Another week in the boatyard - but we are close to being done.
Dean completed the waxing of the boat. Charm is shiny and pretty. Kris spent a day waxing the cockpit - easy work compared to what Dean did - but the final section of the boat to finish.
We had some small gel coat cracks in the boat - so we hired the filling of those - they are almost done.
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| One of 7 gel coat spots needed a repair |
Of course once our boat was nice and clean, we got a nighttime visit from a friendly kitty, who left tracks all over the boat.
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| We like the cats around - keeps the rodent population in control, but could do without the dirty prints |
Kris also got back the Groco hydromatic from the machine shop here. She was changing some plumbing and broke off a bronze elbow and got the threads stuck in the bronze body of the Groco. It broke quite easy, so we were glad we found it now, not out in the ocean, but still a pain. She got the Groco reinstalled.
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| Kris working on the wiring and plumbing |
In the same area of the Groco in the V-berth is our water maker. Ours is and Echotec, so while here in Trinidad - where Echotecs are made we had the factory take ours for a complete look over. They said it was good, but the valves were worn, so got those replaced. Kris had to cut the wiring to take the water maker motor out, so when reinstalling this time she used a terminal strip, but since it was in a wet area, didn't want to leave it exposed. Made up a hokey terminal cover using an old plastic lunch meat container - looks hokey but should work well.
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| Hokey but functional |
Friday we went with Jason and Monica on some errands, stopping at some hardware stores, and grocery stores, so we are all stocked up on food.
One of the big grocery stores here is next to a mall, so we wandered in. The mall is quite nice, clean and bright, with lots of Christmas decor up.
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| The mall all decorated |
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| Water fountain in the center. Light and bright inside |
We had lunch in the mall at the Place called Paprika Bistro. It has an Indian feel, with a menu ranging from Mediterranean bowls, to burgers, pizza, shawarma, paninis, and more typical Indian food. Quite an eclectic place, with decoration to match. Chandeliers, rugs on the ceiling, copious use of tassels, mirrors and more. The food was good, but the surprise came when the wait staff - who along with the chefs were mostly immigrants from Venezuela, put white sheets over their heads, with eyeholes and sunglasses worn, and sang "Cumpleaños Feliz" to birthday patrons. It was the day before Halloween, so I guess they were ghosts - but coming from the USA - it was quite startling to see darker skinned people wearing white sheets. For a child's birthday, no sheets, but waving of large teddy bears.
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| Photo from Jason Spitz |
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| Photo from Jason - Ghosts singing Happy Birthday in Spanish in Indian themed restaurant. |
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| Very eclectic decor |
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| Food was good |
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| Desert was even better - Our price for lunch for two including split dessert - $64 |
Saturday we took a stroll around the boatyard next door, just checking out the sights, and then had a relaxing afternoon on the boat watching the rain fall. Charm is ready to go in the water on Wednesday.
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| Charm ready for water |
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| some boats not in such great shape |
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| Waterfront |
