South to Jamaica

 While in Georgetown we anchored off Stocking Island where we visited a local resort.This view from their bar

 

 

 View of a sheltered hurricane hole for shallow draft vessels

 

 

 The Atlantic coast of the island

 

 Princess on the beach.  It was much windier than it looks.

 

 We decided not to wait for more favourable winds and set sail into 20-25 kts.

We were hard on the wind in rough conditions for a few days.

 

 Anchored on the bank at Acklins Island. We felt our way in thru the coral heads.

 

 From there we continued into the wind until past Great Iguana Is when we were able to ease sheets and had a fantastic sail down to the Windward Passage between Cuba and Haiti.  It was rough but we flew, best log speed seen 11.5 kts.

The net effect of all the windward sailing was a defective hydraulic steering ram which blew its seals and lost fluid.

So our plans to visit Cuba were cancelled and we sailed down to Port Antonio in Jamaica.

Here is the marina building.

 

 JT on arrival.

 

 The town is somewhat 2nd-3rd worldish, but we are enjoying it nevertheless.

The island is beautiful with high mountains covered in jungle and pretty coastline.

 Apparently Errol was here for a time.

 

 The offending bit of gear before being taken by taxi across the island to Kingston where we hope it can be repaired. Fingers crossed.

 

 We are anchored in a lovely harbour near the marina.

 

 Market place butcher shop

 

 JT at anchor seen from the marina bar. The cannon is fake.

 

Local "eatery".

 Downtown Port Antonio

 

 Fresh crayfish bartered from a local fisherman.

 

Xmas preparations.

We wish everone a happy and safe festive season.