Hugh
12/01/09, Brazil to Grenada

This sunset was very unusual, it looked unbelievable.....but did it mean something........

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Hugh
12/01/09, Brazil to Grenada

Then we started getting a breeze again, and sailing with he dodger down, hatches open.....felt great.

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Hugh
12/01/09, Brazil to Grenada

Yes we did also get some rain while motoring through the doldrums

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Hugh
12/01/09, Brazil to Grenada

No wind......no swell....just peace and quite

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Hugh
12/01/09, Brazil to Grenada

Then we got to the doldrums where there was no wind and we had to do a lot of motoring. It is an unbelievable feeling sitting out at sea, far away from anything, no wind, flat water and no engine......so quite and peaceful....very special, but then when sailing on a schedule........after a few days it can become frustrating.

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Hugh
12/01/09, Brazil to Grenada

Then we crossed the equator and had to do the ceremony, we made up the necessary attire with cardboard and tin foil....

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Hugh
12/01/09, Brazil to Grenada

We also had some really great sunsets....and the boat sailing along at a nice speed on flat seas...

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Hugh
12/01/09, Brazil to Grenada

It was just wonderful sailing....

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Hugh
12/01/09, Brazil to Grenada

So the first week we had some great sailing, as per the brochure.....

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Hugh
03/01/09, Clarkes Court Bay Marina, Grenada

Well we have landed safely in Grenada, after a very challeging trip. After thinking this would be our dream leg........it just may be one we want to forget......no not that bad. We started out with 8 days of fantastic sailing, the weather was great, we felt great and Pizzazz was sailing like a dream, we made some good time and thought we were going to arrive much sooner than we had thought, until we got to the Amazon and the doldrums........we had 4 days of no or very little wind, which sounds great, but when sailing to a schedule, it can be very frustrating. We were 420 miles offshore when passing the Amazon, and we went through some very uncomfortable seas, sometimes feeling like river rapids out there, it felt very strange. Then we came to where instead of chasing rainbows...we were dodging and running away from Squalls........On Xmas eve we got hit with a system where thinking it was only another squall, so ran with it for about an hour, with 3 reefs in the main and a foresail smaller than a storm jib, eventually it got too much and we hove to (set sails so boat sat in one place like on anchor) for 30 hours.........we did this again on the 25th for about 4 hours, 26th for 1 hour and 27th for about 3 hours......We had 2 days of nice sailing about 300 mile out of Grenada, and then on our arrival in Grenada on the 2nd January 2009, we were hit with more squalls. On the 1st Jan, we were sailing along at 7-8 knots and made some time up and thought we may make it in before dark....but we had 13 miles to go when we decided to abort our entry, so we hove to again until 4:00 in the morning and then slowly made our way in to our mooring. So we are here and our great friend Barbara, arrived on the ferry from Carriacou the same day, great to have her on board. The weather here has not been great but we are enjoying being here and just relaxing in the cockpit catching up with Barbara. So on Tuesday I return to Angola.

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Hugh
09/12/08, Jacare, Brazil

So we arrived back on the boat safely, just had a delay in Sao Paulo, only arrived on the boat at 3:00am Saturday. Well we have worked hard in the heat and we are just about ready to leave. We had planned on checking out with Custums & Immigration on Monday, but it was a holiday here, so we are going in today, Tuesday, and hopefully they are there to complete this. We are hoping to pull up our 2 anchors tomorrow morning at low tide, and then leave about 12:00, when the tide will change and assist us out of the river. So hopefully until the Caribbean, cheers.

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Hugh
02/12/08, Jacare, Brazil

Well the time has come for us to go and chase some more rainbows, today is my last day of work for another 35 days. I fly to Joburg tomorrow and because we will be missing Christmas in South Africa, we will be having our Christmas on Thursday evening. We fly out to Brazil on Friday morning, arriving on the boat after midnight on Friday night.
We have quite a bit to organise before we can take off, the main thing being checking out with Immigration & Customs, which because we arrive Friday night, we can only check out on Monday. So we hope to be gone by Tuesday but hopefully latest Wednesday.
So depending on the weather and all things going well, we hope do make this trip in between 2-3 weeks. Our destination will depend on the time we take, as if we do it in good time, we want to stop off in Tobago, but if we takes the 3 weeks, then we will be going straight up to Carriacou, where our dear friends, Dave & Barbara, from Kasheter, are expecting us. Then we will have to leave them after New Year to take up our mooring in Grenada, before I return on the 6th January.
So as we prepare for our dream leg, we would like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas, as our next blog should hopefully be from the Caribbean..........

