Itaparica CachoeiradeTororo
ratCATcher
Andre and Alison Stroebel
Sun 17 Jul 2011 19:12
Itaparica - Cachoeira De Tororo
Well as you can see we are still in Itaparica. We sailed across to Pier
Salvador, one of the marina's on the Salvador coast last week. The intention
was to restock for the trip to Tobago, clear out and leave.
The re-supply shopping is fun and a major pain due to not having transport
etc. André, Nicci (from Iza) and I caught the bus to one of the large
wholesalers we had investigated on our last Salvador visit. Rodrigues is one
of four main ones in the area and proved to have the largest range with
competitive prices. So armed with shopping bags we hit the area.
We had not seen Sao Joaquim market and decided to stop there first for some
of the items. Sao Joaquim covers about a square kilometre and is a rabbit
warren of tiny stalls selling just about anything, from live meat (yes live)
to vegetables, household goods and alcohol.
We had fun exploring and getting a few items at ridiculous prices. We both
bought a hand carved mortar and pestle about the size of a soup bowl in
beautiful grained wood for R$10 (about R40).
From there we walked to Centro Sul another wholesaler around the corner fromRodrigues. They had the largest selection of dairy and cheese products. All
we have been able to find cheese wise so far here is Parmasan and processed
cheese. Cheddar is scarce and very expensive. We did get a hard cheese from
Centro Sul that does not have to be refrigerated, great for the boat.
We finally hit Rodrigues and about two hours later with trolleys full we
exited. Getting back to the boat was the challenge as we left the shop a
persistent taxi driver insisted we go with him. We explained we were 3
people with two overflowing trolleys; he confidently assured us "No
problemo". We assumed he was one of the combi drivers to be so sure about
the space. We had to start giggling when he led us to a small little car and
proceeded to pack the boot with our shopping. When the boot was full he
started packing the back seat. We kept telling him there was no way it was
going to work, did he understand 3 people. We got the standard reply
"Tranquiel no problemo". The back seat was finally packed to the roof with a
small area about one third of the seat left open. Nicci and I had the
giggles this was going to be a challenge!! Andre was ushered to the front.
Nicci and I squashed in, finally fitting in with her on my lap. There was no
wasted time where the driver was concerned, we had no sooner sat when the
doors were closed and we were off, so all the wriggling and adjusting with
Nicci and I took place with the car underway, all three of us cackling at
the comments and contortions to get settled. See pictures attached.
We had planned to move the boats to Terminal Nautica the following day and
fill with fuel and sign out. When we got back Nicci discovered her family in
South Africa had been trying to contact her. Her beautiful little niece
Chloe had been killed! They decided she was to fly home to be with her
family and we decided to wait for them as our plan had been to travel
together as we had been all up the coast. So back to Itaparica we went.
We decided to take advantage of the delay and sailed up to a nearby
waterfall; Cachoeira De Itororo, on Ilha Matarandiba; a tiny island between
Ilha Itaparica and the mainland. The anchorage is completely calm, the only
sound being the sound of the waterfall. Despite recent rains the waterfall
isn't very big but is said to be impressive after big rains.
We anchored and took the dinghy to the beach. The water from the fall is
cool and clear, the beach a small area surrounded by mangrove and is only
visible at low tide.
We had planned a beach braai and brought all the necessary equipment from
Itaparica. A quick trip back to the boat to get meat, salads, charcoal and
the rest and at about 16h00 we set everything up and started the fire. The
setting was beautiful and we watched the sunset, showered under the
waterfall and watched the water rising at an alarming rate. However my chefs
timing was perfect, as he decided the food was done the water lapped over
the rock holding the braai grid and extinguished the fire. Everything was
quickly packed back into the dingy and with water lapping around out ankles
we head back to the boat with our dinner.
Early the next morning we set off back to Itaparica, we moored alongside the
jetty to refill our tanks with the fresh mineral water of the island and
wash the boat down. We found we had to do a complete water tank washout as
the rainwater we had used previously had been growing, yuk!!
André has felt a "wobble" in the steering on the way out and decided to dive
down to check the props. ON inspection he found the port one was loose!
Horrors! So the planned trip to Salvador was cancelled and instead we had to
put the boat back on the sandbank the next day.
The grounding was uneventful and as the tide went out at about 11h00 the
next morning Rat catcher was left standing high and dry on the sand once
again. Andre stripped and cleaned the prop. I was amazed to see the number
of barnacles in the works. The little buggers get in everywhere. All
stripped cleaned and retightened we were relieved to see there was nothing
broken, it seems it's the "normal" wear and tear that causes the current
movement.
We have started calling Tobago "the holy land" as both we and Iza have so
many things we need to have done, or need to buy, or need sorted out that we
have pinned on Tobago, it has to be the yachting land of spares and repairs.
Hahaha Well we are hoping so!!
So Nicci arrived home night before last and we see the next weather window
to start our journey north should be arriving on Wed. So Monday we will move
across to Salvador again, pick up our chart plotter, which once again had to
be sent to Sao Paulo, re-install it. Buy our fresh produce, refuel and clear
out ready to leave on Wednesday.
The trip to Tobago will take about 20 days, non stop, weather permitting. I
will keep you all informed.
While here in Itaparica we caught up on odd jobs like oiling the leather on
the spreaders up the mast. I LOVE climbing the mast, see pictures. I also
practiced some baking and made my first "onboard" banana bread and
crunchies. Yum they worked. Pictures attached. I promise no Pop corn chicken
in these...
Sorry all I can't gvet photos to load and we are at sea now will post them later...
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