Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year 2012.
We have got to the last day of 2011.
For myself and Zephyr it has been a fantastic year from day one.
I have seen so man beautiful places, and met so many nice people from all over the world.
I am looking forward for 2012 to continue my fantastic life, see many
new places, go by the places I have been, meet many of my friends and get to know new friends.
I wish you all a Happy New Year, with good health and lot of happy times with your family and friends.

Many of you are probably going to a party tonight with your friends and family.
I will be at the beach party here at Marigot Bay and Chateau Mygo.
I am walking there right now.
All the best to all of you.
Bent

Barefoot new years party

Sailtrip to Roney bay Dec 2011

A day cruise to Rodney bay.
The other day I had a drink at Dolittle bar cross over from were I am staying at Chateau Mygo.
There I met  a nice couple from UK. I invited them for a day cruise in my boat,
so next morning we sailed north to Rodney bay.
Anchored and had a bite to eat.
Of course we blessed the anchor with a beer also.


Audrey and Iain

At the bay there was a cruise ship with the name Seaborn Quest
I think my friend Captain Tønis Sørensen has been a captain on that ship.




Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas days at Chateau Mygo

Christmas days at Chateau mygo.

I have no Christmas tree on board, but at the Chateau Mygo restaurant
they have one. Maybe a little different from what we have at home, but a real tree.
A snowman hanging on the tree, and parrots under the roof.
Zephyr parked at the restaurant.
I am not complaining about the location.

I will hang around Marigot Bay, hoping to get some more trips in the aerea.


Charter St. Lucia to Martinique

Christmas cruise from St.Lucia to Martinique.
I was asked to take a sail trip from the Pitons St. Lucia to Martinique with a young couple
from San Fransisco California, Michael and Nicole.
I sailed by myself the two hours south, from Marigot Bay to the Pitons Friday Dec. 23rd.
Stayed overnight at a mooring bouye close to the Bat Cave mountain.


Petit Piton seen from Zephyr
It was a little rainy, so a nice rainbow show up.
Zephyr at mooring close to the Bat Cave

Next day I went around the corner an got a local lobster fisherman
to pick up Michael and Nicole at the beach hotel they were staying.
Went by motor the 3 hours up north, to Rodney Bay.
We droped anchor in front of the Sandals hotel, and took the dingy
into Rodney Bay marina. 
At night we dingy into a restaurant at Pigon, Jambre de Bois and had
Christmas dinner. Nice rustic restaurant with good live music.

After a morning swim Christmas day morning, we lifted anchor and
sailed north to Martinique.
We decided to enter at a bay just outside Fort de France. I bay 
with name,  Grand Anse de Arlet.
A charmy bay with lot's of boats. We could also do custom
and immigration clearence at the bar Petit Bateau.
Custom and immigration is a 'pain in th ass' on all the islands,
except Martinique and Guadelupe, which is French territory.
It's like comming to France in Europe. Euro currency, EU member,
French licens plate on th cars, and they ONLY speak French.
Grand Anse de Arlet, seen from the beach bar.
Petit Bataeu beach bar and custom clearence.
The best custom office this far.
You can see Zephyr på anchor just to the right of the pier.
Michael and Nicole enjoying the sun and the sail.

It was a wonderful 3 days trip with very lovely people.
Thank you Michael and Nicole. Hope to see you again.

 

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Sailing with my lawyer Moksness

Sailing with Ludvig.
My lawyer and friend Ludvig Moksness came sailing with me for 3 weeks.
He flew into Tobago Trinidad two days after the triple RRR's left from there.
We did the same tour again what comes to destinations.
Spent two night at Charlotteville and got some really nice black fin tuna
from the local fishermen. We invited them on board and had a couple shots of rum
with them.

                                                              And some beer I can see

Sailed from Charlotteville to St. George Grenada. Had very little wind, I mean no wind.
Had to motor all the way 18 hours on flat water. Last time with RRR we had
good wind all the way, which is more normal.
Just before leaving Tobago we met a Finish man with name Kimmo.
He asked me to come with us to Tobago Cays, a 5 days trip from Tobago.
Kimmo was a very interesting person. He has spent his all life in South America
managing power plant developments for a Finish company.
On the way to Grenada Ludvig caught a Dorado ( golden mackerel) which he filled
and fried. Tasted fantastic.
Ludvig enjoying the meal.

After letting Kimmo of at Union Island just south of Tobago Cays,
we continued north to Bequia. Stayed there for 4 nights.
I got my front sail repaired and also the sprayhood and lazyjack (=cover for the main sail)
The service at Bequia sail and Canvas was fantastic. I delivered it in the morning, and got it back
in the afternoon. The price was also good I thought. 850 EC$=320 US$ for one day work.
Lifted anchor at 05.30 am heading for Marigot Bay. 60 miles north.
On the way we pass St. Vincent which is one of the many volcano island.
Last big eruption was in 1978 and 1979 from the 1000 meter high volcano.
I have been passing by here many times now, but never seen any activity.
This time we saw smoke/steam coming out 3 places. Exiting.

Smoke on the foot of the volcano.

Just before landing at Marigot Bay, were we had made reservation
at the famous Chateau Mygo restaurant and bar.

Ludvig at the wheel.

At Chateau Mygo we met Doreen and her son Shaid, boyfriend Truls
and the beautiful an nice staff.
Also, at same time as us arrived Truls boat with 3 Norwegians on board.
Stig Hatlo, Hans and Willy.
They had been on a 3 weeks cruise.
When they presented them self, I said to Stig Hatlo that I heard that name somewhere.
Thinking about it closer after getting the ropes tied to the bridge, I said, you sailed on Berge Viking around the world race in 1981. Yes, that was him.
Berge Viking, a 57 foot Swan competed in the witbread around the world. Today it's called
Volvo ocean race. So stig is a legend in the Norwegian sail sport.
We had a great time together the 3 days before they had to fly home.
One day we took a full day tour around the south part of the island.
We stoped at the Volcano hot sping mud bath, and when I say hot, I mean hot.

Supposedly you get 10 years younger.

From left: Hans Ludvig and Stig. The right one we don't know


Next stop for lunch was at the famous LaDera. This is a 5 star luxury hotel
were all room are different and have the own pool and full privacy.
Famous people from all over the world stay here. One of the frequent visitors is Operah Winfrey
Check it out on their web page http://www.ladera.com/
The rooms runs from 5-700 USD a night and up up up.
We had a drink first overlooking the famous Pitons and then lunch.

Willy in red. We all having a Pinecolada drink


This is the view. 2700 feet high.

After lunch we headed for a beach at the south, had a swim and went back to Marigot Bay.
NICE DAY, in good company.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Pictures from the triple RRR cruising the Caribbean.

Here are some pictures from
 Rob, Robin and Rhino.
They took thousens of pictures during the two weeks cruise in the Caribbean.
I like to share some of them with you.  ENJOY....

Rhino playing on my gitar, and singing. He is very good and also
sings in a band back in UK. So he gave us some  good entertaiment.


Robin is full of energy, and was all over the place on the boat.
He also helped repairing several things on the boat.  Thank you Robin.

Robin surfing on Zephyr.

As I said, all over the boat.

But I am just relaxing in the sun.
Robin caught a King fish which he filled and made
a fantastic meal fried sauted in white wine.

Rob and Rhino ready for dropping the anchor.

The boat with the name 'Marsvinet' must be Norwegian.
It's has seen better days, but there was someone living on board.
We saw it at Tyrrel Bay Carriacou.
Let me show you some of the Caribbean sunsets.