Author Archives: Matt

Trinidad work day

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Wozers, what a busy day. Up at the crack of dawn after getting to the Hotel @ 2am.. so about 4 hrs of sleep.

So we didn’t do everything by the book, but so far so good. When you come Trinidad on a one way ticket you need to show your boat papers to clear in to the country at the airport, then report immediately to customs and immigration again at the marina. Well it was 2 am so we decided to drop our luggage at the boat on the way, another no no since you need to show up at customs with your luggage. We ended up having the hotel call the customs office since they didn’t ask when we knocked, so we woke him up and I sorta implied that we had no bags, so he said just come back tomorrow. So straight to the room and finish off the 6 pack we picked up on the way across town.

We were to splash at 6:30 am, got pretty close probably around 7ish it still floats and didn’t take on any water so thats all good. The sail guy was supposed to have the sails on the boat, they did not so we motored over to the marina and grabbed a ball and then back to the hotel before 10am to get our breakfast that came with our hotel room that we used for all of 4 hours. And a trip to immigration and again to customs that now said we needed some paperwork about when the boat was put back into the water.

We finally got in contact with the sail guy they delivered the sails and battens to the boat, damn they is heavy. We cut the battens to length with the jigsaw and Wayne put them all in, I put on the sailbag and lazy jacks, Christine unpacked and put made the boat liveable. It took the better part of the afternoon go get the boat fully dressed with all her canvas. I think we have most of the lines in the correct places.

The engine work that was done by the Phillipe’s crew at Catamaran Village was top notch, everything works and looks good. The new toilets are awesome. The only missing thing they didn’t hook the port side head up to the fresh water, so they were on the boat doing that while we were tackling the sails. In the process of using the heat gun to shrink wrap the fresh water connections, our inverter blew up, smoke and sparks filled the salon. Ugh, that means no blender drinks unless we can get that fixed.

With all those tasks, we also squeezed in a small provision run, and definitely some cold beverages. After several beverages and a shower we went exploring to find some dinner. We finally found a pizza joint, Joes Pizza, it was good or we were just happy, back to the boat and everyone passed out.

What a days work, it was a little to late to clear customs so we’ll be here another day and see what they say or want to do about blowing up the inverter.

Dallas from a MD80

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It’s definitely holiday season. Travel on a Wednesday is normally business travelers but the holiday season must be eminent.

Pay the damn baggage fees people or leave it at home.

That last minute attempt at shoving the worlds largest carry on in the overhead is good for no one. It don’t fit but you continue to try. First the wheels first then sideways, only to have it gate checked. The 30 mins it takes you to go against the grain while everyone else is trying to get to their seat makes that $25 dollars you saved worth it.

Christine and I found an Irish pub in Dallas. Cold beer and 1/2 a sammich while waiting on Wayne to make an appearance. We were almost last to board another completely full flight.

Some poor lady won’t take her seat, they have asked everyone to take a seat so they can close the doors. “My husband hasn’t made it on board yet and he was supposed to be here an hour before me”. All 200 of us just can’t wait to meet the man. Finally she gives in. I’m sure he’ll eventually show up at their destination. Only 7 bags had to be gate checked on this 2 hour trip to Miami.

Two pilots sitting in the row behind us. It’s always unnerving when it’s raining and you are about to take off. The nervous tapping foot of the pilot right behind Christine sure doesn’t help. We bounced through the clouds and the cold Smithicks at the Irish pub let me catch a good siesta, as the say in Miami. We is on our way to our next stop for more adult beverages.

Outbound and down

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Did we remember everything? That is always the question as we sit there waiting for the taxi to arrive. With 4 completely full suitcases you would think we couldn’t possibly need anything else. Last minute call to see if Wayne had any jello shot cups but we found some room in a backpack so we are all set

At the one mile mark from the airport, it dawns on me my shades that I had been meaning to get out of the car are still in the car. Doh! Looks like I’ll be sporting a fresh set of lenses from an airport somewhere.

We checked in at the curb. The nicest skycap was talking trash with everyone. The cowboys ahead of us whom were no doubt on their way to a rodeo asking where their horses were. The New Yorker that followed wanted none of the Texas humor. Christine rolled with him. Trinidad here we come. He was too busy to weigh the behemoth of a bag that we had packed with stuff for the boat. As it grazed the scale it registered 57 lbs but I know that it’s closer to 70lbs form our scale at the house. Only charged us for 2 extra bags at low rate of $30 each. A bargin when compared to shipping things to Trinidad that required a broker and minimum charge that exceeds the price of an airfare.

We are chillin in the Austin airport ready for that first cold beverage in Dallas to start the adventure off correctly.