Wednesday 29 January 2014

THE SIMPLE LIFE

We have been living on our home in the water for 3 months today, and what an amazing experience this has been! It's not all sunshine, turquoise seas and rum cocktails in the sunset. We use power from the sun and have limited water, often meaning cold showers, rinsing dishes in the ocean and having candlelight dinners on paper plates. Everyday tasks are not easy..... we lug the laundry to town by bicycle and have to hire a car to buy provisions, the availability of groceries is limited and the prices are astronomical! We have squalls, rough seas, rock 'n roll anchorages, and dragging anchors at night.

 

But I would not change this for the world. I wake up every morning and peer out of the frame of the porthole above my head.....everyday has a new picture, we never know what the new day brings. We have experienced the most beautiful skies at sunset, powdery white beaches, warm, luminous blue oceans and the silence and tranquility of the sea. The air is warm, the sun does shine every day and we celebrate the end of each day with a cocktail in the setting sun.

 

We have become so at one with the elements, we feel the rain before it comes, we feel the slightest shift in the wind, we read the clouds and are affected by the change in sea conditions and tides. We are surrounded by sea life, we see turtles popping their little heads out of the water, we have 'pet' fish that we feed off the stern, we often have a Baracuda using our hulls for camouflage and we have the huge ungainly pelicans splashing next to the boat for their next meal. We catch fish, we dive, we swim and live off the sea when we can.

 

What I love about this gypsy lifestyle is that we are not bound by time or place. We sail into a bay, if we like it we stay, if not, we move on. We have discovered the most beautiful places purely by chance. We have found that places can sometimes be deceiving on arrival, only to discover a quaint village, meet friendly locals or discover a magical underwater world to make it special.

The people we have met are interesting and diverse, from all corners of the world. The yachties come and go.... now you see them, now you don't. They are a friendly bunch, always ready to pop over to give advice and have a chat over a few cold beers. We have learnt to distinguish between the know-all's, the bums and the friendly live aboard cruisers. Everyone has their story to tell.

 

The time spent with our kids has been invaluable. We are influenced by each other's moods, we chat, we argue and laugh a lot! We have learnt so much about each other. We are happy with our own company and have fun together. We are considerate towards each other and have become dependent on one another, this little family is all we have out here.

 

We're looking forward to the year ahead, we don't know where the wind will take us and what the next bay brings, but we do know that we're so happy being right here, right now and enjoying the simplicity of the beautiful Caribbean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday 21 January 2014

ISLA DE CALEBRA, PUERTO RICO

LEAVING FOR THE SPANISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Provisioning from St Thomas
The 2 boys bringing Katz in with a squall looming
Soaked

THE SPANISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

We arrived at the little Puertorican island of Culebra just as the sun was setting. After heavy swells and a 4 and a half hour sail from St Thomas, the calm bay was a very welcome sight.

 

Our arrival in the bay was a bit deceiving, a few older yachts were scattered around and it didn't seem like there was much happening around the place.

 

We had to walk to the airport the next day to clear in at customs. It was the longest we have ever taken to clear in, all sorts of questions were asked. We think the customs guys were just inquisitive and bored because we were the only people around. Luckily we're legally on this island because we have subsequently bumped into them all over the village. What friendly customs and 'irritation' officials we came across for a change.

 

We couldn't have been more wrong about a place. We have now been on this quaint island for 2 weeks and have grown to love it here.

 

The Dinghy Dock

We spent my 48th birthday driving around the island on 2 hired golf carts which was such fun. We were able to visit all the beaches and see which places we would like to visit by yacht. There are lovely beaches with waves (yay!) and places to surf and kiteboard. The island made us feel as if we were in the north of Spain again, with people partying and playing games in big groups on the beaches.

A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Great effort goes into baking a cake on a boat

 

We spent a few nights anchored off the neighboring island of Calibrita, where the sea is the most beautiful shade of turquoise. We fished and snorkeled and enjoyed the stillness of being the only yacht around. We've spent most of the time anchored in Dakity, a beautiful, safe anchorage, with lots of other yachts and beautiful clear water. Every now and then we anchor in Ensenada Honda, the main bay where we can walk to the supermarket and cycle to the laundry and around town. There are lovely restaurants and markets here, so we head for a bit of civilization now and then.

 

We've realised that the BVI and USVI are the main cruising grounds for charter yachts, especially around the festive season. There is not a charter boat in sight in Culebra and the yachts here are all cruising and spending a substantial amount of time in one place. The difference is that the other cruisers are friendly and will pop by and introduce themselves, have a beer and give one tips on what to do in the area. We have met some great, interesting people and are starting to feel part of the cruising circle. Most of the other yachts are also heading to the southern Caribbean, as we are, so we'll be sure to meet up with them along the way.

Dakity
Calibrita
Michaela doing her thing

 

This island has also seen some really emotional goodbyes at the tiny airport. We had to say goodbye to Damon and Cass, and then Michaela 3 days later. Wow, the yacht was so quiet and sad for a while. There are no airport transfers or taxi's, so we've had to walk, skateboard and cycle to the airport, with all the luggage. Some serious logistics involved here. I will never forget that terrible empty feeling when Stephen and I cycled, and Tayne skateboarded back from the airport after waving goodbye to them, watching the little 6 seater aeroplane disappear into the distance.

 

Mac has had problems with his yacht and was waiting for parts to arrive in St Thomas before joining us. Luckliy 3 days after the kids had left, he arrived with his family and it was so great to be with them again.

 

Shopping by dinghy

 

 

 

Mac checking out the talent!

 

Calvin loving the Spanish girls

 

That's what friends are for

 

Tortuga Beach

 

Jacuzzi Pools at Tortuga

 

 

The Tipo's all the way from Moz!

 

The lovely little Hannah
Tayne's catch