Royal Botanic Garden, Melbourne

A day out with my high school bestie MW & her husband SJ in Melbourne. First stop, Cafe Domain which is located opposite the Royal Botanic Gardens. A great place to catch up with friends or watch the world go by. Food was good too!

Salt & Pepper Calamari

Lovely Cold Cut Platter

MW & I :)

A short stroll at the Royal Botanic Garden in Melbourne.

A wefie!

Thanks for spending the day with me MW & SJ! :)

After that, I met up with Alex and his high school friend Suresh at Hosier Lane -- a graffiti alley in the heart of Melbourne.

That's all for now!

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It's Back to Singapore

If you read our Haul Out in Trinidad post, you might already know why we decided to head back home for a while. A silly and painful mistake that turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

We flew back to Singapore on 12th May 2015. I was really glad and grateful that I was able to see my family and friends again. Even though we've been back once a year for "holidays" it was always too short. So the plan was to get a job for six months, save up and get back to Raptor in December for the next sailing season in the Caribbean.

Alex and I were both extremely fortunate to find work again in our former companies. Travelling for such a long period of time without income definitely takes a toll on our savings. Especially when everything on a boat is so expensive to buy, maintain, or replace. Any product that is meant for "boats" or labelled "marine grade"; expect the prices to be doubled or tripled and sometimes quadrupled!

So I was happy as a clam at high tide to be back home, on a payroll, wear pretty clothes and see other people i.e. my family & friends again. Did I mention how happy I was? ;) The only drawback was that I was based in Singapore and Alex was based in Melbourne, Australia. But after being on a boat together 24/7 for 3 years, 6 months apart was.. nothing we couldn't manage. With today's technology, we were able to communicate via WhatsApp and FaceTime everyday!

6 months of work came and went by quickly. It took me a while to get back into the rat race (I mean I had kinda literally "gone fishing" for the last 3 years) but just as I was getting used to it, it was already over. Truly thankful and grateful for the opportunity. 

I'm also thankful that I got to attend my dear friend's wedding as the maid of honour and what an honour it was. A beautiful fairy tale wedding celebration between two of the most kind & loving people I know at Sentosa island.

Also would like to thank my dear friends for having us in their home when we first got back to Singapore. Thank you so so much! xx 

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Haul Out in Trinidad

We departed Store Bay, Tobago at 11:55pm on 24th February 2015 and arrived in Chaguaramas at 12:30pm the next day. We picked up a mooring opposite the Power Boats Boatyard (N 10.40.724 W 61.38.072) for a week.

Clearing in at Chaguaramas was fairly easy compared to when we cleared-in at Scarborough. The Customs and Immigrations office are within 50m of each other.

 

We hauled out at Power Boats on the 2nd of March 2015, mainly to re-anti foul our hulls and service the engine. But as you know, there's always something more that needs to repaired, replaced, serviced, etc.

I was really nervous when Raptor was on wheels moving on land, weaving through the boatyard, like a car! I was so afraid we would hit something. But Don (the owner) who drove the trailer is very skilled & experienced.

 

Raptor on wheels

Resting Raptor on blocks of wood

You can see the brown stain above the waterline we acquired from being in the rivers for the last 3 months.

Close up of the Barnacles

So that's us on blocks of wood! Located between the Dockside mini market and the Power Boats office/toilets/laundry room.

The largest blister on Raptor

Smaller blisters

A total of 30 over blisters

Before Anti Foul

After Anti-Foul

Anti Foul is done! Raptor looks like new from the outside again!

We would've launched after servicing the engine, unfortunately Alex who thought he was still in his 20's injured his back while lifting our 50kg Yamaha 9.9hp outboard from the ground up to hand it to me on the transom, which was about 1.3 meters off the ground. He had successfully handed it to me but heard a crack and knew he had done his back in. It was a painful lesson. 

After 2 months on the hard, he was still in no condition to work on the boat or go sailing. So we decided to leave Raptor and head home for a desk job instead.

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Recipe | Whole Wheat Banana Bread

Nutella, Cocoa, Cashew Nut & Chia Seed Whole Wheat Banana Bread 
(photo looks a little dark but rest assured it's not burnt.. It's the chocolate!) :)

Ingredients:

• 2-3 ripe bananas (mashed)
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• a pinch of salt 
• 1 egg
• 1½ cups of whole wheat flour/all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar or nutella (optional)
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds (optional)
• 1 teaspoon flax seeds (optional)
• 3 tablespoons of crushed nuts peanuts/hazelnuts/cashews/walnuts/almonds (optional)

Method:

1. In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas & butter until soft and smooth with a fork.

2. Mix in the vanilla extract, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder or sugar. Stir in the beaten egg.

3. Add in the nuts, seeds, nutella (optional). Mix in the flour.

4. Preheat oven to 175 degrees C (350 degrees F). Lightly grease a 4x8 inch loaf pan with olive oil. Pour the batter into the loaf pan.

5. Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick (inserted in the middle of the loaf) comes out clean.

6. Remove from oven, let bread cool in pan for 5 minutes and turn it out on to rack. Slice & serve.

Note: Sometimes I pour half the batter into the loaf pan, then spread a layer of nutella before pouring the rest of the batter in for a sweeter version and a layer of nuts at the top. 😊

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Carnival in Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago

We were fortunate to have made it in time for Carnival which was held on the 16th & 17th of February 2015. We heard that it is better to go on Tuesdays, and so we did.

