Exciting Tobago Regatta and exploding Carnival

JUMP SID JUMP !!!!!!! (Actually he's doing some repairs).
We had an incredible time at the race in Pigeon Point, Tobago. The first day we had 25 to 28 knots of wind with 10 foot seas, not something we would get Paradise into and I was really glad we did not race on Paradise, she was securely anchored. The last day of racing we got between two squalls and the wind picked up to 30 knots and then blew a full 33 knots healing the boat so far over that the jib scooped up water. At the end you'll find a short movie when we had the 33 knots of wind, it was really funny as Shawn saw it coming, but watch what happens to him. At the same time there was also an International kite surfing competition held and also the regatta for the local Bumboats (local fishing boats with sails). The parties after each race were fun, although a bit too late in the evening. The last night after the award ceremony Sid unfortunately fell and hurt his shoulder (compression on joint and bruised bone) and the sail home was a bit painful for him. Good thing was we had following seas and pulled only the jib out so it was not too much work sailing back. We realized that life on the mooring was too tough on Sid to get in and out of the dinghy sowe moved into a Slip at the Crews Inn Marina were he still is recuperating. He is getting better but still has a while to go.

In the mean time Carnival was in full swing. We went to Dimanche Gras which is the final of the King and Queen Costumes, Calypso and other competitions.This is a must see. The costumes are just amazing and can cost around 10 000 dollars plus by the time they are done. Some are 40 feet high and wide, just spectacular. (The following photos I found online as we were not allowed to take photos).

The Calypso music lyrics are about what's happening in politics and is very funny. Monday and Tuesday was Juvee and the parades. We had signed up with the Hash House Harrier Band and canceled due to Sid's shoulder and instead of chipping with the Hashers we sat on a stand along side the road where the Parade started and were able to see all the bands, where we would have just seen people sitting in the stands watching us chip by, so it worked out OK. Although we did chip for about 10 minutes with the Hashers as we had on the costumes. The Parade was fantastic, it was an explosion of colors as each Band was chipping by (chip = a walking shuffle step done to socca tunes), the music and happy carnival faces was electrifying. I took way over 300 photos plus film. (If you like to read about Carnival click on "Trinidad Carnival" or "Wikipedia Trinidad and Tobago Carnival". It was just such an incredible experience and makes you want to come back for another Carnival.

The marina emptied out the second day after Carnival and all is back to normal, meaning all Trinis are working again and you can actually get boat work done, nothing is on hold anymore, unless they tell you 'just now".

Last Sunday Shawn and Debby took us to a Trini cookout which was in the beautiful valley of St. Cruz just a bit north east of Port of Spain in the inland of Maracas Bay, beautiful area. The lime was held on a private property the owners let organizations use as a retreat. It's a 9 year old orange orchard with a beautiful gazibo. They had about 8 tables set up and each served a traditional Trini dish. The flavors were all yummy, we tried everything except the hot dogs and hamburgers, but then why would we eat them if we could choose from succulent BBQ pigs tail; believe me it tastes much better than it sound, pickled pigs feet (ceviche style), Oil Down which is a soup with pigs tail, yes pig again, but really yummy, pilow (local rice dish), jambalaya, jerk chicken with rice and ice cream. We were so full we didn't try anything else that came up. There was a clown entertaining the kids as well, but I think the adults had way more fun than the kids did. I took Sid for a walk through the orchard where I had found some cute puppies. As we played with the puppies two couples standing behind their car eating oranges started to talk to us and wanted to know if we were Trinis. Nope we are tourist; they immediately invited us to taste the juicy oranges, one called kings orange. It was the owners of the orchard with friends, just the nicest people. Marlene showed me around the orchard and showed me a star fruit tree, which they call five finger fruit. When we finally left they sent us off with a huge bag full of juicy oranges and five finger fruits.
I am just amazed how friendly Trinis are, we haven't been anywhere else where the locals are as friendly as here in Trinidad, they go out of their way to make you feel at home. Almost makes you want to stay and never leave.

I tried to download the photo story I made of the Carnival, unfortunately Internet connection is not very good here, but I found a CNN news clip, to view it click this sentence

Click on photos to enlarge:




















































Pigeon Point Tobago (click on photos to enlarge):



































4 days of intense racing:




































































Look at Shawn relaxing:








Then look what happens when you get too comfy!!! (Click on arrow to view)