Hola! We're in the Dominican Republic!!!

Rainbow over anchorage in Georgetown

We FINALLY got a good weather window to go from Georgetown to Puerto Rico with several stops in between.  The first stop was in Rum Cay where both Slow Dancing (Dan and Melissa) and Navigator were beset with rolling seas at the anchorage.  The chart did note possible swells but could not possibly describe the constant motion and rolling of the boats.  After putting up with this the entire night, we took off for Turks and Cacaos early the next morning in 5 foot seas which seemed almost comfortable after the Rum Cay.  

First sighting of Dominican Republic

Kathy would like to stop here for a moment and try to explain to all of my non sailing friends why taking a trip of this magnitude is so exciting and exhilarating. First, it is a long time to spend in a confined space where almost nothing is convenient as is our USA homes.  Dishes have to be hand washed in hot, hot water, laundry is piled up until we make it to a marina.  Showering needs to be fast, military style so as not to use too much water and fresh fruits and vegetables are subject to availability in the small towns we dingy to.  Sooooooo, why is it so neat to do this?  Because, when I for one steer the boat through a blinding rainstorm or rolling 5 foot seas in the middle of the night, or simply create images of teddy bears, toy poodles from puffing clouds as we sail along, I am awed by the fact that I have such fortune to be physically capable to do this.  For every inconvenience, there is an opportunity to see and experience people and places that are entirely new to me.  Especially, when you go anywhere by boat, you are exposed to sights that take your breath away.

Ocean World, Domincan Republic

So, back to the adventure.  After motor sailing through the night, both boats arrived in Cacaos Marina in the afternoon.  All crew were tired and Cliff pulled out his special spaghetti sauce and invited Marissa and Dan to a spaghetti dinner on Navigator.  We turned in early and started out the very next day for Ocean World in the Dominican Republic which took another overnight motor sail.  Note that each area we have gone to requires customs check-in and out and, so far has been rather convenient in that the officials have been coming to our boats.  

Ocean World is a kind of Florida Sea World where they have dolphin and seal shows complete with Spanish style music and language.  Hard to believe that seals and dolphins can respond to Spanish commands but they do!!!  

We decided to take a cab trip into town for lunch and anything else that might interest the four of us. We had our own personal cab driver who dropped us off at a great restaurant and then waited for us to take us anywhere else we wanted.  During the drive to the restaurant, our cabbie pointed out the cable car to the top of the highest mountain and said that although he had lived in the area all of his life, he had never taken the trip.

Melissa, Dan, Cliff and Kathy patiently waiting for Cable Car

Cliff suggested that we go.  When we arrived, we talked our cabbie into going with us and waiting patiently while listening to a merengue band (very loud) for our turn to ride the car.  The views were incredible but more surprising was that there was the most amazing rain forest type garden at the top of the mountain.  Our little group exited the car and proceeded to walk for an hour around this park. We were so glad that we got to see this and also the beauty of the Dominican Republic.

Gardens on top of the mountain

Talked Cabbie into going
 with us on Cable Car

View from Cable Car

  

Very top of Mountain and Melissa assumes the pose!!!!!

 
Today, we have arrived at a resort marina in Samana where we are currently resting from our overnight all sailing adventure from Ocean World.

More to follow!

Marsh Harbor to Georgetown!!!

Arrived in Marsh Harbor on Friday, December 12^th…Spent first night anchored out but had a couple of boat problems and decided to go to the marina for repairs. Marina and Jib Room owner, Tom, Steve, his son and Jason were charming and helpful. The next day, we ventured into Marsh Harbor to the Marine Store to get a part for the dinghy motor, found a place for a good lunch and then walked to Maxwells’s new grocery store.  Taken with the amazing amount of inventory, we sort of over bought with the ramification of carrying several heavy bags of groceries for what seemed an eternity back to the dinghy.  Another day, Cliff and I both got our hair cut at the local beauty parlor and then meandered through the assortment of island stores for the rest of the afternoon.

On December 17^th, we left and headed to Linyard Cay, anchored and left the next morning for Royal Island Harbor, anchored and on the next day, headed for Allan’s Cay to see the Iguana’s.  Alas, there was no room in the harbor but it was a shock to see numerous iguanas on the beach sunning themselves and maybe looking for food handouts from the tourist.  We decided to go south for 2 more hours to Shroud Cay where we picked up a mooring ball for the night. 

On to Exuma Cay’s Land and Sea Park in the Northfield at Warerick Wells.  What a magnificent place.  Cliff and I hiked to Boo Boo Hill, the highest point on the island and a wonderful overlook. Alas, all of the wonderful pictures of this place were somehow lost when I tried to transfer my camera to the computer.  So, will have to take my word for it…Don’t ever miss going to Warerick Wells if you come to the Bahamas.  Some of the trails are actually made up of limestone rock which to me seemed downright prehistoric.

There was so much to do there and there were several families there for Christmas as well.  Cliff and I spent Christmas Eve there and then took off Christmas Day for Blockpoint to anchor and call my children on Christmas. The next day, we ventured to Lee Stocking Island , an abandoned Caribbean Marine Research Center which struck us as a huge waste of a beautiful island.

Sandals, Emerald Bay

Sandals

Next to Emerald Bay Marina which is now owned by Sandals (Emerald Bay). We arrived a day early to meet our friends Melissa and Dan on Blue Dancer who will accompany us on our adventure to Trinidad. Cliff and I had Bahama Pinacolada’s and a great lunch at the restaurant and also a delightful walk on the beach to Sandals to look around.

Monument on Stocking Island

Arrived in Stocking Island, Georgetown on December 29^th and anchored out along with several other boats waiting for a good weather window to take off South.  This area is surprising as it is kind of a boat community minus the marina where everyone either knows or tries to know each other.  They have beach volley ball, cocktail hours, morning radio broadcasts, etc. etc. etc.  The dinghies are constantly moving from boat to boat, to Georgetown, or to Stocking Island. 

Cliff and I celebrated New Year’s Eve on Dan and Melissa’s boat and all four of us went to shore to dance at a local club. 

EYC in Georgetown???????

At this writing, we are still in Georgetown and waiting for a weather window to take off.  More later.

 

Following Cliff up the path to monument

View from half way up the hill

View from monument on Stocking