Aruba to the Rocks

Aruba to Columbia This was a “touch and go” encounter. We arrived in the afternoon, had some beers and burgers at the beach bar/resort, the kids had a swim in the pool, and at o’ dark thirty we headed of to Los Monjes, a small group of Venezuelan islands, also known as “the rocks” and rocks they are, lonely desolate rocks, in the middle of the ocean. The Venezuelan military have built a breakwater between two of them and created a small harbor. The boats are tied to a rope tied across the bay and the Coast Guard ask you to bring them out to your boat, for the entry/inspection, since, although they are a coast guard station, they do not actually have a boat of their own. The men were very polite, and accepted a cold beer and a pack of cigarettes , while the asked us some questions about the boats equipment. We then took a short walk on the island, and at 3am, dropped our lines and headed out for a boisterous sail to Cabo de la Vela, a well protected bay on the north coast of Columbia.

Aruba to the Rocks

Aruba to Columbia This was a “touch and go” encounter. We arrived in the afternoon, had some beers and burgers at the beach bar/resort, the kids had a swim in the pool, and at o’ dark thirty we headed of to Los Monjes, a small group of Venezuelan islands, also known as “the rocks” and rocks they are, lonely desolate rocks, in the middle of the ocean. The Venezuelan military have built a breakwater between two of them and created a small harbor. The boats are tied to a rope tied across the bay and the Coast Guard ask you to bring them out to your boat, for the entry/inspection, since, although they are a coast guard station, they do not actually have a boat of their own. The men were very polite, and accepted a cold beer and a pack of cigarettes , while the asked us some questions about the boats equipment. We then took a short walk on the island, and at 3am, dropped our lines and headed out for a boisterous sail to Cabo de la Vela, a well protected bay on the north coast of Columbia.

Re rigging the mast

Bonaire and Curacao Our plan was to get to Curacao and on the morning of the 4th remove the mast and replace the standing rigging. (just preventative maintenance) Gary had ordered the shrouds in December from Florida and was assured that they would be on island in plenty of time to start work. Well……….. The first problem was that the guy that promised to remove the mast was in Holland, and the boatyards equipment was too small to lift the mast anyways. We would have to rent a crane. The yard manager (the guy in Holland) had warned us that his crane may be too small but that there were several masts to be stepped that week, and we could share the costs of a crane. Well…except that the boats were in the upper yard and the trailer/travellift was broken and…………….the shrouds were not to be found. The local shipping agent took the tracking number and said “call me back in an hour”….an hour later ”I’m not sure where your shipment is” One long distance call to Fla “It arrived in Curacao last Tuesday”…..Well 3 or 4 days later we determine that the shipment did not leave Fla on schedule and that it might be in the container that was to arrive on Fri……We left the boatyard and motored up to “Spanish Waters” an enclosed bay near the eastern end of the island and had a nice weekend. To make a long story, well less long we got our packages the following Tuesday and the crane reserved for Wed afternoon, things were looking good. The local rigger, Gijs, was able to juggle his other work around so he was available. Wed afternoon arrived, and because of some rain in the morning the crane would be delayed until the next morning. Thursday morning the “crane” somehow arrived under its own power. In Canada this windshield missing rust bucket with exposed wiring, bald tires, and an absolute ass as an operator, would have been condemned as a vehicle, let alone as a crane. But by mid morning the mast was on the saw horses and the work began. Kevin from Solange, Gary, and Gijs worked tirelessly in the hot sun and by mid day Friday the crane arrived and stepped the mast, complete with a gold 5 guilder coin in the step. By the time Bob Matthews arrived Sunday evening the boat was re rigged, provisioned , watered fueled, and ready to go. Monday morning we checked out of Curacao and sailed to Baii Santa Marta, a secluded bay with a very narrow enterance near the Western end of the island in preparation for an early morning sail to Aruba.

