Norman's 4th Annual DDI Lime

China box

Saturday Sept 23rd
Definitions:
DDI Lime - Down island Lime - I don't know why there are two DD's but there are.
Down Island - Chachacare is the last of 5 little islands that make up The Bocas Islands that lay west of Trinidad.  It was the location of a leper colony that only just closed in 1984.  BTW - according to Wikipedia, President Trump visited it in 1999 during the the Miss Universe contest and contemplated building a casino and resort (of course) but didn't.  And yes, there are a ton of jokes ripe for the picking in the previous sentences - Trump and leper colony being the key words here!!!  You're welcome.  Have at it!
Lime -  (v) hanging out/socialising in an informal relaxing environment, especially with friends, for example at a party or on the beach., or even just on the porch or such.

Norman is a local Trini that is a fixture and apparently also a quiet mover and shaker at the Trinidad and Tobago Sailing Association.  Every year for the past 3 years he has thrown a DDI Lime.  We had the opportunity to buy tickets to this event.  I say tickets because this is a tad beyond your normal relaxed lime.  It is a pig roast with all the fixins - 1/2 pig in a China Box, massive amounts of BBQ chicken hot off the grill,  traditional starchy Trini sides of potato salad, macaroni bake and rice(?)  Trini's LOVE their starches!!!  Unlimited food AND drinks!

Willie and Sabrina on the ride out

We caught a ride in style on mv Shadowfax (thank you Rico and Jackson) along with fellow cruisers.   We arrived early and got anchored.  Typical of most Trini events - the cruisers were WAY early.  The party was just being set up ashore.  No matter, it wasn't long before we were bobbing in the clear waters of Chachacare.

More boats arrived and soon it was a full blown lime.  The sky was somewhat cloudy with a few light showers.  That was fine with Tom and me because after a summer at 38 degrees of latitude, our tender skin was not yet used to 10 degrees of Sun that is here in Trinidad.

Tom on the ride out

More boats arrived.  We sent scouts ashore to recon the progress.  "Soon" it was reports.  More limin.  Finally, we dinghied ashore.  The chicken was ready, the DJ had the tunes cranked and the drinks were flowing.  We started limin with all the locals.  So many interesting people.  More drinks and chatting.  Then a few proper toasts to Norman.  Then the smoked pork was done.  OMG - it was fantastic!!!  A chef chopped it into small inch bits and topped it with chopped green onions and a light sprinkle of soy sauce.  As fast as he dumped it into a large pan, we all scooped it up by fingers, hands and cups.  I looked over to see a group of locals limin in the water up to their waists - a drink in one hand and a cup of pork to nibble on in the other.  More chatting with various locals.  Fascinating stories.

Sarah and David

Our captain didn't want to stay too late as he preferred to dock while there was still a bit of light.  We bid everyone ado and pulled up the anchor.  In typical Trini fashion, the party was just getting started.  Most would limin into the early hours of the next day, staying overnight.

Mark on the aft deck

We had a blast.  Hopefully we will be around next year for the 5th annual!