Kralendijk, 
Bonaire
12.09.532N
68.16.895W
Just a quick note to let everyone know that we had been planning on leaving at first light tomorrow morning for our 3-4 day trip to Puerto Rico but when we radioed and spoke with Chris, the weather guru, we reconsidered and are leaving this afternoon. The winds are forecast to be 15-18kts out of the east (good); seas 5-6’ with 6 second intervals (a little choppy for me). However, showers and squalls are predicted the closer we get to Puerto Rico on Monday and Tuesday (not good). We asked about better conditions when he said that it wouldn’t be an easy trip but do-able; no better conditions are forecast until possibly the middle of May. So . . . It’s now or next month. We’ll be leaving this afternoon. I hate saying good-bye to Gerry & Nicky in any event and if the timing had been just a little different, we might have gone all the way to Australia with them.
As soon as the decision was made, Dale scooted over to the marina to pick up our mail and on the way back dropped by Orpailleur to let them know of our decision. We started preparing the boat the way we normally do, when Dale found that our water strainers for the engine and genset were filled with jellyfish. All those little practically invisible kind found their way in some how.
We met up with Gerry & Nicky in town about noon and grabbed a quick bite before heading off to check out of customs and immigration. Since immigration was closed, we had to go to the police station to check out. Dale said that the procedure was infinitely better. Next we hiked over to the customs office who cleared us out and gave us back our flare gun. I even dropped by the local KFC and picked up some chicken for dinner. It took longer to give me back change in US dollars than it did to get my order. But when I explained that we were on our way out of the country, they were kind enough to get authorization from the manager and between what they had on hand and what I had in my purse, were able to make change without involving an act of Congress.
At this point, we’ve taken the engine off the dinghy and put it on the back railing. The dinghy has been hoisted and tied securely to the arch. I’ve changed into my bathing suit/T-shirt cruising ensemble and most things that we know will shift have been tucked a little more securely into corners and crevices. Right now, we’re waiting to say good-bye to Gerry and Nicky for the last time and we’ll be heading out.
Wish us luck. We’ll catch up on the other side.
Bonaire
12.09.532N
68.16.895W
Just a quick note to let everyone know that we had been planning on leaving at first light tomorrow morning for our 3-4 day trip to Puerto Rico but when we radioed and spoke with Chris, the weather guru, we reconsidered and are leaving this afternoon. The winds are forecast to be 15-18kts out of the east (good); seas 5-6’ with 6 second intervals (a little choppy for me). However, showers and squalls are predicted the closer we get to Puerto Rico on Monday and Tuesday (not good). We asked about better conditions when he said that it wouldn’t be an easy trip but do-able; no better conditions are forecast until possibly the middle of May. So . . . It’s now or next month. We’ll be leaving this afternoon. I hate saying good-bye to Gerry & Nicky in any event and if the timing had been just a little different, we might have gone all the way to Australia with them.
As soon as the decision was made, Dale scooted over to the marina to pick up our mail and on the way back dropped by Orpailleur to let them know of our decision. We started preparing the boat the way we normally do, when Dale found that our water strainers for the engine and genset were filled with jellyfish. All those little practically invisible kind found their way in some how.
We met up with Gerry & Nicky in town about noon and grabbed a quick bite before heading off to check out of customs and immigration. Since immigration was closed, we had to go to the police station to check out. Dale said that the procedure was infinitely better. Next we hiked over to the customs office who cleared us out and gave us back our flare gun. I even dropped by the local KFC and picked up some chicken for dinner. It took longer to give me back change in US dollars than it did to get my order. But when I explained that we were on our way out of the country, they were kind enough to get authorization from the manager and between what they had on hand and what I had in my purse, were able to make change without involving an act of Congress.
At this point, we’ve taken the engine off the dinghy and put it on the back railing. The dinghy has been hoisted and tied securely to the arch. I’ve changed into my bathing suit/T-shirt cruising ensemble and most things that we know will shift have been tucked a little more securely into corners and crevices. Right now, we’re waiting to say good-bye to Gerry and Nicky for the last time and we’ll be heading out.
Wish us luck. We’ll catch up on the other side.
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