Re rigging the mast

Bonaire and Curacao Our plan was to get to Curacao and on the morning of the 4th remove the mast and replace the standing rigging. (just preventative maintenance) Gary had ordered the shrouds in December from Florida and was assured that they would be on island in plenty of time to start work. Well……….. The first problem was that the guy that promised to remove the mast was in Holland, and the boatyards equipment was too small to lift the mast anyways. We would have to rent a crane. The yard manager (the guy in Holland) had warned us that his crane may be too small but that there were several masts to be stepped that week, and we could share the costs of a crane. Well…except that the boats were in the upper yard and the trailer/travellift was broken and…………….the shrouds were not to be found. The local shipping agent took the tracking number and said “call me back in an hour”….an hour later ”I’m not sure where your shipment is” One long distance call to Fla “It arrived in Curacao last Tuesday”…..Well 3 or 4 days later we determine that the shipment did not leave Fla on schedule and that it might be in the container that was to arrive on Fri……We left the boatyard and motored up to “Spanish Waters” an enclosed bay near the eastern end of the island and had a nice weekend. To make a long story, well less long we got our packages the following Tuesday and the crane reserved for Wed afternoon, things were looking good. The local rigger, Gijs, was able to juggle his other work around so he was available. Wed afternoon arrived, and because of some rain in the morning the crane would be delayed until the next morning. Thursday morning the “crane” somehow arrived under its own power. In Canada this windshield missing rust bucket with exposed wiring, bald tires, and an absolute ass as an operator, would have been condemned as a vehicle, let alone as a crane. But by mid morning the mast was on the saw horses and the work began. Kevin from Solange, Gary, and Gijs worked tirelessly in the hot sun and by mid day Friday the crane arrived and stepped the mast, complete with a gold 5 guilder coin in the step. By the time Bob Matthews arrived Sunday evening the boat was re rigged, provisioned , watered fueled, and ready to go. Monday morning we checked out of Curacao and sailed to Baii Santa Marta, a secluded bay with a very narrow enterance near the Western end of the island in preparation for an early morning sail to Aruba.

Cartegena

We are in Cartegena, Columbia! The sailing from Aruba has been great, We will post pictures and more about the trip in a few days when we are a bit more settled.

Cartegena

We are in Cartegena, Columbia! The sailing from Aruba has been great, We will post pictures and more about the trip in a few days when we are a bit more settled.

even more pics

even more pics

more scuba pics

more scuba pics

Scuba pictures

Scuba pictures

Bonaire

For the last few days, after a quick stop in the marina for some cleaning, provisioning and laundry, we have been moored off Kralendijk, Bonaire. The whole island is surrounded by the “Bonaire National Marine Park” From the shoreline to 200 ft deep, the park encircles the island. No Anchoring is allowed, the park supplies mooring balls for $10 US/day. Only 200 ft from shore, the mooring is in about 20’ of water, under our stern the color changes to a dark blue as the sea floor drops off creating a “wall” or reef of 100’ or more, most of the island is like this, creating incredible diving opportunities. All the popular dive spots are marked with a yellow spar buoys. “Something special” is 100 yds to our north. Jumping in off the back of the boat, we have seen eels, spotted eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, and a hundred species of reef fish. http://www.bonairewebcams.com/YellowSubPierCamLarge.php This link should connect to the dive shop webcam, 200 yds to our south. By clicking on the title, with any luck,you should link with the underwater camera, 100yds north of us. Gary and Bradley Scuba dove off the boat, Wednesday, and Thursday the whole family and our friends from Solange V went to Klein Bonaire, and dove “The Forest” and “Gerry’s Sponges” Because it is a park the fish are larger and more plentiful than other places we have seen are not timid. Our underwater camera……well is more of a paperweight now so when we can we will try to post some of Kevin’s pics.

Bonaire

For the last few days, after a quick stop in the marina for some cleaning, provisioning and laundry, we have been moored off Kralendijk, Bonaire. The whole island is surrounded by the “Bonaire National Marine Park” From the shoreline to 200 ft deep, the park encircles the island. No Anchoring is allowed, the park supplies mooring balls for $10 US/day. Only 200 ft from shore, the mooring is in about 20’ of water, under our stern the color changes to a dark blue as the sea floor drops off creating a “wall” or reef of 100’ or more, most of the island is like this, creating incredible diving opportunities. All the popular dive spots are marked with a yellow spar buoys. “Something special” is 100 yds to our north. Jumping in off the back of the boat, we have seen eels, spotted eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, and a hundred species of reef fish. http://www.bonairewebcams.com/YellowSubPierCamLarge.php This link should connect to the dive shop webcam, 200 yds to our south. By clicking on the title, with any luck,you should link with the underwater camera, 100yds north of us. Gary and Bradley Scuba dove off the boat, Wednesday, and Thursday the whole family and our friends from Solange V went to Klein Bonaire, and dove “The Forest” and “Gerry’s Sponges” Because it is a park the fish are larger and more plentiful than other places we have seen are not timid. Our underwater camera……well is more of a paperweight now so when we can we will try to post some of Kevin’s pics.

Rico