Punta Hicaca, Dominican Republic - April 18-20
Tiki hut with wild cows taking a walk on the beach.
Breathtaking views.... the pictures do no justice.
Wish you could see it!
Wish you could see it!
Marty
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Our nooky nook while waiting to cross the Mona Passage
Yay! It's raining and pouring in Puerto Rico!!
Mona Passage - April 21st-23rd
Mayaguez, Puerto Rico - April 24th-26th
Puerto Real, Cabo Rojo, P.R. - April 27th - May2nd
Being left to rely on our emergency 5 gallon water jug a few weeks ago has us considering a watermaker. No rain, and the water in our tank started growing! Nassau was suspect as there were so many microscopic particles that the filter kept clogging. Fortunately, no one got ill and the tank health is restored.
Ray in his "car".
Fernando invited the kids to sail with him. Ray is so excited because Fernando let Ray steer.
Maribel, the master paddle-boarder, is keeping up with them.
This little bay is so calm. It's calmer than being at a dock. Located on the west side of Puerto Rico, the waves have not directed themselves this way. We experienced some of the northeastern wave action from the Atlantic on the way here.
Fishermen out and about
The Mona Passage is known to be quite difficult when winds are high. The waves come across the north of Puerto Rico unbroken from the Atlantic towards the Diminican Republic. In the middle of very deep depths, over 3000 feet, there is a bank with depths as shallow as 38 feet. Wave intensity can be ferocious. The winds are generally from some easterly direction which makes a sailing trip east 3 times as long. 
Dale wanted to keep us company on our overnight watch. I think she read 2 books on our 2 night passage.
Dan was sailing along the 2nd morning and happened to notice that our port shroud was broken! My fast-acting guy tacked to ease the strain on the shroud and dropped the sails. He then reinforced that side with all the available halyards and saved our mast! Imagine how happy we were that the day involved low wind - only to 8 knots, and the waves had calmed considerably, since we had to motor 38 nm to the next port. It helped to be in the lee of Puerto Rico.
See what looks like Spanish Moss hanging off the outer left cable? There are only a few strands left holding one of the 3 cables that support the mast.
We soon realized another dilemma...... we ran out of gas for our diesel generator! Planning on sailing all the way, preparing for motoring didn't cross our minds. Plus the diesel generator doesn't use much to help charge our typically solar-powered electric motors. Usually there is plenty for all our needs.
Soon after, a ship hails us. It is the coast guard. They ask a lot of information but don't offer help. Which I expect. Generally, they rescue people if needed but not boats. But, I ask if we might obtain diesel from them and they say they will check. Then, a bunch of guys bring over, not 5, but 10 gallons of fuel for us, do a safety check and not charge us a thing. They say it's their duty to protect us since we are citizens. Rescued by the awesome coast guard!
We are so fortunate and thankful that we won't be motoring all day and night at 2 knots, now we can motor for 1 day at 4 knots!
Isla Desecheo, enroute to Mayaquez
It rained toward the evening, just a tease, without even pumping the wind up much. There were several sailing jellyfish, pink, that looked like a Barbie accessory. They were too fast for me to get a picture but I will always remember that strange sight. We thought at first that they were pink plastic cups thrown overboard by a cruise ship.
After midnight, we motor into the big bay of Mayaquez, the closest port. This is the 3rd biggest city in Puerto Rico and the water shows the effects. The following day we prepare to clear in with customs just as a rainstorm blows in, which blows us off our anchor. Happy that we were still on the boat, we finally use 2 anchors to hold us in the mucky muck.
I wouldn't recommend anyone clearing in here, though it is supposed to be an easy port of entry. The paperwork was easy but they have no dinghy dock only a huge, industrial dock to tie up the giant ferries. They suggested we beach our boat nearby, which was very shallow with surf and smell. We found later that the prop was damaged there.
Finally, we found an appropriate dock to tie up near a park within walking distance. There were flowering trees, very colorful houses, a horse with extra long mane and friendly people on the way.
A woman named Tanya directed us to another dock with a grocery store within walking distance. I could get my half & half fix! We were starting to get so low on food that we started being creative enough to know that, really, we still had a lot of food! I made more loaves of bread that didn't turn out brick-like! Split pea soup, yum, yum. Lots of rice! More sushi!
(by the way, all the beer is diet beer. It's "light" and only 10 ounces. What's up with that?)
