Tuesday, April 29, 2014 Puerto Real…and the gateway to the Mona passage

After a long passage yesterday we anchored peacefully for the night in a pretty little cove in the bay of Guanico, off the cay called Gilligan’s island, so named because it looks a little like it’s namesake, and at one time, one of the local fisherman looked a bit like Bob Denver. Jumping in for a swim and a sea bath felt like heaven, and while the seas are flat the breeze is lovely, and we all enjoy the relaxation!

Today it was up anchor and out at 6am, but not before we enjoyed a beautiful sunrise from behind the mangroves. Then around the southeast point, Cabo Rojo…and up to Puerto Real. A shorter trip today, only about 30 miles, and lovely flat waters most of the way. We arrive in this picturesque fishing village early, and find it holds everything we need…dive shop for tank refills, laundry and showers, except their has been a water main break, so we have no water at the marina, a small mini-mart with ice cream and some very lovely people, gracious and very willing to help. While some took off to explore this part of the island, the rest of us attended to boat chores. After a personal visit by the marina owner, and the electrics guy, whose office is right around the corner, it was refills for the dive tanks, topping off the ice, trash dump, and the very necessary…rest time!

Tomorrow the weather looks as good as we are going to see for crossing the Mona passage, and we want to get a very early jump on it…so we are planning on a 4am departure…yes, that means leaving the marina, and harbor in the dark…but we think we can do it! and the earlier we leave…the earlier we get there. It is a 75 mile crossing from here to Punta Cana, so best case will be 10 hours. We’re REALLY hoping for best case!