New Position Posted. . . .Finally!

Sorry – but after a few lumpy days at sea, anchoring, clearing into customs and immigration – Michael forgot to add the new position here in Sapodilla Bay. It is now on the position page. Sorry about that – we sure do hear from you when we don’t keep things up!!

Last night we entertained aboard Astarte. We had “sundowners” with three other boats. “Sundowners” is the term used by cruisers to have a few snacks and drinks and watch the sun set, which was quite magnificent last night. It usually lasts well past sunset. Some saw a green flash last night – others didn’t. Do you suppose it had to do with the consumption of alcohol? Everybody brings their own drinks as well as an hors d’ouevres to share. Barbara made brouchetta (thanks to getting a nice French bread at the IGA grocery store earlier).

We shared the evening with Gary and Jackie, Canadians from “Inspiration Lady,” Marion and Theo from aboard “Double Dutch” (Dutch/Canadians); and Jack from “Anthem.” Great stories were shared about boating adventures, boat building and travel plans and as always some politics, gossip, recipes, fish tales etc.

Now for more information on the Turks and Caicos (T&C):

The earliest settlers in the islands were the peaceful Tainos (from Arawakan tribes in South America). When they arrived on the islands via large dugout canoes with as many as 150 rowers, they became known as luddu-cairi or luko-kayo meaning “island people.” They are known today as Lucayans. They built conical houses of wood and thatch and survived on conch, fish, native game, and plants. They were basket makers and skilled at manufacturing polished stone implements. They slept in hammocks and it is assumed it was from these people that the Spanish seamen started to also use hammocks for sleep. The Spanish sold the Lucayans as slaves. By the early 1520’s, sadly, this peaceful civilization was wiped out. All that remains are 20 Lucayan based words (including: avocado, cannibal, guava, hammock, hurricane, iguana, manatee, potato and tobacco).

After the Lucayans and Spanish, the first Englishman to make mention of the Turks and Caicos was interestingly enough a Captain John Hawkins. So it is really appropriate that Captain Michael Hawkins is now here. His ancestor (perhaps) was a privateer (aka pirate). He came to the islands in 1564 in search of salt (Captain Michael Hawkins is in search of lobster!) This began a salt industry in the islands.

From salt the economy went to “buccaneers” (boucaniers) – both Spanish and English. Then there was a bit of French ownership in 1783. The Treaty of Versailles in 1783 restored the Turks and Caicos to Great Britain. Today the governor is appointed by the Queen but the islands enjoy autonomous internal rule.
The name Turks and Caicos is thought to come from the strange cactus plant found on the islands. When this green, fattish, prickly cactus blooms, it produces a red top that looks just like a Turkish fez (those round red hats with the tassel worn by the Shriners!) That cactus impressed the early Europeans navigators so that’s where “Turk” came from. Caicos may be arawak/Lucayan for “cay” (one of the 20 surviving Lucayan-based words).

Enough blah – blah for today. On to a few boat projects. It’s a windy Saturday and we’re in a bit of a roll prone anchorage. Maybe we’ll take a dinghy ride or hike later.