Skylark in her new home
24 June 2012 | Chaguaramas Bay, Trinidad
Elizabeth
Lat/Lon is updated for those interested.
We are settled in at our slip at Coral Cove Marina in Chaguaramas Bay, Trinidad. It’s a bit surreal being here. We are in the northwest part of the country, not too far from the major city of Port of Spain. Although Luna will be limited to the marina, we’ll have access to lots of places. There’s a good bus system here and I’ll be able to do some shopping on my own. The buses are similar to other West Indian buses, or vans, typically there’s nothing written on them but if you’re on the side of the road and stick your hand out, they’ll stop for you. Ask the driver if they’re going where you want to go and if so, climb on board. If someone asks you how many people can fit on a maxi taxi in the Caribbean, the answer is “One more”. They pile in. The fare is dirt cheap but you pay again every time you get off and on. Usually it’s the equivalent of $1.50 US one way. When you want to stop, in other Islands you just say “Driver, stop here”. But in Trini we understand there’s a button you push to exit when you want to be let off.
On our dock, we are surrounded by an English family who have been cruising for 5 years, a New Zealand couple, several Americans, a S. African couple who have also been out for many years who we met in Bequia, a couple from Canada (though the husband is Brazilian) and we understand an Aussie is around here somewhere. We said goodbye to our Polish friends who leave for Poland tomorrow and are nearby on the hard (their boat is on stilts and out of the water), and I feel certain there are other interesting people we’ve yet to meet. Everyone we've met thus far has been great. Our friends on Just Imagine and Miclo III are at different marinas but not too far and within dinghy or walking distance. In this photo, Skylark is toward the end, 2nd to last one.