Friday April 15

            It’s our final day of surfing.  Well at least in Margarita, for this season.  So we must make the most of it!  Again take the time in the morning to eat breakfast later, and just enjoy the peaceful morning from the terrace overlooking the gardens, so lush and full of color.  Such a nice ride in the hammock each morning, we had to buy one for home!

            Breakfast is prepared by our sweet Del Valle, and is every thing you could ask for!  A huge plate of scrambled eggs with sausage, onions, tomatoes, and some ham and cheese thrown in!  So delicious I could not ask for more!  With the plate of fruit and bread, it is a heavenly start to the final day of sailing!

            We have to get down early, to pay the bills outstanding at each of the three most frequented places; Vela, Gerry’s bar, and Henry’s store!  No matter the price, it’s always so inexpensive to stay here!  I grow to know so many people, it’s hard to leave!  I paid each in full w/tips and continued on to the beach.

            Since it was the last day, I opted for some helmet cam.  With the new actuator, I had some problems getting the camera to start the video; I had to press too hard on the squeeze bulb to actually fire the shutter button.  This resulted in most of my attempts to fail at recording anything decent, before the lens fogged up.  I did manage one decent clip, see it here.  I was on a 5.7M sail with the 105lt board for the entire session, chasing Connie on her 5.2M/77lt combo, and some others around the waves!

            Tom was doing video from the beach this afternoon, and I soon joined in to see if I could be captured on the cam!  I brought the helmet cam back in, and went out for a session on the 98lt with the 5.9M sail.  What an incredible blast!  I even managed a couple jibes in front of the cam!  Very fun!

            I was thinking of a final photo session, but instead opted for a final afternoon surf session!  I grabbed a 5.0M sail and the 84lt, and then quickly changed to the 77lt!  It was frickinnukin’!  What a fun final session!  Fully powered on some of the smallest stuff yet sailed by me!  I was getting some huge air, and just loving the full on ride!  I got sore in every possible spot, but did not care; I had a final massage at 6pm!  I just kept riding until 4:45, and then finally came in to get ready for the video show at 5:30!  Connie was also digging it, with the final session on a 69lt and the 4.2M!  It was really blowing hard!

            The video started and it’s always great fun reviewing the days sailing, and the many jibe attempts!  We had a fun crowd for the presentation, and Tom and Kathy again gave out prizes, but I had to leave to get to my message before they were done.  Somebody has to do it!  It was a funn après surf session to say the least!

            The Masseuse, Mary Bell was again such a perfect end to a great day of sailing!  All the kinks were soon gone, and I was a totally relaxed sailor for dinner!  We opted for Mobu, and joined Tom and Kathy for the last night of feasting on Tropico Latinia Pizza, and some pepper pasta!  Totally dig the friends and food!  Tom and Kathy are the best!  Love you guys!

            Full and content, it was back to the room for some packing and prep for the trip home tomorrow, at noon.  I soon realized I would be awake for a few hours anyway, and opted to pay a last visit to Gabby’s at midnight!  A brilliant walk over with the moon rising, all in yellow and orange, stars a twinkling!

            The crowd was not too big, but plenty to visit with and I said my goodbyes to many local friends and some of my fellow sailors.  I promised Miguel and others I was coming back again next year!   I even got to dance with Carina for awhile!  Good last night out, and got home about 3am!  Nice end to the final day of fun!  See you again next year!