15 May 2012 Rio to Arial do Cabo.
We left Rio at 4.00 with the main up and no wind. The sea was confused with big holes in it and the sail helped to dampen the motion a bit. Once again the predicted E wind did not come up. From all the motion the Diesel Filter before the pump was getting more and more blocked so that after daylight we had to shut down and put in a spare clean filter. This procedure had to be repeated a couple of times until we decided to suck straight out of Jerry cans. We arrived at Arial do Cabo at about 20.00 and anchored in Ensenada de Forno. The next day as it got light we saw our friends Anna and Johan anchored much deeper in the bay close to the beach. They left soon after for Buzios where we saw them again 2 days later after a very nice slow sail . Buzios is a very touristy place with loads of posada's and lots of shops like one would find on 5th avenue New York. Really very up market and pricy.
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8 May 2012: Copacabana Beach
After doing some scouting around yesterday and shopping we asked information at the mall, which bus to take to Copacabana Beach where upon she told us they have a free shuttle running every 30 minutes. Now that is what Yachties like to hear. So today after the rain clouds cleared up a bit after last night rain we strolled into town. All prepared sun tan lotion , Sarongs ,picnic was a cloudy day not many people around but still a nice outing. The following day was much hotter and more people around but truly over rated much better bods on the beaches in Miami and also a lot cleaner.
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6 May 2012 : SUGAR LOAF. (PAO DE ACUCAR)
Access to the Urca Hill is by the first leg of the cable car, traveling some 575 meters from Praia Vermelha to a height of 220 meters above sea level. The second stage of the Cable Car covers 750 meters to the top of Sugar Loaf at a height of 396 meters. Anchored just below it's the most amazing sight at night. On the other side of the bay located in the Tijuca National Park is the highest Peak of 710 meters. The mountain is crowned by the statue of Christ the Redeemer 30 meters high. Also fully lit at night, up until 2006 you had 220 steps to reach the statues feet. But now they have elevators and escalators with panoramic views .
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30 April 2012-05-09
After a lovely overnight sail with the winds of 10-15 knots, from the aft quarter we entered Guanatana Bay and sailed past the magnificent Fort de Santa Cruz on Starboard and Forte Imbuhy on Port. There is a total of 4 Forts protecting the entrance. We headed over to Club Naval Charitas. Soon after anchoring the weather really closed in with heavy rain and matching breeze. Wasn't that good timing. Needless to say we crashed for the rest of the day and as the following day saw no improvement in the weather the tender still remained on deck. Wednesday the sun was out and so where we bright and early. First checked in with the marina and then caught a bus and Ferry to let the Port Captain know we are here. (The marina insists to see the paper from the Port Captain.) The next couple of days we explored the Niteroi area and the Forts on the Hill. Charitas is a large beautiful marina , with Swimming pool rolling lawns good restaurants and pubs. Wifi and hot showers with endless supply of hot water.
Sunday the 6th we sailed across to Urca, which is at the foot of the sugar loaf. It is a very nice little bay with a small beach where one can leave the tender. From there we could walk to the cable station of the Sugar Loaf. What a fantastic sight.
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Well we had a good sail to Rio and after sorting out the marina and Port Authority we are in good shape to enjoy the next few days. We are at the Naval Marina Charitas lovely place with all the bells and whistles. Will update blog and add photos over the next few days.
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26 April201 Abrao
We did some shopping today and then left for Palmas, where shortly after Orca entered the bay in the late afternoon. Had a lovely walked across to Lopes Mendes beach in the morning and collected a load of mussels for a delicious meal. In the late afternoon the anchorage became very rolly and we decided to go back to Abrao for the night and maybe the weekend, depending when a Westerly Wind would come up. We anchored at 17.30 and the bay was like glass. After my second sun downer a fresh breeze came up from the SW. Before I could take another sip from my Capahrinia we had at least 40 knots on the beam that made Snatch heel over a fair bit. I watched the bow going sideways that seemed like ages, but eventually the stern came about and she was lying into the wind and holding. It was by now pitch dark and we watched the neighbors and boats ahead for movement as the wind was screaming in the rigging. It did not take long and we saw hectic movement up ahead. A smaller boat had dragged onto the guy behind him and snagged his chain. In the meantime my anchor woman was busy untying the 20 kg Bruce in the Lazeret and passing out Chain and anchor warp ,which was carried foreword and installed, by yours truly, just in case we had to hold a couple of boats should they come down on us. While working there on the bow with my head light on, it started to pour cats and dogs, conveniently so that I wouldn't break out in a sweat.
Meanwhile upfront the situation had not changed. The local boat 'Go FOR IT' was still trying to take the French boat ' ONAGOGOS' for a Go down the anchorage. Fortunately 'ONAGOGOS' declined and after about 40 min 'GO FOR IT' was motoring away and anchored further out. By now the gusts were in the high 20's and it was all over soon after. The night was dead calm with a bit of rain.
This morning things are not looking much brighter at all, the barometer has climbed a bit and we are having lots of rain and gusty conditions again. Looks like all the yachts are settled after the stronger winds last night. Bert was just in the water and did a bit of cleaning of the hull . Seems like a good day about 2 other boaters doing the same thing.
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