Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Ocean World, Dominican Republic

19.49.685N
70.43.853W

Well today made up for yesterday.  Where do I start?  We began the day making plans for the end of the day when Rosie came over and suggested we all get together this evening at 5 on their boat, Never Say Never, to discuss whether/weather.  Whether to go due to the weather.  We thought it a good idea to bring nibbles and drinks as well.

Then we gathered our electronic devices and trotted up to the marina office where we were assured a better connection as we weren’t having a stellar time on the boat itself.  Dale downloaded weather information and charts and I uploaded my blogs from the last 2 days.  Then we listened and studied the podcast our weather guru puts out as we’re not getting very good SSB connection inside the marina as well.  Not sure if its because of the rain, the giant yacht next to us, the large transformer on the dock at our stern or a combination of all 3. 

We then organized a tour to the Brugal Rum factory (imagine that!) and the Amber museum.  Tim, Rosie’s husband, needed to stay behind to work but everyone else joined us and our tour guide was an off duty detective making sure the tourists are kept safe and happy so as to encourage more in coming down.  They know that this is their main economy in this particular area of the island and want to keep it that way as they are trying to lure the big cruise ships here. 

We took a drive into the mountain and was astonished to see that the skies were clearing up enough to see the view below all the way to the ocean.  It was beautiful.  Then we went to the Rum factory which allowed the boys, Benjamin 12 and Josh 10 a tiny taste of the rum.  The youngest seems to have a discerning pallet as he described flavors, I didn’t detect but was accurate in their description. 

Then we went to a cigar making shop.  Unfortunately, none of us smokes and didn’t know of anyone we could send one to in a timely manner. (Sorry Fred, it would have to sit on the boat until we make it to Puerto Rico and then mailed home.)  

Our next stop was at a jewelry shop where I did find a pair of earrings that needed a new home.  After that, it was the Amber museum.  The boys were enthralled with the insects caught in the rare stone, particularly the lizard.  Apparently, there are only 10 complete lizards that have been found in the fossilized sap.  Scenes from Jurassic Park I’d say. 

We took a drive to the local fort but I was outvoted when asked if anyone wanted to get out and walk around.  It was getting later in the day and everyone wanted to return to the boats for our 5pm brainstorming. 

We walked along the dock back to our side and commented on how many boats had to replace broken lines due to the constant wind and surge from the passing front.  We had a snubber that broke during the night that Dale had to tighten the remaining line on.  Zandolee lost 3 lines during the night and Never Say Never had to replace one.  Much larger boats that any of ours lost a lot more.  There was one Swiss catamaran that has to be at least 75’ lost just about all of theirs with splices and crimped together pieces making due until they were all replaced by the end of the day. 

Our end of day nibbles and drinks was a fine finish to an entertaining day.  I think the only thing that really came out of the brainstorming session was that tomorrow, we’ll all get together again to look at the weather charts and then on Thursday climb to the highest height and take a look out.  If the wind doesn’t die down tomorrow, there is no way the waves are going to.  If its rough on Thursday, its time to start looking down the line again.