We arrived here on Sunday the 23rd at about 1000. It seemed forever until we saw this rock sticking out of the ocean and it looked very desolate and foreboding from the sea. What could this island ever offer us? It has turned out to be one little gem in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean It has been such an interesting visit and really quite beautiful with very friendly, generous, people living here. Can't judge a book by its cover-that is another lesson.
On Sunday when we arrived the ferry service man was already offering us a ride into town. Immigration and customs said it was fine to come in and we would take care of all that on Mon. morning. Ends up that we checked in and out at the same time and are ready to go today. The ferry service man Keith and his brother run that , the fueling service, a tour guide service, a fishing business, a catering business, a diving operation and who knows what else? Keith and Craig work hard and will try hard to get us anything that we want. Keith is trying to get us some fresh tuna for our next leg to Brazil.
Sunday at noon we and Chessie crew all went into town to check out the place. Brown-Eyed girl was still here but getting ready to head out that afternoon. We said hello and bye to them on our way into town on the ferry.
Kalliope was taking the tour and their boat was on the mooring next to us with lots of airing out of clothing on lines. All of us were grateful to Annie' Place, the only local eatery that was open, who stayed open all day for us to relax, have some drinks and relax-- oh did I say to relax? How nice to be on firm land with someone other than the same crew members we have all been with for 10 days! (Matt could go on with that one)
We wanted to buy some tuna for dinner and asked Annie's daughter-in-law if we could buy some there. She showed us these marvelous tuna steaks and a tenderloin of tuna and our eyes and mouths were watering. We asked how much and she said don't worry just take them. Wow!! We couldn't believe her generosity. So Jutta and I divided them up and off to the boats we went happy as bugs in a rug.
As we headed back to the boats with Chessie to theirs we saw Ocean Jasper puttering along coming towards the anchorage. We were all so excited to see each other that we stayed on Chessie to welcome them and celebrate their arrival. Bob even was so excited he jumped into the water after putting the dinghy into the water. We had just heard from the ferry boat man that there was a shark who was stalking the boats and bumping into them so don't go swimming. So of course I was screaming for Bob to get out of the water. I thought we were about to see the remake of the movie "Jaws". Meanwhile Bob didn't hear us and was swimming around happily. Finally, Matt told him in a deep strong voice to get into the boat! Thank goodness it was alright and the shark was not around. That Bob must have an angel on his shoulder!
We even opened up the tenderloin of tuna-had to after I bragged about getting it for nothing- and all had sashimi with a wonderful sesame sauce that Jutta made. By now we were exhausted and ready for bed. Bob took us back to Crazy Horse and we were ever so grateful for our heads to fall on the pillow we just fell fast asleep with grins on faces. What a day! It was a nice ending of a sailing trip to an island in the middle of nowhere.
Rosemary, Bill and Matt