chagaramus Chris was able to catch up with
home gossip from Anne James from Newton Ferrers. She and David have come
out to sail with some friends for a few weeks.
By the end of the week we hope to have received a
new winch motor from Denmark and be on our way north.