Happy New Year to all our readers
Stream
Darrell Jackson and Sarah Barnes
Thu 2 Jan 2014 13:33
31st January 2013 - New Years Eve
Arrival in Statia was an unusual and special experience as there was a reception committee on the quayside. A marquee, a band and drinks were awaiting arrivals, however not us, although we did shelter with them while the rain passed. It was for the second cruise ship of the year that has stopped at Statia in 2013. A big event for this small island that is not the normal tourist Caribbean destination but is a revelation for those who do stop.
We decided to be intrepid and with hiking boots on we set off to walk up to the dormant volcano crater.(The Quill) Walking up through the town was the easy part, although fairly steep. As we started on the hiking track we were joined by some cruise passengers who were dropped off by taxi. As we wandered we found out that there were only 300 on board and they were not really sure where they were: "we don't do itineraries, we just get off wherever the boat stops" stated a lady from Kent!
As we wandered along we encountered several hermit crabs rolling down the mountain side. These intrepid soldier crabs were on their way to the sea to replace their shells. The variety of shells the ones we saw points to the fact that they will use anything they find that they fit into, hopefully with some room to grow. Some were the size of a fist. Further up the mountain we came across the black snakes. Over a metre long and easily missed in the detritus Darrell even poked one with a stick to check it was a snake, it moved very quickly away! Apparently, these snakes are Red-bellied Racer snakes, but we never saw the bellies!
As the path got more tricky, steeper and not as easy to follow we left the cruise ship contingent behind and headed for the highest point of the crater, Mazinga. Scrambling and using ropes was not what Sarah had expected. But the sense of achievement and views were a prize worth having. The diversity of plants kept us interested all the way up, as did the smells. None of us expected coffee aromas and Darrell was convinced he was hallucinating until we all mentioned it. As well as cinnamon, balsam, hibiscus and occasionally a strange smell that reminded the boys of Quent (TCP). The inside of the crater is a full blown tropical rainforest, which made Sarah think of the journey to the centre of the earth, except we didn't see any dinosaurs.
We were all glad that we managed to get down to the road and took a short detour to look at the town. Adam found 'Cool Corner' a local bar and Chinese takeaway, apparently the locals prefer to take their food home rather than eat in restaurants. Then a wander down on stiff legs to the sea front for another beer and some wifi catch up, before back to the boat.
At last the boys tried some flying fish, marinaded in lime and salt water before covering in bread crumbs and cooking, served with a Greek salad. A fine meal to end the year and next time they are sailing across oceans they would definitely eat more.
The New Year in Statia is brought in at the end of a church service, with fine singing that could be heard on Stream. Then the bells ring it in accompanied by a cacophony of ship foghorns from all the oil tankers in the bay. Followed by partying all night and dreadful karaoke singing ( Adam States it is the only kind) which went on until 6 am.
Thanks to everyone who What'sApp and texted us new year messages they were happily received by all the crew.
As the old year ended with a major trek, the new year started with one. A walk around the mountain, with a stop off half way for the botanical gardens. Unfortunately, this had no tea rooms or bar! So it was again with relief we returned to the town and found Frankie's bar, complete with its DJ warming up for the night of partying ahead. I never realised it took so much to get the computer, drums, key boards and mixing deck all linked together. Adam was impressed by the tightest pink jeans we have ever seen a young lady wear, they were certainly eye catching. After a beer or two and some chips, we struggled down to the wifi bar to catch up. Here the boys learned the secret to a potent way of making Mojitos, while Sarah enjoyed a virgin Piña Colada. Adam says this version knocks the spots off the ones he sampled in The Hotel Nacional in Havana, Cuba.The cocktails reduced the leg pain, but unfortunately not the stiffness when we try to move!