Full Boat

So it’s been back in the land of Trini. . . where doubles have been ever so abundant in the mornings. We spent a week fixing up the boat and getting her back on the water. Anchored outside of Peaks, she looks as good as ever floating back on the water. She bobs up and down, eager to lift her sails again. But alas, not just yet. . .

The newest member to arrive aboard Jangles. . . the newest slave crew. . . is Alexandra Pennicot (my brother’s ever so lovely girlfriend). So now up to 4 girls to 2 men.  . . to the men on board, we salute you. Alex arrived early in the morning, and with the excitement of seeing my brother, the jetlag stayed away for a bit. We went straight to West Mall to get my brother a haircut and a shave as Alex’s first words to him were, “You look scary.” My brother looked like a completely different person once he was done. . . they will definitely I.D him now! Josh tried to keep Alex up as long as possible to help with jetlag, but that battle was soon lost.

Waiting at the airport

All the luggage!

We woke them both up eventually for dinnertime. We all went through the showers and got ready to head to Crews Inn for dinner.

Alex and Josh

Alex and I

Alex was getting used to the motion of the ocean now, and didn’t need to take a seasick pill in the mornings anymore. Excitement was flowing as Friday was nearing closer. My mother and sister would arrive back from South Africa on Friday night. To pass the time, we went to Movietown to see the new movie, Taken 2. We had dinner at Ruby Tuesdays before going to the movie. Just as we finished dinner we looked at our watches and saw that it was movie time! The cinema was packed with people, as it was the first day opening of the movie. We managed to squeeze into our seats as the film started rolling. It was a great movie! For those of you who have seen Taken one, usually the sequels aren’t nearly as good as the first, but this movie kept up the reputation that the first one built.

Ruby Tuesdays

Thursday night, we were invited by a South African couple, whom we had met in Antigua, to a cruisers barbecue. There were four South African boats that went. I found out that the one couple there, was moored next to our boat in Knysna two years ago. . . what a small world!! After dinner, Alex, Josh and I took a stroll back to the boat for some more ‘The Walking Dead.’

Friday morning was cleaning day. We all got assigned tasks and got to it. I washed walls, Joshua polished wood and Alex helped with everything else. After what felt like hours slaving over a cloth and bucket of soapy water, the boat was clean enough for the arrival of my mother and sister. My dad went to the airport to fetch them up, so Alex and I got cooking. We made brownies as well as cooked the lasagnas’ and made salad for dinner. We were sitting and watching another episode of “The Walking Dead,” when my brother said they are here. We looked outside and saw people walking down the dock with a LOT of luggage. . . you would think four people were arriving instead of two. It was great to see my mom and sister again and we all caught up over dinner. After dinner, my mom started pulling out presents for everyone (I felt like a little kid at Christmas as I kept on being handed present after present.) All of my friends in South Africa had sent things for me, and my other mother (my mother’s best friend) sent me a big bag of presents too! We got showered with all of these South African treats, and even a packet of my favourite chips: sweet chilli doritoes!! Once the hype had settles down, two very jetlagged passengers decided to call it a night. The rest of us followed suit shortly after.

We had a rude awakening around 2 am as we heard a massive thud as the sugarscoops bashed into the pier. The swell had pushed us into the dock. Fortunately no damage was done. After some adjustments were made to the mooring ropes my mom and I went back to bed but my dad sat outside for a while, making sure we weren’t going to hit again.

We took Alex to the wheelhouse on Saturday night for Shark n Bake. She loved it. . . who wouldn't? It has a different taste but it is very nice, gotta try it someday!

At the wheelhouse

Two lovebirds

Jesse with his sister and nephew

On Sunday we were kindly invited by our friend Jesse to go to Maracas Beach with him and his family. We left the boat at 7am and met up with him in town. After a long windy road up a lush green mountainous area, we stopped at a place to buy some “Trini treats.” We bought some pineapple chow (pineapple chunks with garlic, salt, pepper, local spice, cilantra) as well as some peanut brittle, coconut sweets and various other items. We continued on this long road, until a beach appeared to our left. We stopped at various shops asking for paper plates, and third time lucky! We went to a little bay and all jumped straight into the ocean! The cool water was much needed after the Trini heat. We swam for ages before our stomachs started grumbling. We had chicken roti for lunch, which Jesse’s mom had kindly began cooking for us all since 3 am that morning! It was very delicious; I especially loved the chana (chickpeas and potato in a curry spice). We sat and ate as we watched everyone playing beach cricket, with Jesse, my dad, Josh and even Rebecca joining in. We had a great day with Jesse and his family; we were so blessed to have been invited to that. Thanks for a great day Jesse and family!

Beach

Dad, Jesse, me, Rebecca

So we’re a full boat now. . . 6 passengers. Let’s see where we go next. . .