In Trinidad

Wednesday, Jan 11, I boarded a red eye to Miami and then another flight to Port of Spain, Trinidad. After explaining to immigration that I did not have a return ticket but did have a boat just in case, then a quick stop for a Digicell SIM card for my iPhone, I grabbed my luggage and shuffled through customs. The fellow at the X-ray machine questioned what I had in the surf board bag. When I explained they were doors for my boat, he sent me to the customs office for paperwork and told me to stop by the other customs office near the marine before stopping at the boat. My pre-arranged ride was there to meet me holding a sign with 'Windarra written on it. He was a nice fellow, gave me a tour on the way. We even stopped at the only Starbucks in the Caribbean but they were all out of Trinidad cups. The official at the customs office verified that I did indeed have doors and sent me on.

Windarra is in the hard with a tent on top. Now I also have an air conditioner over one of the hatches in the salon to cool the boat down making it so much easier to work inside. She also has new bottom paint.

For the first few days I have an apartment here in the marina. It is basic but it includes a nice shower and a small kitchen and cable TV as a special bonus. Monday I will move onto the boat for a few days until another apartment opens up. Our friends from Frannie B, Ned and Carol, are here as well and they have been showing me around. This evening a watched the Seahawks game and joined in the cruiser BBQ.

I have been going through our food stores and cleaning. Some items went into the trash, others to the laundry room (by the book exchange) and a few items I will use while I am here such as the macaroni and cheese I found today.