Bonaire - Jamaica

Leg on Google Earth

My dad is visiting us on Blue Bie for next three weeks. I am picking him up at the airport by dinghy – a very special limousine service. For Nila and me his arrival is like late Christmas: She gets chocolate and I get the Christmas presents from my god children and Christmas cookies from my mum:) Pa has installed himself quickly on board – it’s his fourth visit. We are exploring Bonaire together and then sail on to Curacao.
Curacao offers less than expected. We are spending some time in Spanish Water, which has a protected anchorage, a lively yachties’ scene and an excellent inexpensive restaurant, but not much else. Willemstad is a picturesque city, which you can see in an hour – admittedly, we have omitted the two museums! From Curacao we wanted to sail due north to the Dominican Republic to visit my cousin, who lives there. We therefore decided not visit Aruba, since the sailing angle would have been worse from there. Instead, we cruised to Klein Curacao, a bare small island close to Curacao, and to the Piscadeera Baaj. With a large northerly swell and north easterly winds, the weather did not mean it well with our plans to sail to Dominican Republic. So we said good bye to my dad, who flew to the Dominican Republic. It is always a great pleasure having him on board. He is very easy going and we had some good father – son discussions. Actually, I believe we have more quality time together since I am travelling than when working earlier on.

We still have a northerly swell and 25-30kn of wind when we set sail for the 460mile trip to the Ile de Vache, Haiti. The swell is not too uncomfortable sailing in a northwesterly direction and we are having some nice hours sitting comfortably on the transom and chatting, while Blue Bie is under way for a new record – 231miles in 24 hours. Ile de Vache is a beautiful small island, but everything is very basic – no wonder since Haiti is the poorest country in the world outside Africa. There is no shop on the island, despite more than thousand people living here – only a market twice a week. Then again, it is a mountainbike paradise, since there are only hiking paths, no roads or cars! The poverty of Haiti is visible everywhere although the people look well fed. No hour passes without someone paddling out asking for money, books, pens or trying to sell fruits or souvenirs. It is getting a bit too much and we are laying over to a beautiful, peaceful bay with a picture perfect beach and resort just around the corner.

We have hardly any wind for the sail to Jamaica and sometimes are drifting with less than a knot towards our destination. But we have time and complete the 150 miles in 40 hours – also a record, this time for the slowest speed:) But we are finally getting there and love Port Antonio immediately. It has a beautiful marina, hot showers, tropical rainforests and fast WiFi as much as you want. We can got a few repairs done on Blue Bie and are exploring the island. After several months on dry islands we are enjoying the lush rainforest and the many tropical plants and birds. Highlights are a bamboo raft ride on Rio Grande and a hike where we can sample the delicious jackfruit. The time flies by and it soon time to leave for the next adventure – Cuba is calling!