night time
17 January 2018 | soufiere, st. Lucia
night time
The inky blackness of night surrounds Mile High Dream. There is no moon and the clouds prevent the twinkling of stars far away.
“Is that a star I see in the distance?” I ask myself.
I watch it closely and the waving back and forth tells me it is another boat at anchorage with it’s masthead light glowing to let others know they are there.
We are tied to a mooring ball in Soufriere, St. Lucia. Today has been mix of sunshine and then lots of liquid sunshine (rain, heavy downpours). My fingers are crossed that it will clear off and we may keep the hatches open tonight to give us much needed airflow throughout the boat.
It really is not as dark as I have lead you to believe because the town is full of lights. Christmas lights still adorn the dock welcoming boats into town. The harbor is full of boats attached to mooring balls like we are. it is quiet with no loud music emanating from any of the local bars which is a nice respite compared to other nights. Our anchorage is a little rock and roily so it is hard enough to sleep without the blare of the local speakers system. It is still early so it may start up at anytime.
I am sailing with a family of three. It was originally planned as four but heir son was unable to join us so it is husband, wife and their college age daughter. They had a great time scuba diving today while I relaxed, read, did some of the never-ending boat projects, went into town and even did some snorkeling off the boat. The constant flow of power boats traveling back and forth is a little unnerving when snorkeling so I swam with my bright red inflatable buoy.
The harbor is part of this towns market place. People with hopes of helping you attach your boat to morning balls, selling you fish, bread, necklaces, carvings, land based excursion or even picking up garbage, fly around the harbor at max speed trying to be the first ones to catch the newly arriving boats. Young boy paddle up on paddle boards asking if they can take your trash into town for you. Most cruisers know well enough not to give them your garbage since once they are out of sight they just dump it overboard. If you have no garbage then they ask for cookies, cokes or other things to eat or drink. One even asked me for some wine for his mother. Uh, I don’t think so. It is quite amazing but it does get a little old after being asked if you want to buy some fresh fish for the tenth time today.
Fresh tuna was the main course along with local vegetables for tonight’s dinner.
Tomorrow is planned for land based exploration and checking out some working plantations. We are hoping it shapes up to be another wonderful day in paradise.