October 27 – November 11, 2008 Tobago

October 27-28, 2009

Chaguaramas, Trinidad to Store Bay, Tobago

Time:

Mileage:

 

Leap of Faith took the lead, followed by Vision and Seaman’s Elixir. 

 

Approaching Entrada Point, Lynn called back to us on the VHF asking if we, too, were experiencing a mysterious thumping on the hull.  Laughingly she explained dolphins were escorting Leap through the cut, bumping the hull playfully.

 

Immediately, I went forward and although there was no bumping, sure enough there were porpoises, a dozen at least, mascots leading us through the water with another dozen trailing the boat in the blue glow of the under-water lights.  Suddenly, off the port bow, and energetic porpoise leapt from the water, completing a 360 degree flip before re-entering.  I could not help but laugh to which another dolphin responded by slapping the water with its tail.  Another laugh, another slap covered me in a fine mist of sea foam.

 

It was a beautiful night with brilliant stars and calm seas.  Store Bay is just as lovely as ever. 

 

October 31-November 6

 

Kevin joined us for his second visit.  Always fun to see him, Kevin had earned his scuba license specifically for this trip.  He and Steve dove twice at Courland Bay and twice at Speyside where they had the opportunity to see a brain coral rumored to be one of the largest in the world.  A tour of the island and a day in Scarborough hunting for souvenirs completed his visit.  Good times with a good friend.

 

November 7-11

 

Gabridash arrived.  How strange to see three PDQ’s on anchor.  When we first entered the Eastern Caribbean, we were the only Antares in the area.  Now it seems they are everywhere, easily recognized by fellowship of sailors.

 

We hung around Store bay awaiting the delivery of a new membrane for the Spectra Water-maker.   Although the part from shipped from Trinidad on Wednesday, the Tobago Post Office had not finished sorting the mail until late Friday afternoon.  Unable to pick it up, Steve counted the minutes until he could go to the Post Office on Monday.

 

It is so nice to have the water-maker working properly.  Living on land, we always took water for granted; turn on the tap and “Voila!”  When you are required to make your own water, not only do you become a conservationist, you also grow dependent on that magic little machine which produces the wonderful elixir.

Thankfully, the water made still made water that was acceptable for washing and flushing while Kevin was with us; our good boating friends kept us supplied with potable water. 

 

We shared farewell pizza with Leap of Faith and Gabridash before we left Store bay at 8:30 PM

 

Special note: November 8, 2008

 

Receiving news a cruising friend, Ken Peters, murdered in Venezuela, literally took the wind out of our sails, a senseless waste of life.  We first met him and his wife Cathy in 2005, Georgetown, Exuma and sailed into the Eastern Caribbean with them in 2006.  Those who had the privilege to know him, as incredibly bright, quick witted and consummate sailor, will always remember him.