3-03-08
Dan and I parted ways with Chinook for three days and traveled to Old Town San Juan and El Yunque National Rain Forest. Upon our arrival in Old San Juan, Dan discovered a beautiful small luxury hotel, Hotel El Convento (an old Convent). Of course, we made our reservations just in time for their wine and cheese happy hour! Actually, the location of our hotel was excellent! During our stay in Old San Juan, we toured El Marro Fort, the Bacardi Rum factory, San Cristobal Fort, and Old San Juans' beautiful historical town. The architecture is one of a kind and very well maintained. Departing Old San Juan, we drove about 1.5 hours to El Yunque National Forest, Rio Grande. This is the only tropical forest in the U.S. National forest system. An unforgettable back-to-nature kind of day...yes, we live on a boat but we were hiking on land!
3-10-08
Finally, a weather window opened and we were able to depart Punta Salinas, Puerto Rico and set sail for The Spanish Virgin Islands, Isla De Vieques, Ensenada Sun Bay.
N18. 05.5
W65. 27.5
After departing by 3am, we set sail for the Spanish Virgins (50 miles). Arrived at Sun Bay by 3pm., enjoyed a lovely dinner (cooked by Dan) and sundowners...After a refreshing rainfall, we traveled by dinghy to Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay. One of the finest bioluminescent bays in the world, it produces an eerie glow (in the water at night). One-celled organisms cause the bioluminescences, but their effects are magic. Such bays are rare because the fragile dinoflagellates causing the glow depend on protected mangrove shorelines in warm tropical waters with very particular conditions...Nature... Dan jumped in for a swim and glowed neon green...
3-12-08
Departed Sun Bay to Isla De Culebra, Ensenada Honda
N18. 18. 02
W65. 18. 05
Just in time for the Culebra Heineken International Regatta...Several of our cruiser friends made their way to the annual event. Heineken knows how to throw a good regatta... As for the Island, the town offers a variety of restaurants, bars...etc. Most importantly, Culebra is quoted as having one of the top 10 beached in the world, Flamenco Beach! Whoever decided this, did not attend the beach during spring break...
3-16-08
Culebra to the British Virgin Islands, West Indies, West End, Tortola...Sopers Hole
N18. 24
W64. 42
We finally made it to B.V.I.... Dan cleared customs and we were ready for Jolly Rogers famous BBQ Ribs and Chicken...First, we needed to have a Rum Punch and a Dark an Stormy at Pussers.
3-17-08 through 3-31-08
West End, Tortola to Norman Island
N18. 18. 5
W64. 39.5
Eventually returning to U.S Virgin Islands, St. John and St. Thomas
N18. 20. 6
W64. 47. 3
Ahhh, we did not forget about St. Patrick's Day! Dan and I managed to find our way to the famous Willie T's for a shipwreck of a good time! Before enjoying a colorful party, we spent the afternoon diving at the Indians from Chinook.
The Day following, Dan and I sailed towards the Virgin Islands, to prepare for his parents arrival...Barb and Jack joined us for four sun filled days. We had a very nice and relaxing time with them, and we celebrated a 76th birthday! Happy Birthday Jack!
Following his parents departure, our friend Mike and his daughter Page jumped aboard for a four-day tour! We were able to enjoy sunny weather, catching my first grouper and the St. Thomas International Regatta. After Mike and Page's visit, Dan and I took a short leave from Chinook. We traveled to Anna Maria Island, FL to spend two weeks with Dan's parents.
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Comments [1]
courtney & paulie
2-20-08
Dan and I departed Luperon with a full moon and a full lunar eclipse, a true sailing experience! We departed Luperon to Rio San Juan, D.R.
N19. 39.3
W70. 04.7
Rio San Juan is the first of three connections to reach Puerto Rico. Departing Luperon by 9pm, we reached Rio San Juan by 8:30 am (50 miles). Rio San Juan is a little fishing village and a resting spot for cruisers.
2-21-08
Our adventure towards Puerto Rico (day two)...Depart Rio San Juan to Escondido (50 miles in 13 hours, departing at 11pm and arrive at 1pm).
N19. 18
W69. 20
Our stay in Escondido was short but our favorite anchorage! Beautiful island untouched by civilization. Wish we could have stayed longer but we have a weather window to catch for the Mona Passage.