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Hugh
21/11/08, Jacare, Brazil

This is a pic of Pizzazz before leaving Simonstown....

Well 2 weeks to go for us before we should be back on Pizzazz, and we are really looking forward to this leg of our adventure. Arriving in the Caribbean on our own boat is something we have been working towards for a very long time now. We arrive back on Pizzazz at about midnight on the 5th December, which is a Friday, so will not be able to book out of the Brazil until Monday, so it will give us the weekend to get the few things done before we leave, we would like to be gone by latest the 10th December, but the Customs & Immigration process will be the deciding factor of when we leave, and also the weather. We have loaded with Diesel, so have to load fresh water, last bits of fresh veg & fruit, beers & wine, we also have to clean the hull and prop, which hopefully will be done on the Sunday. We have just short of 2000 miles to cover and are hoping for some good weather and sailing, we hope to be in Tobago for Christmas, but will be tight, if not we will be having our Christmas at sea. We should have some following seas and winds until we cross the equator, which should be around the Amazon, after that we will be getting more north easterly winds and swell, which could be some great sailing, but if the wind and swell picks up, it could be a very wet sail, with swell hitting the starboard side of the boat. Our trip will also be influenced by the doldrums, we are hoping to do this trip in about 15/16 days......but who knows........

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Hugh
01/11/08, Argentina

It was magnificent.......

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Hugh
01/11/08, Argentina

Then we were off to the Iguazu Falls which is something to see. We spent 3 days here at the Sheraton Hotel which is located on the Argentinian side, and within the National Park, which was great as it was all just within walking distance to see it all. We went on a boat ride that took us right into the falls, where you get soaked...but was fun, our trip included a ride down the river and then they dropped us off and then got onto a safari truck and then toured through the thick bush of the National Park.

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Hugh
01/11/08, Argentina

Our evening out to dinner and Tango show was very enjoyable....including our Tango lesson......

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Hugh
01/11/08, BA, Argentina

The shopping is unbelievable and the mall's are really something to see.

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Hugh
01/11/08, Argentina

This used to be the old harbour, the buildings on the left were all warehouses, but now expensive restaurants, but some beautiful yachts around....

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Hugh
01/11/08, Argentina

Another pic of the buildings in Buenos Aires

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Hugh
31/10/08, Jacare, Brazil

So after a "milk run" flight to Buenos Aires, meaning "Fair winds", stopping in Salvador and Rio, we arrived at our hotel at about 3:00am...after leaving the boat at 10:00am the previous day. Travelling through Buenos Aires at 3:00 in the moning did not give us a good first impression of the place but were pleasantly surprised when we eventually left our hotel later that day. It is a beautiful city and the more we saw the more we wanted to see. The shopping was unbelievable, the quality of goods was just great, the buildings are very european with a lot of history. The best of all were the steaks......their steaks they serve in any restaurant was excellent, actually unbelievable. We did a city tour and then one evening went on an evening out for dinner and a Tango show, which was great. We were collected for the show from the hotel, then when arriving at the location, we were taken into a dancing studio, which we thought was strange, only to find out that before dinner or the show, we were to have a tango dancing lesson!!!! we thought we were in the wrong place....but after the lesson, for about an hour, we were issued with a certificate to prove we had done a Tango dancing lesson.......so we had a great time, the show was also excellent.

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Hugh
31/10/08, Jacare, Brazil

So thanks for all the comments made, always nice to get some feedback. So we arrived on Pizzazz after mid night and all was well with Pizzazz, except for the big Cat next to us that had rubbed on Pizzazz's gelcoat again.......but glad to be there. We had a very social time there as got to spend a lot more time with other cruises, so had another party on Pizzazz, inviting all our mates and others, we had braai's at the Marina club house, where we had goat for the first time, we enjoy beef much better. We then got down to a few projects on Pizzazz in preparation for her next leg to the Caribbean in December, so she is ready to leave except for last minute fresh water, veg & fruit and a last cleaning of Pizzazz's bottom. The growth on the bottom of the boat is unbelievable. So after breakfast with our neighbours on the day of our departure to Argentina, we caught our taxi to Recife airport.

