Turks and Caicos to St. Thomas
Connie's Log 31 August 2002 - SATURDAY
This is just nice. The hotel we found on Providencials that would accept Puck is modest, but the view is a picture postcard of blue and green water just beyond a marina and regiment of palm trees. And the sea breeze turns the hot temperatures into idle comfort.
Our stay in the Turks and Caicos has been a genuine pleasure. Christa LaRoux and her husband Richard Carlson have been accommodating to excess. After our brief reception and processing by friendly, soft-spoken customs officials, Christa and Richard brought an old Toyota for us to use while here. We bought dinner, and the next day, they hosted lunch on their 48' catamaran, Take Two. We're here in the Turks and Caicos for two reasons: to explore the possibility of a business relationship with Christa and Richard, and to look over Take Two for possible purchase. It's really too expensive for us and I felt a little guilty letting them think we might actually buy it, but we had made no promises.
At dinner we learned that this very morning they had been approached by a small, but global company interested in doing the same business we are. Not great news, but we aren't too discouraged.
Though I am still envious of people who don't suffer from motion sickness, today's sailing was really great. After a brief squall soaked everyone, we stopped for lunch and snorkeling. Sand dollars littered the sandy bottom, some fifteen feet below, as though Neptune had scattered them for collecting. Among the sparse distribution of grass tufts and coral I spotted a conch shell. Brian plucked it from the bottom and handed it to me. Just inside the ruffled edge a luminous blue and yellow fish, smaller than a hummingbird's tail, darted back and forth. Seth and Brian found another conch and placed it on the swim step for later examination, but Richard spotted a five or six inch fish gasping for breath inside the shell so they quickly returned fish and condo to the water.
That evening we drove to a beach-side home where Christa and Richard are house-sitting. Seth paddled a kayak along the shoreline behind the house while Richard barbequed lobster tails and steak for dinner.
Of course this is me, and even I can find something wrong with this day. I wish I could share it with my family. Almost hourly some activity will arise that I long to be sharing with one or another of them. Sadly, phone calls are very expensive and phone lines busy, and Internet access difficult to find. I can hardly wait for all of them to come visit.
Tomorrow we make our last hop to the USVI. Actually two hops. The US Government has decided for safety, general aviation aircraft must stop at approved airports before landing at, or (get this) leaving, US territory. It's possible to get a waiver, but that takes up to ten days. Brian is trying to identify the shortest distance, but it looks like we'll have to fly North to a Bahamas airport, and then back-track South to St. Thomas. Pretty crazy.
Connie's Log 1 September 2002 - SUNDAY
This morning at the airport, Richard, or perhaps it was Christa, had the idea that we could fly to Tortola and take the ferry to St. Thomas, going back to retrieve the Aztec after getting the waiver. It would mean a long ferry ride, but flying is more expensive and we're anxious to get to our destination. However, while flying Brian called on the radio and asked for a waiver, surprisingly they gave it to him then and there, after three officials told us we wouldn't be able to go direct. As my sister is fond of saying, "It doesn't hurt to ask."
US Customs was the most unpleasant we have encountered thus far. The official was neither friendly nor helpful. I understand stricter rules as a repercussion of 9/11, but the lobby was not busy, nor the hour late. Indeed, we could discern no reason for the animosity with which we were welcomed back into our country, and we headed to the rental car office disappointed in our fellow Americans.
After checking into the Bolongo Beach Hotel we followed the sound of music down the beach a short walk to Iggys Bar and Grill. While waiting for our conch fritters I wished Christine was there to do her excellent and hysterical Bernie (Weekend at Bernie's II) impression to the steel drum music being played on the sand.
Connie's Log 2 September 2002 - MONDAY
Hooray, today we found an affordable apartment to rent for one month. The day we left the Ts&Cs Richard and Christa dropped their price on their catamaran dramatically. Brian likes it's construction and equipment, and it's certainly priced to sell now. We have to wait for escrow to close on our house one month in an apartment should be just about right.
Brian seems to have made up his mind to buy the 48' cat. It's probably as good a decision as any boat can be. He says it's strong and very well equipped. I don't remember much about it. Because of the price being out of our range, I didn't pay much attention the day we sailed. I do, however, remember that she's not pretty. One of her previous owners chartered her out, and in an apparent effort to reduce maintenance, painted her entire interior a putty-colored epoxy. She has no bright work (wood work) whatsoever. She is roomy though, and four cabins will afford lots of room for guests.
The housing situation is a relief to solve, but there's much more to do. To begin with, tomorrow Seth starts school, I have to go to the laundro mat, and we'll look for internet access.
With regard to the apartment, first the good news: the view is incredible, we'll put a photo up when we get a chance. We're high on a hill overlooking the harbor where we expect to dock. Sailboats dot the water between the beaches, and beyond the harbor the blue of the Caribbean meets the blue of the sky except where separated by the green hills of St. John and smaller islands. Also the neighbors seem to be especially friendly. The bad news is: it would take me nearly the entire month we're going to be here to get this place clean. I've hit the important surfaces with spray disinfectant and a sponge. That will have to do for now.