Preparations & Excursions in Saint Lucia

S/Y KO-KO
Haakon Dyremyhr / Ellen Bjerknæs
Thu 9 Jan 2014 16:45
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> On New Years Eve, we made a toast for 2014 & all the exotic experiences & fun that lie ahead of us. This will most certainly be a year and a half to remember!
> We started off provisioning & preparing the boat for our tour.
> Food & beverage for 6 people x 18 days demands good planning.
> We will have to learn to co-operate, tolerate, adjust, find our place & fit-in in a relatively small place, even though the boat is big. It will most definitely be a lesson in life as we go. Our aim is to get back here in 15 months with an experience for life, with fond memories from an almost overwhelming sailing adventure.
> During this week, we have also made time for pleasant trips around the island.
> Last Sunday we all went on a scuba diving/snorkeling tour down south.
> Ellen & Haakon took care of the scuba diving, Glenn & Anita did the snorkeling part with a visit to the nearest beach.
> Monday it was time for the security check with Chris from the ARC office, which we passed :) Haakon & Glenn worked on it for hours, while Ellen & Anita pampered themselves with SPA treatments before going on a big beverage shopping adventure. We returned with three food wagons full of stuff, escorted by 3 local male beauties.What a sight we were in the Marina! We´re soon all set to go!
> In the evening, all the participants of the World ARC were invited to a welcoming party, dressed up with our name badge on new World ARC 2014-15 T-shirts.
> Tuesday Skipper Haakon decided to stay onboard for more checks, whilst Ellen, Glenn & Anita were granted permission to go to the Treetop Adventure Park to do zip lining. And what an adventure it was!
> Never felt more stupid though, in a one-size-fits-all hair net inside yellow helmets, big gloves, feeling trapped in tightly fit harnesses. But what an experience! Zip lining over & in the rain forrest was great fun! Been there, done that.Yet another experience from the to-do list checked out:)
> For dinners, we have been dining in some really nice restaurants in & out of the Marina here in Rodney Bay, much thanks to Ellen & Haakon, who seem to know everything & everybody around here. Through them, Glenn & Anita have been introduced to this friendly Island in an excellent way.
> 2 days ago, Karl Otto & Maren finally arrived. All crew onboard for the first regatta!
> They are young experienced sailors, from whom we shall learn & observe during the next week of sailing.
> Yesterday we went to a full day introduction course on downwind sailing, what to do in places we will visit, and some do`s & don't´s while sailing.
> We also got to celebrate Ellen & Haakon´s 5th ann, and the two of them invited us all to a lonely dinner in a sushi restaurant here in the Marina. We wish them all the best for years to come :)
> Now: Only two days to go before it all starts.. We will be back!
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