4vdmerwe.blogspot.com: OK This time we GO!

Hi Again.
We check out of Trinidad in the morning (Monday 2 June) :))

The reason we stayed, when we were about to leave, is a bit of a story.
here goes.

A real friendly Indian Trini had made friends with me at the sailing club where we have been anchored here.
He seemed really genuine and was interested in acquiring a yacht.
I took him around to Doug's yacht IDUNA II., then after a few days he came back to me keen to buy it.
Hey COOL. Doug sells him boat and I get some comm.

He also offered me a car for the day. (No charge) ? We did not make use of this offer, but when he said he could get a mini bus for us for the day I was really happy, as a bunch of us could then go over to see the turtles. I gave him US$ 200 as a down payment for the mini bus. Well when the Bus never arrived, and he no longer answer his phone, I figured I had been taken for a sucker (OK OK I know I AM!!!)

Well I managed eventually to get hold of him, but he continued to let me down. Many times he promised to come to see me, but never arrived. On one occasion he told me his cousin had just died in his arms from Dengi Fever (bit rough)

Dimitri, you must understand, has had a difficult life. When he was 3 his parents died in a car accident.
His Grandparents were also in the car.
Then 5 years ago he had a car accident with a government lorry, and ended up in hospital for over 1 year. He has now won a court case and has been awarded 27mill TT (about US$ 5 mill) WOW!

JA RIGHT! (Rob you gullible fool!!!1)

Well time came for us to check out of Trinidad. I thought I would try him one last time. While we were walking to Immigration and Customs, I phoned him to let him know that we were leaving. Much to my surprise, A - He answered, then B - He arrived. Paid me my US$200 and told me he had organized the cash for the boat. Please stay 1 more week so we can do the deal. With much negotiating with Immigration, I got our visas extended. Great. Next day he arrived and bought a few drinks, and offered to take me out to lunch.

Well here is where the fun began,....

We drove into Power Boats yard through the security, boomed entrance. Just as we were through the gate, he decided to turn around again and leave (bit odd I thought) "I just have to go and collect something and then we will come back".

Security had a different plan. They closed the BIG sliding gate outside the boom. But My good friend Dimitri kept trying to get out when other cars were allowed to leave. Dumb Ass!

After driving around the yard for a while, (No idea where he thought he was going to go) we were finally escorted to the gate where many cop cars were now parked.

I was told ..."Hands on the hood, Don't move, Shut up, You are coming with us, etc etc".
My buddy in the mean time had been cuffed and stuffed into one of the cop vans. (pleading innocence all the time) He kept telling them that it was the first time he had ever been into Power Boats.

Did I mention he was a Dumb Ass?

They have security photos of him breaking into yachts in the yard, and reports of him stealing cash, credit cards, and cameras. One which was under my seat. He expected me to tell them it was my camera. Bit odd that I would have taken so many photos of another guys wife and boat.

Any way. I was not arrested by the biggest cop with real guns and a bad attitude, and now all the security at Power Boats great me with great enthusiasm. Funny how that works.

We stuck around for the rest of last week as I had committed to help Hans and Monika with some stainless steel work. Now done we can try to leave again.

Unless......... I get a call from my Old Mate in the morning.........
Just kidding!!

We have also had a great time with Fred and Wendy. They are sailing up the Islands leaving in about a week. I gave him a hand with some of the work on his boat, and then last night he took us for a drive around Port of Spain (the main city here) and to Fort George which overlooks the city. Very cool!