Beach Trip - 22 March 2024.
The day started well with clear skies and we had fruit, cereal and toast for breakfast. We had decided we would go to Tobago Island for the day and get the 11.00am ferry which goes from the marina. It only takes 30 minutes.
Alex, the agent came with another computer expert to see if they could fix my computer. He fiddled around and we tried my other router but could not get it working. However, it would work with an ethernet cable and so if I have a long enough lead and an adapter I can run a cable from the router to my computer. Not ideal but a fix to make it work at least.
We left about 10.30am to catch the ferry but on arrival we were told it was full! We were a little shocked as we had seen the ferry leaving the marina before and it had not been full. We therefore retreated to the café for a coffee and I suggested we got a taxi to the Veracruz beach which was the nearest beach some 30 minutes away. As we had packed for swimming and snorkelling this seemed a good idea. We found an Uber and headed off to the beach.
Our route took us along the causeway and we could see either side of it with other marinas and boats at anchor and then a large bridge went over the channel leading to the Miraflores locks. It was odd that we came by with Stormbird a few days ago. Once over the bridge we went along the coast for about 10 km through semi jungle to the Veracruz Beach. It was quite a long beach but had dark coloured sand and where we were dropped off it did not look easy to swim. In fact, there was a meeting of a gaggle of pelicans. We wondered along and things improved and we found a restaurant called the Sunset Beach Resort which had tables and hammocks with shade on the edge of the beach. It had a bar and restaurant and a games room in its main building.
The beach stretched out some way and you could see other bars and shacks on its shore. About half a mile out from the beach was an Island with a reef behind and you could see tankers anchored out at sea no doubt waiting for a transit date or cargo. There were also a number of Islands in the distance.
We had a drink to start with and then ordered some lunch. A number went for a swim and although the water was rather muddy and not clear there were a lot of birds fishing in the bay so it must have been relatively clean. You could see the pelicans and other birds diving in to catch fish. We spent a pleasant few hours drinking and eating and resting before we caught cabs back.
Mark’s friends were due to come over to see Stormbird, but someone was not well and we will see them tomorrow for a barbecue. On our return we cleaned the deck to remove the workmen dust etc and filled the water tanks. Mark cooked a delicious fish Chowder which we had with sweet potato mash and broccoli.
It had been nice to get away from the boat for a day and chill.
Opportunity for any Readers/Sailors.
In late May 2024 we shall be in the Marquesas in French Polynesia, and we will then move through to the Tuamotu’s before getting to Tahiti about the end of July 2024. There may be some space on Stormbird during this period should any sailor/reader be interested in joining for this period or part of it in what must be one of the most distant and beautiful places in the world. If there is any interest do email me at hine.nick9@gmail.com
The blog will continue as we head off to Panama and beyond.
If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com I can only upload one picture a day and visit our website www.stormbirdgoesglobal.co.uk