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Hugh
27/09/08, Jacare, Brazil

Well an update on our plans until the end of the year. Pizzazz is still moored up the river in Jacare, we have booked our mooring in the Caribbean for next year. The pic above is where we will be leaving Pizzazz, the marina is Clarkes Court Bay Marina. It is situated on the southern coast of Grenada. We have booked a place until the end of June and then we are not sure where we will be taking Pizzazz for the next huricane season, from the end of June till the end of November, we will make up our minds when we get to Grenada.

The trip from where we are in Jacare Brazil to Tobago is roughly 2000 miles. We will be leaving Jacare about the 8/9th December and hope to get to Tobago for Christmas, then stay there for a few days and then get to Clarkes Court Bay Marina for New Year.

On the 2nd October, I am leaving Angola again and the 3rd we are flying back to Pizzazz, where we will be preparing her for the next leg. We are also visiting Argentina for a week, on the way back to Jo'burg, we return to Jo'burg on the 28th October.

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Hugh
10/09/08, Buzios, Brazil

Then all good things have to come to an end, so I am now back in Angola, Glyn in Benoni, South Africa until the 2nd October when our next adventure will take place.

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Hugh
10/09/08, Buzios, Brazil

Buzios has many bay's with many great beaches. On this beach, just where the water laps up onto the beach, it was like somebody had dropped gold dust, we could not believe it, we tried taking photo's of it but it was for our eyes only..

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Hugh
10/09/08, Buzios, Brazil

The village of Buzios is all just like this photo, lots of bars, restaurants and curio shops. Live bands play at night in most places and our last night we were out until 3:00am and our transfer vehicle to the airport, arrived at 7:30am, it was great though so had to catch up with sleep on the way to the airport.

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Hugh
10/09/08, Buzios, Brazil

We could not believe our luck with the choice of hotel and room. We got a glass of champagne on arrival and were given 15 minutes of free massage...In the room when we arrived and after cleaning each day, they sprinkled flowers on the bed and in the toilet!!! The service was great, we had a fab time here, we were sorry it was just too short...

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Hugh
10/09/08, Buzios, Brazil

After spending 7 days in Rio, we transfered to another hotel in Buzios for 2 nights, which was about 2 hours drive north of Rio and what a wonderful place this was. The hotel was just outstanding and as for the views from our hotel room......

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Hugh
10/09/08, Rio, Brazil

There are some very cleverly done Sand Castle creations, but this one had so much detail.....

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Hugh
10/09/08, Rio, Brazil

Another shot from above....

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Hugh
10/09/08, Rio, Brazil

Reaching the top of Sugar Loaf is actually done in two stages. The first car ascends over 700 feet up Urca Hill affording marvelous views of Corcovado Mountain, the Niteroi Bridge and Guanabara Bay. Transferring to a second car then elevates you an additional 1300 feet to the top where spectacular views of Copacabana and other beaches can be admired. It is breathtaking........

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Hugh
10/09/08, Rio, Brazil

One afternoon we went on a City tour and a visit to the Sugar Loaf mountain, which also had some beautiful views

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Hugh
08/09/08, Rio, Brazil

This is a typical shot of the Copacabana beach front area. The paving pattern is typical only for the Copacabana Beach, where it can be seen on T-shirts.

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Hugh
08/09/08, Rio, Brazil

So here is the famous statue from close up...

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Hugh
08/09/08, Rio, Brazil

This is a view of the yacht club and anchorage from the statue of Christ, including Sugar Loaf.

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Hugh
08/09/08, Rio, Brazil

This is a view of the Copacabana beach area, from the statue of Christ. To get there we travelled by train through the largest city forest, the Corcavado National Park. The view from the statue of Christ above the city of Rio de Janeiro is world famous. The 710 meter mountain of Corcovado is crowned by the statue of Christ the Redeemer, which is 30 meters high and has a 8 meter pedestal with a chapel in honor of the Lady of Aparecida, patron Saint of Brazil.

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Hugh
08/09/08, Rio, Brazil

The views from here were stunning.......

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Hugh
08/09/08, Rio, Brazil

Again, Copacabana beach front, with the statue of Christ in the back ground.....if you can see it.

