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Caribbean is Calling (2024)

January - May 2024
A journey from January to June Read more
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  • 77footprints
  • 12countries
  • 116days
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  • TravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)
    Day 82

    Marina Puerto Bahia

    April 4 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Coffee was ready by the time Brian got up and we decided to contact the marina and make our way there tout suite.
    Not knowing what to expect or which side we would be coming in on, we got lines ready on either side and Brian walked me through the process…. He also asked for dinghy help. As we came in, a worker came aboard and took the lines and made the process easier.
    Once docked and settled, we got some food and proceeded to start the checkin process.
    You have to clear through immigration, coustoms and Navy (who boards the boat). I was a bit concerned as we didn’t check into Puerto Rico as we were supposed too, but it wasn’t questioned or a problem. Shepard (navy guy) came aboard and played Brian’s guitar and chatted (he spoke English too… which many do not). I connected the power and then Brian checked and added the second unit.
    We explored the premises and were going to do laundry but there were already loads going. We went back to the pool area but decided to jump in the ocean. We swam to the dock and to the water trampoline, then to the net which goes all the way down to the bottom…. Knowing that it likely means to keep certain sea creatures out…. We took a look and decided to proceed beyond it, to the small beach around the corner where Flamingo’s 🦩 in all there regality pranced about. They left the area when we emerged onshore, and we sat on a branch and watched them, marvelling at our privilege to see an experience such sights.
    We walked to the dock, and then jumped off, swam back to the pool area where we had left our things unattended, took a quick outdoor shower and headed back to the boat.
    There are three restaurants on the premise, and we went to the one attached to the building on the main floor. It was a challenge to make them understand Celiac, but Brian talked to the chef and we were able to order a meal, although not something I would get again (steak on top of coconut lentils) and salad.
    We chatted about how to get a new wind instrument (Brian called a place that had it, but not sure it would ship it in time - Sea Wire)….. bed early to catch up on sleep.    Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)
    Day 81

    Wind meter dies

    April 3 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Another magical day at sea even though the wind died down (not forecasted) and we had to turn on the engine. We changed course so we are not directly downwind but a wind angle of 125 (and bearing of 273).
    With the light winds we decided to experiment with the whisker pole again and unfurling the geneoa through it. We lounged on the deck for awhile, chatting about past and future sailing plans.
    Then decided to do some naked sailing as it was so hot and no wind! We put out the fishing pole and we’re getting ready to cool off with a bucket bath when a fish jumped on. I reeled the MahiMahi (also known as dolphin or Dorado) in my birthday suit, then proceeded to pour rum on the gills to kill her, and under Brian’s tutelage I cleaned and and fillet the fish. So much meat… and we even preserved the roe.
    After all that we finally took a bucket shower. The winds were starting to get swirly and I was questioning whether the wind indicator was working as it was not reading the same as the vain. Our wind speed indicator had stopped. We still set the sails to the wind indicator, but could not get wing on wing, so gave up.
    We had a beautiful MagiMahi meal with quinoa salad and decided to sleep soon after. The wind had died considerable and we were only travelling at 3-4km it’s, making our ETA 2-3am.
    Instead of taking shifts, we set the radar and AID alarms and both slept, waking every hour to check on the situation.
    When we hit the waypoint, we still had another 5-8miles to travel, and follow nav bouys into our anchorage, just outside the marina.
    The first time we dropped anchor, I felt (only using a flashlight) that we were really close to shore. We lifted and went another 100feet out.
    Once settled we headed to sleep. Brian was out for much longer then I was.    Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)
    1
    Day 80

    Ahoy!

