Man of War Bay, Tobago
Author: Shirlz
Thursday, 27 December 2012 For the first couple of days a big rolling swell made getting ashore a bit risky for me in my light little dinghy but Angus and Ruth on ‘Do It’ were anchored nearby and very helpfully gave me a ride in their powerful inflatable so that I was able to clear with Customs and Immigration. I had spent some time in Tobago in 2003 and not much seemed to have changed.
Christmas day saw virtually all the cruisers getting together ashore for a tasty buffet in a waterfront restaurant. It was a good chance to meet the yotties and the food was excellent, the beer flowed, an ice-bucket was rustled up for my bottle of champers and the meal was rounded off with some delicious ‘black cake’ and a rousing cheer for the chef. Yesterday I met up with David and Chrissie from ‘Shady Lady’ who I had last seen in Jacaré. They took me to visit friends of theirs who have a house up the hill. They were busy fencing a chicken coop so that they could collect a few of the wild chickens that roam all over the village. I don’t think the birds were too happy about having their wings clipped and suddenly finding themselves in captivity. Later in the afternoon we were taken higher up the hill to have a look at a very grand but unfinished house perched high over the bay with magnificent views. A lemon tree clings precariously to the steeply sloping back garden and we were generously showered with a gift of lemons. Then coconuts had to be cut down from way up in the trees and cracked on a rock so that the delicious juice could be slurped. Bunches of fragrant bay leaves added to the haul. Then back down to the shore for some liming on the dock before I was able to tactfully extricate myself and get back to the boat. It was an interesting introduction to the friendly locals.
Tuesday, 1 January 2013 After the lazy time I spent in Guyana I have resolved to be a bit more active and do some walking. I couldn’t be in a better place for it – not too hot, plenty of quiet tracks with spectacular views and birds, no venomous snakes. No excuses. Pirate’s beach is close to the anchorage and can be reached by dinghy but there is also an interesting walk that winds along the cliffs past the village and then descends steeply via concrete steps to the exquisite small beach. The steps are perfect for my fitness regime and the plan is to do them until I can make it to the top without having to make use of any of the thoughtfully placed benches for a breather. Saturday, 5 Jan 2013
I took the bus to Scarborough yesterday. It follows a spectacular, steep and hairpinned route through the hills and then follows the windward coast close to the sea. A few hours spent in town doing some desultory sightseeing and treating myself to a luxury icecream (red forest berries on hazlenut cream), I quickly stocked up with a few essentials at Penny Savers and headed back to the bus station in a little bit of a rush worried that I might miss the 12:30 bus and have to wait 2 hours for the next one. But, no panic, my bus only set off at 13:25 after some confusion about a missing driver. Tuesday, 8 January 2013
The dinghy dock can get quite crowded and there is usually a bit of a swell running which moves the flock about, shoving some under the dock where they can get trapped when the tide rises. I prefer to haul Bokkom out of the water and have found a safe spot to stow her.
Today I walked to the top of Flagstaff Hill. A good alternative to the steps at Pirate Cove for my fitness campaign. The road climbs and twists steeply up above the village and then runs along at an easier gradient along the top of a ridge. All the way a dense profusion of trees – mango, breadfruit, banana and many others unknown to me. Most of the big trees support massive epiphytes some of which display spectacular pink and blue flowers.
Birdsong all around. Occasionally I was able to spot some shy Chacalacas flying from tree to tree. Once a flock of bright green parrots flew across the road a short way ahead of me and settled in a mango tree. Probably planning to feast on the mangos which were hanging heavily too high for me to reach. Noisy black Ani’s voiced their displeasure at being disturbed. The view from the top of the hill was spectacular. 20 knots of wind today was kicking up white horses out there. I’ll wait a few days before heading on to Trinidad.
January 21st, 2013 at 11:15
Cara Shirley, estamos acompanhando as tuas navegadas.
Ficamos felizes por sabermos que estas bem.
Estamos com nosso veleiro em Paraty.
Saudades
Viviane e Rubia