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Hugh
08/09/08, Rio, Brazil

Here is the famous Copacabana Beach in Brazil with Sugar Loaf in the back ground.

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Hugh
08/09/08, Jacare, Brazil

Here Pizzazz rests on her mooring on washing day...

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Hugh
08/09/08, Jacare, Brazil

This is the main street of our fishing village Jacare. At the end of this street, we can catch either the train to Cabedelo or Joao Passoa, or we catch the FREE bus to Intermares to do our shopping or to go to the beach.

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Hugh
08/09/08, Jacare, Brazil

This is the place we had lunch at...prawns, oysters and batata fritas (french fries)...and beer.

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Hugh
08/09/08, Jacare, Brazil

On our sail to Porto Velho, we passed this Bus Ferry, where they have installed a bus, without the wheels and chassis, onto a boat. They have a few of these Ferries operating on the river.

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Hugh
08/09/08, Jacare, Brazil

We were invited by Tom, an American friend, for a 2 hour sail down the river, to a place called Porto Velho, where we anchored off and had a lunch. This is a picture of Pizzazz on her mooring as we sailed past.

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Hugh
08/09/08, Jacare, Brazil

This is our local beach at Intermares, where they were having a surfing competition. It is known at the Surfers Beach Bar.

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Hugh
08/09/08, Jacare, Brazil

Well I am back at work and Glyn is in South Africa. We had a fantastic time in Brazil this time. The first 2 weeks or so we did a lot of walking around and also found out how the bus system works and ventured further away each day. This is a photo of our outing to the big city of Joao Passoa. We caught the train in, and spend the day walking around the shops and markets, and stopping for an odd cerveja (beer)

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Hugh
30/08/08, Rio, Brazil

Well I cannot load any photos from here but thought I would just update on what we are up to. We are now in Rio, Brazil and having a wonderful time. Our time up in Jacare with Pizzazz was also great, we had some wonderful weather while there and now in Rio too. We did a lot of walking around and saw a lot while up at Pizzazz, but Rio has just been more special. The trip to Rio has been worth every penny. We have been up to the statue of Christ by Train and to Sugar Loaf with the cable cars, and what wonderful views from these locations. Hopefully I will have photos posted here next weekend, when I am back in the office.
Well, tomorrow (Sunday) is our last day in Rio, we are then going about 2 hours north of here, to a place called Buzios for 2 days then we fly back on Wednesday next week and I will be back in the office on Friday. So until then, love to all and we are having a great time here. Hugh & Glyn

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Hugh
06/08/08, Jacare, Brazil

Well I am still in Angola and missing Glyn's birthday today, but it is my last day of work again. So tomorrow I fly back to South Africa and stay over for one night and then Friday we are both flying back to Pizzazz, in Jacare, Brazil. We are not planning on moving Pizzazz this time, we have some boat work to do and then want to spend time around Joao Passoa and also just relaxing on the boat. On the 25th Aug. we are flying down to Rio and spending 9 days or so there and then return to SA, and me to Angola on the 4th Sep.
So we will be updating the blog...hopefully inbetween so keep an eye. Thanks Eric & Glynie for birthday wishes for Glyn.

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Hugh
12/07/08, Jacare, Brazil

So this is a shot of the Marina where Pizzazz is moored right now, so looking forward to our return........

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Hugh
12/07/08, Brazil

So after 17 days at sea, we entered the river into the port of Cabadelo, but we continued up the river to a place called Jacare, where we found a Marina. For the first few days we anchored off the Marina and some local restaurants and enjoyed the festivities everyday from the restaurants. Everyday at 16h00, the bands from all 4 restaurants would start playing loud.....I mean loud music, then at 17h00...everyday...they would have a guy dressed in white playing the Balero on his saxaphone, but not just playing, he would walk out from one of the 4 restaurants and get into a small boat, like canoe, and then the paddler would paddle this guy while he stands in the boat, up and down in front of the restaurants for about an hour. The restaurants are packed out with people every night, and then afterwards the bands would continue playing. In the week the bands stop at about 19h00 but on weekends till early hours of the morning, they definitely have spirit and enjoy their music, we enjoyed it as well.

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Hugh
12/07/08, South Atlantic

From about 2 days out of Brazil we did get rain squalls which come with strong winds and rain but luckily for only short periods, but does make some hard work.......

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