Tobago - Dream Passage

For cruisers, Tobago is a little out of the mainstream and a less popular destination than the islands to the north because it is too far to sail in a day and too often a struggle against wind and current. However, because of this it is one of the last unspoiled Caribbean islands.
With apprehension we charted our course into the easterly trade winds and against the 1-4 knot (Atlantic) current.
At 1600 hours on October 25, 2007 we felt luck was with us as 3 dolphins escorted us out of Chaguaramas and through the Boca to begin our eastward journey along Trinidad's north coast, then offshore to Tobago; ending our 3 month stay in Trinidad.
Shortly after the sun set a "delicious" night-lee breeze out of the south, helped us make easy work of the journey. When we turned north for Tobago, under the full moon, a perfect 10-15 knot east wind allowed us to skim along the smooth sea. As we approached the island the lights of Tobago sparkled like a precious gem in the night.
Since our passage had gone so well we found ourselves arriving before daylight, therefore we decided to sail the 9 miles up the east coast to check in at customs in Scarborough rather than take a bus across the island from our anchorage destination of Store Bay.
As we sailed this course a rainbow arched from the sea behind us over to the island which made the whole passage seem even more surreal.
As is the case in all dreams, they must come to an end and ours did as we were confused by the repetition of south cardinal buoys marking the reef in the entrance to Scarborough harbour and had to put out to open water twice as 2 squalls brought us back to a wet reality.
After we checked in to Customs we set sail south again to anchor in Store Bay - carefully - as the anchorage area is upwind of the submerged electric cable. Barry joked that if we should drag anchor at least there was something to eventually catch us - let's hope we don't!
Anchor to anchor - Chaguaramas, Trinidad to Store Bay, Tobago - 23 hours - 83 miles (includes stop to check in to customs in Scarborough)