    April 2, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    Had a conference call in the morning and a few work details to complete before we were set to leave for 240miles. We hoisted anchor around 11:15am and we’re on our way. Brian hoisted the dinghy solo, a task he will need to do once I leave the boat for 6 weeks. My trip to Curacao is coming soon and I am both excited and sad!
    We had a great day of sailing and the wind was perfect! We had the engine off within the hour and both sails up. As per usual, I didn’t sleep much on the first night.    Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)
    Day 79

    Cluebra

    April 1 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Up and decided to make water now that the Bay has emptied out. Unfortunately, there were issues with the water marker and Brian spent the morning fixing them.
    I had a FTHS call at noon and then needed to submit a grant proposal. Brian had tax paperwork that he needed to do as well, so I helped him sign electronically.
    We decided to go for a final swim… but I didn’t dive as my leg is bruised from the belly flop, but I did manage to do a decent dive from the side rail. We then hoisted anchor and headed to Cluebra.
    The charts caution against shipwrecks and unexploded bombs…. Yikes! We found a good spot and dropped the hook and quickly headed into town as it was getting late. We looked for fresh fruit people but the stalls were gone. We went to a grocery store and Brian was frustrated that we weren’t able to get fresh fruit, claiming we should have left earlier. We then went to the Zaco Toca that a FB friend of his recommend. He went to the bathroom and I was seated…. He thought I left so another miscommunication. We decided to not eat there and head back to the boat, but first we did a little tour on the dingy.
    Back to the boat to put away groceries, make supper and prepare for our voyage tomorrow.    Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)
    Day 78

    Easter Sunday

    March 31 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Today I didn’t want the smell of chemicals around me…. That was my goal.
    We woke up, and I went to watch the sunrise while Brian went about the regular morning chores — empty and put away the clean dishes, empty the water tray below the freezer in the top fridge, use the Britta water to boil water in a pot for coffe and use the rest of the cold water in the Britta to top off our water glasses that had come into the aft cabin with use, before refilling it from the tap. We opened a new bag of coffee (Lavazza, that I excitedly bought in Bequia for $89EC 😵‍💫) and I read Kon Tiki… a great book and a gift from Brian.
    Then wrote for awhile and made a big French toast breakfast with some gluten free bread I bought a week or so ago.
    I called Kirsten and we chatted for awhile, got caught up on the chaos her life has been but hopefully she will have more answers next week as she has been having ischimec events and a doctor is finally “on the case.”
    Then I tuned into the church service at First Baptist and caught the last 15-20 min and switched over to the service at Elevation Worship (in NC).
    Brian has boat chores he was determined to do such as a final layer of gloss in the top, take the tape off, and then be decided to strip the starboard toe rail…. But we have crappy stripper and he did more then he could manage, so I hoped in to help while he went and chatted with his cousin Mark. He came back but thankful the rain started and that ended our work.
    He had other boat things and I went about preparing food for the upcoming passage. I cooked broccoli, boiled eggs, par boiled sweet potatoes for super tonight and made date and peanut butter snacks that I freeze (good potion bites if the seas are rough).
    All the power boats were clearing out and it was just a few boats left in the bay. We decided to go for a quick swim, and I bravely did not one, but a determined two, belly flop dives of the roof of the pilothouse (12 feet or so) trying to teach myself to dive. Ouch!
    Then we headed to find a place to do a pastel…. I drove the dinghy for awhile but got nervous in the shallow waters and Brian took over and nestled us into a spot. I read and listened with amazement to all the bird and other animal sounds in and behind the mangrove. I felt like we had been dropped into the jungle in Costa Rica. The smell was also unusual and teetering on the edge of repugnant. Brian did a quick pastel… as the bugs had found us, he wrapped it up quickly.
    Back to the boat and we started preparing dinner…. The sweet potato fries took longer then expected (I still struggle using the propane stove on the boat and finding the right temperature (with no gauge inside, only dials outside which I don’t think are correct). Food was great and again we were tired from a busy day. Brian did a sketch (in his new book) and then played the guitar for a bit, before we retired to both read in bed. Usually I am to tired, but the book was captivating and I thought I could finish it, but sleep got to me first.    Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)
    1
    Day 76

    Good Friday

    March 29 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Lots of motor boats/ yachts coming into the bay for Easter weekend. They are all rafting together and forming a half circle around us.
    I had several calls today… chatted with Melanie (so good to talk to friends), called and messaged Steph for his Birthday, and spoke with a lifer who had spend 39 years in prison and was just released two years ago. Was interesting to get his perspective.
    In the afternoon we headed out to find a pastel and anchored on a tenuous spot. There are two anchors in the dinghy and Brian uses both when making art.
    When coming back to the boat we went for a swim and showered off the the transom before starting to prepare for dinner.    Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)
    Day 74

