Gym's Ramblings: Winter 2022: The Amazon Expedition

Maracas Beach

On November 21, 2022, less than one week after leaving Miami, the Insignia had completed its dash across the Caribbean. Upon having docked in Port of Spain, Trinidad, the boat had travelled 1900 nautical miles. The ship tied up at the dock at about 8am and then would leave again by 3pm that afternoon. This would be the last break for the Captain and the crew on the bridge, until his ship entered the mouth of the Amazon and steamed upriver to the first stop in Brazil, some four days after leaving Trinidad.

Trinidad is the southernmost island of the Lesser Antilles and the closest one to the South American continent. During the last ice age, Trinidad and Tobago became separated from the Venezuelan coastline as the glaciers receded and the seas rose. Like Venezuela, Trinidad has a significant oil industry but somehow the wealth wasn't sufficient to elevate everyone into the middle class because the GDP per capita is only about $15,000 per year. Year's ago, one of Gym's bosses tried to negotiate a purchase of some oil assets in Trinidad but he couldn't get the puck in the net. He should have let Gym lead the negotiation.

There was very little time to get off and go exploring but Gym and his lovely sidekick wanted to make the most of a very short stop in Trinidad. They needed to get a feel for the island! They chose a tour that used up all the time that they had in-country and it began with a drive through a bustling Port of Spain, on a very wet morning. Driving through the capital in rush hour traffic, turned out to be slow-going but the tour guide knew his stuff and they eventually progressed by all of the historical, cultural and administrative highlights. There are seven very cool mansions in the central city that are referred to as the Magnificent Seven. There is also a striking new cultural centre called N.A.P.A. (National Academy for the Performing Arts). After emerging from the busier part of the city they came to the Royal Botanical Gardens where they were able to stroll through the massive green space and see the residence of the President.

The tour then left the city and drove up into the highlands, to a viewpoint high above the coastal plain. The vista back towards the port was really outstanding. From there, the group began to make their way north away from the city and through the mountains that fringed the north coast. Eventually they would make their way through the forested slopes to another viewpoint looking down over the gorgeous Atlantic coastline. Then they descended down to the village of Maracas and Maracas Beach. They had a bit of time at the beach to stroll around, take some pictures and experience the laid-back vibe of this idyllic setting. The tour concluded with a drive back to the capital through the more trendy neighbourhoods, where the ex-pats are buying condos.

Finally, despite all the ground they had covered that day, the tour made it back to the terminal in time for the planned sailing. Walking along the dock they stopped briefly to enjoy a steel drum band playing under an awning. Did you know that steel drums were invented in Trinidad in about 1947. They are pounded out of the bottoms of used 55-gallon oil drums, left by the U.S. Armed Forces that were based on the island in WW2.

The Insignia left Trinidad at the scheduled time and sailed out into the Atlantic Ocean. Over the next few days it would head southeastward past Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, on its way to the mouth of the mighty Amazon. Unfortunately, Mrs. Gym would suffer somewhat as the ship ran into a 3-meter chop that would persist for a couple of days. Poor Mrs. Gym!

Stay tuned!

The President's House in the Royal Botanical Gardens

A Eucalyptus with its
multi-coloured skin

A memorial to steel drums under the tall palms

A view from the highlands back towards the ship.
The big thing that looks like a glass tuba on its side
is the National Academy of the Performing Arts.