Tin Tin arrived in Roadtown after a 90 mile overnight motor with barely enough wind to raise the flags.
I had called ahead to book a marina berth at Village Cay, where Laros had been berthed in 2007.
On arrival we were shocked to see the chaos of wrecked yachts at crazy angles and masts poking out of the water. However we eventually found our berth and went to check in. The marina office was horrified to find that we had not yet cleared Customs and insisted that we leave our berth immediately and go round to the ferry dock.
This felt immensely annoying - first time such stupid bureaucracy has got to me for at least two days! However they insisted that both we and they would face US$10,000 fines if we mentioned that we had tied up at their pontoon.
So with teeth gritted we negotiated our way out of a tight space, and found the ferry dock. I'd been calling on VHF to get guidance but had heard nothing back. We tied up at a ferry dock, and bearing in mind that Customs closes at 16:30 I raced to deal with formalities.
My reception was brusque and smelt of jobsworth. It took me about an hour and a half to get signed in at all the offices, especially since the immigration refused to deal with me until the passengers from two ferries from the USA had been processed through everything. We motored away from the ferry dock steaming with annoyance, and tied up again at our Village Cay berth. There's no electricity laid on yet but apparently there is water. The little restaurant looks OK, and there's a little pool, but it's US$86 per night, which is expensive.
Anyway we are now tied up, G&T in hand, getting some perspective by firstly catching up on WhatsApp news from Kate & Mark who are volunteering as doctors in Tanzania, and then feeling too far away from home as we learn of medical problems for my parents, fortunately now being handled by my dear brothers and sister.
Now we have a couple of days to do laundry and stock up on fresh food as we await arrival of two groups of good friends who are coming to join us over the next month.
Then the plan is to return home mid March for a month before taking an expedition to the Turks& Caicos Islands, folllowed by a visit to Cuba.
Then it will be time to lay Tin stun up for the hurricane season again, and I'm delighted that Justin has kindly offered to help me with that delivery trip.
-- Best regards
Paul
J. Paul Stephens
1 comment:
English friends who have a son, daughter-in-law and grand-daughter living and working in Trinidad encounter the same jobs-worth attitude, racial prejudice every time they enter/leave the country.
Sad as,like yourselves, they are some of the most encompassing, non-racial people going.
I guess it takes all sorts, Paul and biting your tongue is the best and probably only option.
Safe sailing and let us know when you're back in the UK for a catch-up.
Best, the Wests,
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