Visitors

We’re lying at anchor off the marina. While we’re busy rigging the dinghy alongside so I can go for a swim, an official-looking RIB turns up. We wonder which authority has come to give us the third degree this time.

They turn out to be 2 of the 250 Dutch Marines stationed on Aruba, and they’re very interested in our boat, so we have a nice chat. Coming from Harlingen creates an instant bond: they’re from somewhere up north themselves and know Harlingen well.

After lunch we see them coming back. They’d like to invite us over for a drink, but that’s not allowed, of course, so they’ve simply brought the beers to us instead! Those get opened straight away! What a welcome once again, life is good.