    Beach walk

    March 27 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Today and tomorrow will be work days, trying to get things done before the Easter weekend and we do another passage. The weather window looks like we will be leaving on Tuesday and traveling another 280 miles.
    My work days are always stressful as I try and juggle helping Brian with my other responsibilities. The boat is a lot of work for one person and sometimes he is overwhelmed and I can’t help, so it puts him in a foul mood. Thursday was one of those days and I was feeling very tender and torn.
    We did work on the boat, swam and Brian did a pastel of a beautiful beach, on an isolated peninsula while I read and walked.
    It is such a stunning area that photos do not do it justice! The colors of the water sparkle blue, green, brown and white. So nice to relax in a quiet anchorage for a few days!    Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)
    Day 73

    Impeller

    March 26 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    As is often the case, plans for the day get derailed when other parts of the boat call for attention. Each morning we run the generator for 2hours to try and charge the batteries. This morning I was in the head and heard it stop — not good news.
    When I came out Brian explained that the impeller would need to be changed and it was a two person job. I was able to invert and take my 8:30am call with Sebatien on my cell phone.
    After the call and a bit of work, we tackled the impeller and successfully changed it, so the generator is running again.
    After doing more Otesha work, we got the dinghy down and went for a little spin around the Bay… meeting other Salty Dawg catamaran couple, John and Rebecca (and kids Luc and Rachel). We also anchored the dinghy and Brian did a pastel while I started my new book, Kon-Tiki.
    Back on the boat Brian reworked the pastel, we got supper ready and he then played the guitar while I marvelled at the moon.    Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)
    Day 72

    Cluebra

    March 25 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    On my night watch (with Brian sleeping in the pilothouse), there was a large cruise ship that passed closeby. Later in the morning a freighter was on a collision course with us and Brian had me radio them (Carribean Force) to ask for instruction. Although I have the VHF course and have used it occasionally I don’t have much experience, so it was good practice.
    When we started to get closer to land I looked back at the fishing line that Brian had put out at Dawn and realized that something bigger then the cedar plug was trailing behind the boat. It was a Barracuda, but had died in the line and we didn’t keep it since we didn’t know how long it had been dead and what water it was caught in. There is a disease called Ciguatera, that is found in tropical fish life and is horrible for humans affecting the nervous system.
    Once we arrive in Culebra and anchored, we got some food and then headed for bed as we were both tired. Brian slept till nearly 6pm, but I was up a couple hours earlier and finally finished reading my book!! Then I called Kimmy ~ miss my friends.
    The alternator is not working to recharge the batteries and the generator is only sub par so we are limiting the amount of energy consumption, which means Starlink is off unless I am working.
    We weren’t up long before hitting the bed again. Brian stayed up to do some art but I was out by 8:30pm (and slept till 7am).    Read more

  • TravelerCaribbean is Calling (2024)
    Day 71

    Blue Magic

    March 24 in Sint Maarten ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Up early and made pancakes, a Sunday tradition. I had a board meeting at 9:30 and Brian was heading to Blue Magic to help with there refrigeration issues. Board meeting ran 1.5hours and I worked for another two on follow up things.
    Unfortunately, we couldn’t leave the Bay untill 4pm, when the bridge opened again. After I was finished working Brian wanted to take me for a little tour. We swung by Blue Magic to see how they were doing and Maria came with us. We ended up taking the dinghy to the soggy dollar, and walking to a beach. Sadly, on the beach a beautiful sailboat had washed ashore, likely due to the storm several weeks earlier (where we went to Point de Pitre to get away from it).
    We dropped Maria off, picked up the tools Brian had left with them and headed back to Lorena to quickly hoist the dinghy and anchor and make the 4pm draw bridge opening.
    Sails up and we waited for the wind to fill in as forecasted but it never happened so we motor sailed untill midnight and then dropped the sails and just motored. At least we had fairly calm seas and a beautiful moon.
    I laid down in the aft cabin from 9:30-11:30 and then was up untill 4:30am before heading aft to sleep again. The solitude during the night was actually really nice.    Read more

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