We have arrived in the Dominican Republic! The overnight passage went well, a bit rolly with following 4 foot seas and the wind on our aft port, made for difficult sleeping for me. John went right to sleep after dinner and our read of Harry Potter in the cockpit. Menno had the first watch for 3 hours and I relieved him at 1030pm. Daniel awoke at 11pm due to the roll and kept me company in the cockpit until a little after midnight. We had a big container ship go by us otherwise it was a quiet evening. The moon was nice and full and the sky was lit up brightly. Daisy did have two barking episodes and we think she may have heard the Humpback whales.... we did not see any on our crossing though. The wind shifted a bit and the roll decreased and at 1 am I was able to turn off the motor and we had full sail up! Lovely! It was very peaceful on the water. Menno relieved me at 330 am and the boys woke up in time to watch the sunrise as we approached the large island of Hispanola! It is so green and lush and really beautiful. Anchor down at 9am and there are 100+ boats anchored here! What a surprise. We were met by many locals who came out to Eira to inform us of all they can do for us! Then two officials from the Luperon navy boarded us with Presidente beers in hand (at 10am) and we started filling out forms. They wanted some money so I gave them $10 and that was all. Then I went into town to Customs and Immigration and cleared in - $65 fee and I did get official receipts this time. Everyone is very friendly and I am having fun practicing my Spanish! After clearing in Paul (from Dreamweaver) and I stopped in at a local place for a nice cold Presidente! The Agriculture Attache still has to come by Eira for an inspection, I assume some more $$ ! Then we all have to go into the Port Captain tomorrow morning for one last stamp, he does not work on Sundays! That's the story for today!

Photo: The Damajaqua Falls group - Janet and Duncan (Consort), Kurt and Adair (Emmanuel), Sabine, Alain and Mathis (Sepetmber Song) and Paul and Karin (DreamWeaver).