Overnight to Trinidad

After more than a year and a half in the water, it's time to haul Alannastar and spend some time at "home". Trinidad is the choice for most cruisers in this area, and all three boats are heading there. The twins want to spend a couple more days on Union, so Conny and I travel together. It is the smoothest passage I have ever had, with wind on the beam and seas on the stern quarter. We average almost seven knots and actually have to shorten sail in the middle of the night just so that we don't approach the island before daylight. We time it right and enter the Boca one behind the other just at dawn. It is quite interesting with the muddy current streaming out into the blue water, and the standing waves are large enough to require vigilance at the helm in order to keep the boat straight. But, as soon as we get through the pass and into the bay, we are greeted by a pod of the largest dolphins I have ever seen - they don't seem to mind the dirty water at all. Welcome to Trinidad!

Alannastar on Passage (thanks Conny!)

 

Back to Union

When we leave Marie-Galante, the two Swede boats want to sail overnight to St Vincent. I don't want to go there, so I decide to sail to Dominica and spend the night flying the Q flag and then depart very early the next morning. This gives me an overnight to Union with plenty of time to get in during daylight the following day. It is a beautiful overnight sail with a full moon. As the sun is setting, I sit on the foredeck and admire the stunning beauty of the orange glow to the west and the moon rising to the east. On this course, I'm far enough away from the islands that I don't encounter any boats all night, and the full moon makes this the most relaxing night passage I have ever had. (Well, actually, the only relaxing night passage I have ever had.)

A Caribbean Shower gave me a Beautiful Rainbow

 

I get to Union, and I haven't even gotten out of my dinghy when I hear "Hi John, where have you been?" I love Union Island! It is truly nice to see old friends and experience down island friendliness.

 

While we are there, the Union Island football team has a match with the Canouan Island team. We all decide to travel on the team/fan "bus", which is a very large sailing catamaran. The Swedes had played the Union team last January, so there is a relationship there, and they appreciate our support. Although the Union team ends up losing by a goal, it is a great time, and the Canouan Islanders show us a lot of hospitality by giving us free rides from the dock to the other side of the island where the football pitch is located. I can't believe how lucky I am to be able to experience days like this!

These are the teams from last Winter's Match

A Canouan fan who loved Martin's camera