2-22-08
Escondido to Samana, D.R.
N19. 11.5
W69. 19. 1
Samana is known for their whale-watching season and is our last official stop before crossing the Mona Passage. We enjoyed a relaxing evening with Hot-Latte-Tudes and a dinner ashore (pizza)! Before our departure, we crossed the Napoleon Causeway over Samana Bay and collected some Dominican artifacts. Unfortunately, we did not manage to see 1 of the 3000 mating whales!
2-23-08 through 2-24-08
Crossing the Mona Passage and arriving in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
N17. 57
W66. 37
A perfect weather window for crossing the Mona...a 160 mile journey consisting of two nights and two days at sea...Dan and I slept in two-hour shifts, read books, and enjoyed a wonderful crossing. We decided to head for Ponce, Puerto Rico to clear customs, which led us into a short sail of ruff water but worth the journey! We are definitely back on U.S. territory...customs, security and Burger Kings. Dan and I took advantage of Ponce by touring cities historical sites and visiting their local Wal-Mart for provisions (yikes).
2-29-08
Depart Ponce for Caja De Muertos (coffin Island)
N17. 53
W66. 31
Caja De Muertos is a state park and a staging area for us to depart for Salinas. We enjoyed a hike to the light house built in 1891 and saw the largest cactus trees we've ever seen. Along the shoreline, we collected unique blue and green rocks.
3-01-08
Departed Caja De Muertos to Punta Salinas
N17. 56
W66. 17
While anchored in Punta Salinas, we ventured into the Marina, toured the local community, and found much needed laundry facilities (not much of interest). However, Punta Salina is a safe anchorage to leave your boat if you want to explore the island. Dan and I decided to rent a car and go exploring for a couple of days. We toured parts Puerto Rico including Old Town San Juan (El Marro Fortress, The San Cristobal Fort, The Bacardi factor and El Yunque National Forest in Rio Grande. Puerto Rico (Old San Juan) is rich with culture and architecture...beautiful...but we are ready to catch our next weather window and head for the Spanish Virgin Islands.
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2-6-08
Weather window opened and we departed from Sapodilla Bay to Ambergris Cay
N21. 19
W71. 39
Great motor-sail from Sapodilla Bay to Ambergris Cay, lots of sunshine and 25 knots of wind. Ambergris Cay is known for a "wax-like" substance that is excreted by the humpback whales that pass through the Turks Island passage and that is often found on the windward shore of Big Ambergris...not planning to go ashore and walk the beach! Actually, it is Humpback Whale season here. Over 3,000 whales pass through Turks passage on their way to Samana Bay, Dominican Republic. Humpback whales come to the Silver Bank (Banco de la Plata) off the north coast of D.R. for their breeding season...Yes, Dan and I are whale watching.
2-7-08
After a nights rest, we departed Ambergris Cay for South Caicos
N21. 28.70
W71. 31.70
Not much to say about South Caicos...Dan and I went ashore, returned to our boat and were happy to depart...Sketchy!
2-8-08
South Caicos to Great Sand Cay
N21. 11.65
W71. 15.50
You will enjoy this...a 20 mile sail took us 9 hours. We had a beautiful day. Great Sand Cay is our last island before our over night sail to D.R. Great Sand Cay, was once a habitat for the west Indian monk seal and the manatee before they were hunted to extinction. Upon our arrival, ten other cruisers, a conch horn, and a full moon greeted us. Once again, Dan and I were just in-time for happy hour. Life is Good!
2-10-08 through 2-11-08
Depart Great Sand Cay for Luperon, Dominican Republic (Hispaniola), located on the north coast of D.R.
N19. 55.50
W70. 56.50
80 miles in 16 hours, one tack and a star filled night. Brilliant! By sunrise, we reached our waypoint and celebrated the journey with 10 other cruisers who reached the same bay. Luperon is surrounded by lush green mountains and rainforest. Luperon Anchorage is the safest hurricane hole is the Caribbean for the cruising world. The local community is a pleasantly friendly, simple, and affordable. Dan and I are expanding our spanglish skills and thoroughly enjoy the culture. For the past week, we have explored the island by bus, Gua-gua, and foot. We have been entertained by cock fighting, local discos, waterfall tours, a soap rock museum, and a day travel to Puerto Plata...locals...locals...
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