Friday 22 May 2015

In time for happy hour

Well, we are back in Montego Bay and so happy to be here.

Yaaaaaaaayyyyy!!!!!!!

Thursday 21 May 2015

So close

Today we are feeling good. We were up early and on our way before that pesky sparrow got all farty on us. (Speaking of birds, the Captain found some crab legs on top of the doger (the cover over where we sit) this morning and either the crab forget something or the bird that sat on the boom and ate the crab missed a few pieces.)

Now we are chillin' in Discovery Bay, listening to the battle of the beach music stands and getting psyched for our arrival home tomorrow - here we come Montego Bay!


If you'd like to follow along, we are at: N18 27.851 W77 24.112
Copy the GPS location above, click through to http://netvicious.com/gps/ and paste the coordinates in the box in the upper left hand corner. Push the 'Convert and map' button and you will see where we are. On the upper right hand side is an option to toggle map vs satellite view.

Wednesday 20 May 2015

A little bit wet



We are sitting on anchor in the rain in Ocho Rios. The rain waited until the Captain went forward to the bow to prep the anchor (it must have a sense of humor.) We could have beat the rain, but the Wednesday cruise ship pulled off the dock and into the channel before us, and well, we don't argue right of way with cruise ships!

The motor sail from Port Antonio was uneventful, and we will continue to work our way along the north coast towards Montego Bay. It was sad to say goodbye to new friends in Port Antonio, but such is the life of a cruiser - meet new people, sail away...

If you'd like to follow along, we are at: N18 24.616 W77 06.503
Copy the GPS location above, click through to http://netvicious.com/gps/ and paste the coordinates in the box in the upper left hand corner. Push the 'Convert and map' button and you will see where we are. On the upper right hand side is an option to toggle map vs satellite view.

Monday 18 May 2015

Yah, mon



Oh, the familiar sounds of a Jamaican accent. We are happy to be back "on island," as they say, arriving in Port Antonio marina in the early hours of this morning.

We've checked in with customs and immigration, bought some basic provisions (beer, bacon and tea) and now we are ready for a nap. Signing out for now...

If you'd like to follow along, we are at: N18 10.86 W76 27.26
Copy the GPS location above, click through to http://netvicious.com/gps/ and paste the coordinates in the box in the upper left hand corner. Push the 'Convert and map' button and you will see where we are. On the upper right hand side is an option to toggle map vs satellite view.

Friday 15 May 2015

Coming out of our safe haven


We've stayed here in Ile à Vache, Haiti, for so long that we've forgotten what the outside world looks like. Our days here have been a haze of relaxation and easy socializing with other cruisers. Throw in a few visits ashore to check out the last remaining beaches and chatter with the local boys who paddle up to our boat and try to sell us whatever delicacies they have - usually lobster or bananas - and this charming little island has lulled us into a trance-like state. We could stay here forever, and for a few days last week, it felt like we might have to.

The weather window has finally opened, so we take off for Jamaica tomorrow (Saturday) morning.  We expect to reach Port Antonio sometime on Sunday. And from there, it's just a few day-sail hops until we're home in Montego Bay.

The end is near.  I think we're going the right way now.

If you'd like to follow along, we are at: N18 06.259  W73 41.730
Copy the GPS location above, click through to http://netvicious.com/gps/ and paste the coordinates in the box in the upper left hand corner.  Push the 'Convert and map' button and you will see where we are. On the upper right hand side is an option to toggle map vs satellite view. 

Thursday 7 May 2015

Slower than usual

Alright, let's get the gory bit over with right up front.

The Crew, as you may be aware, has a tremendous appetite and a usually tough stomach, except when, well, when it's not so tough.  Things have been a bit "loose" around here so there has been some sugar water re-hydration solution in order and not a lot going on other than trips from the bed to the head and back again.

The Captain, who has a stomach made of iron, (either that or he eats and digests so quickly the bacteria don't have time to know what they missed) is fine, and has been playing nurse extraordinaire. "I'm sure she did it just to get out of doing dishes," he might have been heard to say.

Now that's over, let me tell you a bit about our adventures going to the mainland.

But first, I want to introduce "Udders of the Island," a video series done by some charming American young men detailing life on Ile à Vache, Haiti. I met their mother several days back. The video linked here is about the recent sailing regatta the locals had on the island. We've been watching these boats go out every day to check lobster pots and fishing nets, and move people and supplies from one place to another. The boats do not have any sort of engine nor a keel, so getting the boat to go anywhere is all up to setting the sails just so.  The Captain and I have been very envious of their skills!


The offending dish that caused all of the upset, was actually eaten at Les Cayes, the town on the mainland which we visited on Monday.  It is very different from Ile à Vache, an urban centre where the poverty of this country is more evident. We were successful in provisioning and getting fuel and drinking water, which was good.  We also ate a yummy chicken and rice dinner, which was not so good for me... (see above).

The trip to the island involved trip via a water taxi, then a hop onto a smaller boat that was punted closer to shore and then a piggy back (!!!!) to a very dirty bank.  This "Udders of the Island" episode captures it very nicely, although the day we went there was a pretty good swell running making it even more exciting!
 



The wind and seas are still running pretty high, so we plan to stay right where we are for another week or so. Don't worry, we shall be enjoying Prestige Beer and locally prepared cashews.