Happily, on Saturday morning, we motored on to cleaner water. Awaiting parts here amidst late night music and early morning rooster rousings along with dogs barking and a symphony of animal sounds to wake up to. Pretty nice.
After pestering my bosses so much about letting me field check the maps we drew of Puerto Rico, I finally get to see it from the ground!
Marty
Monday, April 8, 2013
Dominican Republic
It was a dark and stormy night the eve before Good Friday when we arrived in the Dominican Republic. And it was late. We found perfect shelter from the northeast wind behind a big hill in Los Cacaos Bay. Surprisingly the whole town was awake and playing music and playing in the water and partying in general. Semana Santa (the week of Easter) is a big deal here.
The next day was still rainy but the partying continued for most. The hard-working fishermen were not partying. They were fishing. They spread out their huge nets with their rowboat and 2 swimmers stationed themselves at either end. The swimmers splashed the water to scare the fish into the net while the fishermen heaved on the lines. They were out every day we were there.
I think this is the most beautiful place I've seen. The mountains are dramatic and green. There are flowers and palm trees. We rode horses to a waterfall. On the way, many plants were pointed out to us.... coffee, cocoa, grapefruit, breadfruit, anise, avocado and pineapple. The land is very rich and the inhabitants poor.
Cascada El Limon
On the road between Las Terrenas & Sanchez. Lots of steep hills!
Overlooking Samana Bay
Tomorrow we head south and west from here - we are at a marina near Samana - to Los Haitises National Park. We will return here to clear out of D.R. to go to Puerto Rico. No wifi!
For Ona & Aunt Grace.... truck selling orchids. They have roses in the back.
One of Dale's flower creations.
Ray made us pancakes. I think it's a sign!!!
A year of the Bond voyage
April 9th marks a year on the boat!
Barb, Katie (& Amber) with the best send-off sign ever.
This year has been an awesome travel experience with a steep learning curve, many repairs and a new appreciation of teachers. We miss our friends and family! I (Marty) have had opportunities to vacation from this vacation over the year. I was able to go to my niece Megan's wedding in Woodland, CA last May. The kids and I escaped Fort Lauderdale to Ft. Myers and then to Arizona in August while Dan labored in sealing leaks and installing shaft drives. Then all of us came to AZ for a few weeks in December/January. It was so nice to see everyone that we got to see! So happy that you are following along with us in spirit!
Ray and Dale with Lucia Spring 2012.
Can't believe how much muscle one year has put on these two. Dale can do about 25 push-ups (with one hand) and Ray doesn't even have to use the trick of pushing his biceps up with his other hand. He is the rowing king.
Sunny Ray even had some visitors over the year!
Ken, Barb & Kenny visited us in May while we were still in Texas. It was so appropriate that you got to be here the very first time we were able to anchor out in Sunny Ray! Just like a lake trip ( except for that one motion med).
So many dolphins in Port Aransas!
Dan & Dale with sweet sisters Pam & Sue in May. Bob & Ray in Port A. So glad you could stop in for an evening!
Pam & Bob saw us off from Port A as well as Marsha, Ralph, Barb, Buddy, Olaf, Ron & Stratos with Liz in spirit from the municipal marina. That was sweet, Thanks for the yummy food and thanks for the pictures, Olaf!
Zula & Hank came aboard in St. Pete in June. Many fond memories. I want to go to Cody's again!
Lou & Rip hanging out with us in Stuart, Florida in September.
Lisa & Lou in Tucson. Thanks for including us for Christmas!
Cousins Dale & Megan.
Dave & Jen, you are so awesome for driving more hours than you could stay just to come see us!
Kenzie!
January in Stuart.
Ray & Lela in February
Once in the Bahamas, we realized the kid's passports were about to expire. Party foul! It became a fortunate event when Dan's parents were able to meet us in Nassau and play for the week!
Sorry we missed you in St. Maarten, Rychetskys. I hope no repairs stand in our way next time. Surely, everything is fixed now!
We are hoping for visitors in this beautiful sea.
Thanks for being part of our adventure!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Dream anchorage, Atwood Harbor
This is the most beautiful anchorage we've ever visited. I guess it's no secret to the uber rich, because the only other yachts we saw here were mega yachts. You know, with a heli pad and a paid crew of gorgeous people cleaning the decks.
I went hunting and came across a couple of lobsters, mmm yummy. A little shark decided he wanted my kill and started following me home. If he was big he may have convinced me to drop them.
Lobster rolls. We are really spoiled now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)