And on to Florida



A lot of water has flowed under the keel since the last post.  It could be that we have succumbed to the sentiments above but in reality it has been hard to find reliable wifi at reasonable cost and even when paying top dollar it prove unreliable.

Anyway the sign says it all about this part of the world, though now that we have arrived in the USA [Palm Beach, Florida]  things should improve. This blog is about our time before arrival in good ol USA.

 

 

 We sailed along the northcoast of Puerto Rico to San Juan.  Here we are approaching the harbour entrance.

 

 

There was not a lot to recommend San Juan to us except the old city. 

 

 

All was very American. 

 

 

But there were nice parts of town. 

 

 

The fort at San Juan where the first shots of the Spanish-American War were fired all those years ago and the course of history was changed forever. 

 

 

 

Then on to the Domincan Republic,  to Samana, the whale watching capital of this part of the world. The reception committee was made up supposedly of representatives of various authorities, but we saw no real evidence of that.  They all wanted a tip and were a bit po-faced when all they got was $5.

 The anchorage at Samana.

 

 

 Samana scene

 

 

These motor cycles are actually taxis. No 4-wheeled versions were to be seen. 

 

 

Hardware store 

 

 

Next stop was Luperon.  We had not planned to go there but bad weather dictated.  Enroute we were beset by whales.  Dozens of the bloody things cavorting within a few metres of the yacht and giving us the eye from a short distance..  No photos, unfortunately.  Anyway we were pleased to see that gringos were welcome, even if the authorities did not give that impression.

 

 



Luperon street scene 

 

 

Tidy town candidate? 

 

 

The harbour near the dinghy dock. 

 

 

The cruisers gathered at Wendy`s Bar for convivial conversation and free internet. 

 

Nearby, the laundry operated in the street. 

 

 

After some trying miles in indifferent weather we arrived in the Bahamas. Here at Georgetown.

 

 

We were pleased. 

 

The Princess lounged while ....... 

 

the stingrays were fed...

 

 

 by hand.

 

 

and then sundowners! 

 

 

Across the shallow banks to Nassau. 

 

 

 What a contrast.

 

 

 Cruise ship heaven.

 

 

View from the anchorage.

 

 

Again. 

 

 

Nearby. 

 

 

Conch, pronounced conck 

 

 

and this guy made the best conch salad yet. 

 

 

 

Later. at Flo`s Conch Shack on Little harbour Is in the Berry Islands we met other cruisers.

JT at anchor off Flo`s Conch Shack

 

The Virgin Islands

From Sint Maarten we sailed a short distance to Anguilla

 

 

 and the lovely anchorage at Road Bay

where past hurricanes had taken their toll.

 

 It was then on overnight to the first of the British Virgin Islands, Virgin Gorda, where we found this resort built on Saba Rock.

 



Nearby the Bitter End Marina and resort. 

 

 

Then to Tyrell Bay and the full moon party.

 

 Beautiful Little Dix Bay where it costs an arm and a leg to stay at the resort.

On a mooring at a well known national park, The Baths, on Virgin Gorda from where we had to swim ashore.

 

 



It was ok.

 

Later sundowners Pirates Bar, Norman Is.

 

 At our favourite BVI spot, Cane Garden Bay, Tortola Is, we found this lovely place to watch the pelicans dive bomb the waters close along the beach

 



 

 

JT at anchor off the dinghy dock Cane Garden Bay.

 

The US Virgin Islands saw us finally in the USA at St John Is, though the were a few issues concerning visas and arriving in a private yacht.

 

 

Nevertheless, we were able to get new batteries at Budget Marine on St Thomas Is, where there was a great little bar in amongst the mangroves. 

 

Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, was a criuse ship port and prices accordingly.

 

The tourist transport

 

On to Culebra in the Spanish Virgin Islands, part of Porto Rico, and still part of the USA.  It was a lovely anchorage and the dinghy dock bar a great place to meet other cruising yachties.  We found Dutch friends first met in Madeira, and again in Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands.

 

 JT at Culebra



Inside this nondescript facade was a fabulous supermarket and butcher shop.

 

AnotherCulebra scene