The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is an annual event held on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The event is well known for its participants' colourful costumes and exuberant celebrations which begin right after Christmas. Here's some info about its origin..

"Like the cosmopolitan mix of peoples and cultures that shaped the island, Trinidad's Carnival has many influences. The Spanish and English colonial powers, French planters, African slaves, Indian indentured labourers, and the many other ethnic groups that settled here have all left an indelible mark on the festival.

In 1783 the French brought their culture, customs and Carnival, in the form of elaborate masquerade balls, to Trinidad along with African slaves. The period stretching between Christmas and the start of Lent was a time for feasting, fancy dress balls and celebration for both the French and British.

Banned from the festivities, slaves in the barrack yards would hold their own celebrations mimicking their masters' behaviour while incorporating rituals and folklore. Once slavery was abolished in 1838, the freed Africans took their Carnival to the streets and, as each new immigrant population entered Trinidad, a new flavour was added to the festivities. Today, our diverse culture has influenced the music, food and traditions of Carnival."

 
We thoroughly enjoyed watching the people dance in their colourful costumes on the street. The energy was fantastic! Even though we heard its not as elaborate as the one in Trinidad... it was a great experience for us nonetheless.

 

Carnival Time

King George and I

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Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago

Beautiful sunset from our anchorage in Store Bay

We finally made it to the Caribbean! 

Trinidad and Tobago is the southern most island in the Caribbean, situated northeast of Venezuela (just 11km away). It was a 3 day sail from British Guyana. We departed at the river mouth of Baganara on the 10th February 2015 and arrived on the eve of Valentine's day.

Our initial heading was towards Chaguaramas, Trinidad. However, Alex calculated that if we stayed our course, we would arrive after dark. It would be too risky for us (a single prop) to maneuver into an unfamiliar port in the middle of the night. We would also have to deal with customs and immigration after working hours which would most likely incur overtime charges.

Without much deliberation, we changed our course and headed into Tobago instead. We arrived in Scarborough at 15:30pm. By the time we set our anchor, prepared the dinghy and found our way to Customs and Immigration's office, it was closed! Even though we arrived before closing time. After many attempts to contact the officers, we were advised to come in the next morning.

The anchorage we were in (opposite the Port) was not a good one. It was too rolly and we weren't sure if the anchor would hold overnight. We moved again after speaking to some locals and a yacht nearby, and picked up a mooring (N 11.10.756 W 60.44.150) beside it to stay the night.

The next day, we headed off to the Customs and Immigration's office as advised. Surprise, surprise, it's not open (again)! We waited 2 hours outside the door, and finally an officer rocks up at 11:00am. We were not happy cruisers!

After clearing in, we moved to Store Bay (or Milford Bay on the charts) and picked up a mooring (N 11.09.497 W 60.50.501). It was a much better anchorage except for the occasional jet skiers that come way too close creatng wakes that makes us feel like we're back in the big ocean. On the bright side, we were able to get free Wifi on board. So, yay!

View of Raptor from the beach

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Essequibo River, British Guyana

Raptor in Essequibo River

Guyana is the only South American nation in which English is the official language. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Brazil to the south and southwest, Suriname to the east and Venezuela to the west.

Essequibo is the largest river in Guyana and the largest river between the Amazon and Orinoco. It flows from the Acarai Mountains near the Brazil-Guyana border 1,010km northward through forest and savannah into the Atlantic Ocean.

We set off from Domburg, Suriname on 3rd February 2012 and anchored opposite Bartica (N 06.23.964 W 58.37.037) the next day. It was approximately 265 nautical mile ride. We landed the dinghy at Cool Breeze, cleared in and spent a day exploring the town. 

Streets in Bartica

Street near Cool Breeze

Bartica occupies a unique natural location in the north-central Guyana where the mighty Essequibo, Mazaruni and Cuyuni rivers meet. Considered the "Gateway to the Interior". 

Even though this is the launching point for Guyana's diamond and gold miners, the place is not well developed and a little disappointing to find garbage everywhere. 

It's unparalleled natural location is one of the most intriguing sites for a town. The name 'Bartica' comes from an Amerindian word meaning 'red earth', is abundant in the area.

 

What about them?

Unfortunately garbage everywhere

We departed Bartica for Baganara Resort on 6th February. We motored 15 nautical miles up the river.

Here are some photos of the river on our way to Baganara Island (approx. 40nm inland). Apparently this about as far up the river we can go with a sailing vessel. Smaller & more powerful boats are needed to go further up through the rapids.

The rocks looks like a huge crocodile

A tiny island in the middle of the river with a bridge between the private property and an overgrown shipwreck on the right

It's calm in the river

Reflections

Baganara Resort

Baganara Island Resort on Baganara island (about 40nm up the Essequibo river). A peaceful place away from the city with nature all around. Had fun playing pool and table tennis all day. There are hammocks, chess board, frisbees, football, volleyball & kayaks too. All these to ourselves! 

I guess we came at a good time (off peak season). Even though the entrance to this river was pretty tricky with all the rocks, wrecks, stakes, shallow areas and limited charts, its definitely a nice place for some R&R. 

We anchored just off the Resort (N 06.20.027 W 58.35.545) for 4 days.

Our crew David

Monkeying around

Red Howler Monkey

A little settlement by the river

Exploring in the dinghy

Mangroves

Beautiful isn't it?

We departed Baganara for Bartica on the 10th February to clear out, and anchored 18 nautical miles (N 06.48.169 W 58.30.562) from the river mouth for the night. We headed off for Trinidad and Tobago the next day.

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