Ever wander how us cruisers get around? How do we know best routes, where good anchorages are, where customs/immigration are, where are good marinas, fuel, groceries and so on? Well it is in large part due to guide books. There are many!! And just as many guide books as there are, there are as many opinions about the best routes and good anchorages and so on.

The guide book we chose to follow this time is The Thinking Mans Guide to Passages South by Frank Virgintino. Whom we met and is pictured above with me! Always nice to meet an author of what you read, but when you meet the author that is telling how to get some where? Pretty cool!

In Frank's earlier life he made a living of building, owning, and managing marinas. He even built one in Oklahoma! He did build Marina Zar-Par, where we are staying, but says he does not own it. He keeps his own boat here out of hurricane season, then moves it down further south during hurricane season.

In 2010, we sailed to the northern coast of the DR landing in Luperon. Another popular route provided by another popular guide book. While there, we also had the honor of meeting the author of that guide book. In comparison, Frank is a very friendly, kind, gracious, gentleman. It was indeed a pleasure to meet and visit with Frank.

After our trip to Luperon, we turned around and went back to the Bahamas. After arriving to the DR following Frank's guide we are happy to continue on east and southeast. And that's showing OUR opinion of route choices.