Adventures of Navigator: 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.