A red sky at night. A sailor's delight (Scarlet Ibis, Caroni Swamp) |
We really like Trinidad. It has character, is self-reliant and industrious. Undoubtedly there are safety and security issues (check SmartTraveller) but on the whole, people are friendly and obliging. We found YSATT and Trinidad-Cruisers websites very helpful. Jesse James, Members Only Maxi Taxis, offers regular shopping runs as well as organised tours of the island from our boatyard. He is also an Ocean Cruising Club (award winning) Host and a designated Agent, offering assistance with clearance preparation. We should have used his services on entry. Trinidad now requires Visa entry for Australian citizens. On presenting to Immigration, we were admonished for not having arranged one beforehand, then thankfully, a costly, limited stay visa arranged on-the-spot. We were warned not to overstay. On departure, GS was the subject of two security checks in the hour before boarding. She blames her backpack, always stuffed too full of computer & boat electronics.
Now that we are home, a quick fact check on SmartTraveller reveals that T&T does not have an office in Australia. You are thoughtfully advised to travel to the nearest office - in China! However, not all is lost. We are officially advised: “You don't need a visa if your visit is for tourism for less than 90 days. However, you'll need to pay a visa waiver fee to Immigration Services when you arrive.” Let’s see how that goes! I suspect déjà vu. So, without further ado, it's time to present our end of season tally:
End of Season 13: Our figures for 2023 came in as follows:
From: Deltaville, Virginia USA Lat/Long: 37:33.116N
76:19.817W Date/Time: 16/02/23: 0930
To: Chaguaramas, Trinidad Lat/Long: 10:40.993N 61:38.029W
Date/Time:
23/08/23: 0915
Time Taken: (this year): 512.5 hrs Distance:
(this year): 3171nm
Distance Total: (since 2008): 28,282nm
Weather: From skating on ice along the ICW
to dodging seasonal depressions in the Caribbean, we had it all again this
year. Really had to keep our eyes on the
weather, although predictions often came as forecast. We used our new Iridium Go. Particularly
helpful as we didn’t always have internet or even a phone. Just
in case you think we’ve been moaning about the weather just a wee bit too much,
I shall leave you with Noonsite observations for Caribbean weather (3 Mar
2023): “unsettled weather in the Caribbean; unusual, relentless winds and
squalls making it challenging to move”. Yep. That about covers it!
Fastest Speed: We moved with some haste despite challenging
weather. It was not the perfect
Caribbean weather for guests, often limiting where we could go & what we
could do. But who could have predicted
that – on a boat? Needless to say, lots
of boat gear gasped a last breath under the stress, so too much time was spent fixing
stuff. And guaranteed, always in challenging
places!
Farewell Dinner & Mr Lozza's Birthday Party |