Chaguaramas Bay, Trinidad
17 June 2019 | Chaguaramas, Trinidad
Philip Greetham
We had heard that it is risky sailing to Trinidad due to it's close proximity to Venezuela, and the risk of attack by pirates. Consequently I called the Granada Coast Guard and filed our travel plan with them, agreeing to notify the Trinidad Coast Guard on arrival. It being a 90 NM journey I didn't want to arrive at night so we left at 1700.
The first part of the passage was fabulous with 60% moon giving good visibility, good E wind on the beam and slight seas, allowing us to make good speed. But of course it never lasts. After midnight the wind dropped and moved more to the S (ahead); we went from 7 knots to 2 knots. Engines on. This passage is notorious for strong currents, so sure enough, we then had that against us. We motor-sailed arriving at noon, with no sign of pirates.
We didn't have any trouble contacting the Trinidad Coast Guard as they intercepted us bearing automatic weapons as we approached Chaguaramas! They took all our details and photographed the boat etc.
After clearing in with customs and immigration, and being abused by the security guard for turning up at lunch time, having been up all night, I slept and the others relaxed.
Chaguaramas is a large harbour (main pic) with a mixture of commercial vessels, including many tugs and cable layers (pic), as well as yards for sailing yachts, power boats for fishing (pic), and water taxis etc. Consequently, with the water traffic, the anchorage is a little rolly from the swell.
Once we were awake again, we sorted out the basic items like bus transport to town, supermarkets, wifi etc, and took the bus to Port of Spain (POS) for some of the local currency. We were warned to hang on to our bags very closely in POS.
Wanting to see some of the island before G&T left, we took a day tour to the S of the island to a "pitch lake". The lake made from pitch, or tar, is one of the few in the world. They mine it, process it, and then export it for road surfacing. It was spongy to walk on, and we had a guide because if you are not careful, you can end up sinking up to your armpits in tar! On the way back we called into a small Hindu temple, and passed though parts of Port of Spain. At the end of the day though, I can't say I'm impressed with Trinidad so far.
Having looked forward to Gary & Theresa's visit, it was over all too soon. We had a fabulous time with them, tons of laughs, (often at their expense seeing them getting in and out of the dinghy!) and will miss them. I'm sure they are looking forward to getting back to home luxuries, such as hot showers and air conditioning though!
Geri & I will be here for the wet season now and will haul out on to the land shortly to commence the annual maintenance work.