Cuba 1

We sailed south from the Ragged Islands in the Bahamas to Cuba.  It is a huge island and we were advised to base the boat in the Marina of Puerto de Vito and explore from there.  We had a great sail down and as we approached the port called us on the VHF and gave us instructions to enter to harbour.
We anchored out for the night until the next day when the officials came and sorted out the paperwork.  They were all extremely polite and it did not take too long.
We then went into the marina, and it was a stern to docking like in the Med, and a buoy for extra security.  Once the boat was secure we hired a car and went to explore the area around Holguin, where we stayed the night in a 'casa particular'.  There are hundreds of these around the island, where the owners rent out rooms to supplement their income.

Our 'casa' in Holguin

Came across a cigar factory en route and one of the ladies gave us some samples to try, behind the back of her supervisor, who was a very stern looking chap.

The boys smoking the samples!!!!  They only had a few puffs and then gave them to the security guards in the marina, who were delighted with their good fortune.

We were travelling with Gina and Bruce, their catamaran is called Wyuna.  Here we all are enjoying the local  Mojitos,  excellent after a long day sightseeing.

One of the local road side stalls, selling the locally grown produce.

In the smaller villages, the locals do not have cars, they get around  on bikes, carriages and a lot of horses too!  These little carriages are often taxis.

Jay in the Bahamas

Jay joins us in Georgetown in time to celebrate his 24th birthday, great to have him on board with us.

Getting together with some friends on the beach for a drink and a chat, all these folks are from  down under, and on boats in the bay.

Daryl and Jay had a good day hunting, four bigs ones.  Jay hadn't tried it before this and took to it rather well and now often does better than his teacher, but of course he has young lungs which helps diving deeper for longer.

We thought we were getting a little low on wine, and panic was setting in, and then we found three cases of NZ Savignon Blanc in one of the forward lockers, Oh Happy Day!!!

More of the Bahamas

A great evening with some younger cruisers.

The windward side of Great Exuma.

Daryl and I continue to cruise the Bahamas now Lisa has gone and look forward to picking Jay up in Georgetown.

We were anchored off Little Halls Pond Cay that is owned by Johnny Depp, there was a lot of activity there, preparing for his beach wedding at the weekend we were there.  The tents on the beach were presumably for the guest accommodation.  We were requested to move out of the bay and not allowed to return till after the festivities were over.  The photos on the web look great though!

There are some spectacular sunsets here in the islands.  I don't know about the old saying "Red sky at night, shepherd's delight', but this sky got us a little worried.  We had torrential rain through the night after this sunset.

The prevailing with in the islands in from the East and so the better anchorages tend to be on the west side.  We decided to take a walk across to the east side.  There are some wonderful tracks that go through the bush.

Enjoying meeting up with friends on the beach at Lee Stocking island.  Wine and toasted marshmallows!           

Celebrating my birthday on board, lots of wine and lots of laughter too.                                                              

OMG, I can't believe I'm 60! Friends from 'Our Rose', a kiwi boat made me a carrot cake and decorated it with yellow cherries and candles to match the boat.  Not only did it look good, it tasted delicious too.                             

Down to Georgetown.

After a few days in Hopetown, we decided to head south and show Lisa some of the other islands here.  Decided to head to Little Harbour for New Year's Eve, hoping there would be some entertainment going on there.

Celebrating the last day of the year at the Rock House.  Later there were some fireworks too that one of the mega yachts arranged.

Sometimes navigating through the reefs here can be tricky, so here is Lisa checking Daryl's track with the iPad.

'No Rehearsal' in Warderick Wells, our favourite anchorage in the Exumas.   It is a land and sea park, the water is so clear and there is plenty to see underwater because no hunting is allowed and the sealife is abundant.

On the bank in Warderick Wells again, such clear water.                                                                                                

Daryl, my hunter/gatherer coming back with a rather large crayfish for dinner, yummy!                                                

Throw it back Lisa, it's another barracuda.  They feed on the coral and it's easy to get food poisoning from eating them.

Lisa and I enjoying our most favourite thing, a coffee ashore in Georgetown at the Driftwood cafe.                           

Sad to see Lisa leave, but she looks a lot healthier than when she arrived.  We have had a wonderful month with her and I think she really enjoyed cruising the Bahamas again.

Lisa arrives for Christmas

The best present I could get, Lisa arriving at Fort Lauderdale airport to spend Christmas with us.  What a treat to have her on board for a month.

We took Lisa to do a little retail therapy at one of the outlet malls near Orlando.  There is some excellent deals to be had and the girls even found a Starbucks!

Lisa was very good at enlisting some the young crew from nearby super yachts to help us with the lifting!

In West Palm Beach we got some help to carry the dagger boards down the quay and back on to the boat.  They are about 15foot long and are very heavy indeed.

Checking into the Bahamas was a pleasure for once.  This young officer helped us through all the paperwork with a smile and a joke.

Lorraine and Bob on 'Scaramouche' in Hopetown entertained us for Christmas, what a wonderful spread she put on.  She has just published a cookbook and so it was a great place to go for tasty food with good friends!

Bob and Daryl catching up on all the news over a beer or two.                                                                                      

Christmas Day and Lisa is enjoying opening her  presents!                                                                                              

Port Canaveral

It was a pleasure to visit Port Canaveral again and catch up with our good friends here.  We docked on the end of the Port Canaveral Yacht Club and as usual were given a warm welcome there.
Myself, Mitch and Evelyn celebrating Thanksgiving at her apartment.  Fun night with good friends catching up over some delicious food and wine.

(Can't get this photo the right way up!)
Out shopping for the last of the Christmas presents in the shopping mall, Wow! they certainly go over the top with the decorations over here!

Whilst in Canaveral, I went to see a foot surgeon in Orlando, who examined my feet and said that I had arthritis in the joints of by big toes and he could fix that!  So, I decided to go ahead and have it done, not a pleasant experience having bone spurs ground of my feet, but it was over quickly.  Here I am, resting afterwards, note the attractive footwear!

The supermarket is used to having customers that don't get around so well, so I had a great time scooting around the store in the disabled trolley!

The Christmas party at the Yacht club was a fancy dress affair, ugly jumpers were the theme.  Here are Peter and Evelyn on the dance floor.

You can't keep a good woman sat down when there's dancing to be done!  Just nine days after op!

Annapolis to Port Canaveral

So, the boat show is over and it's time to head south.  One last Starbucks coffee and we head out.  A bit wet getting to the coffee shop this morning, Annapolis downtown often floods, still we got a free croissant for our efforts!

Catching up with good friends in Sarah Creek, Richard and Ward on 'Bagheera' and Jeff and Ellen on 'Sea Dweller', and enjoying a meal at the very hospitable marina here.

Going into Ocracoke, for a bit of shelter for the night.  We had never seen so many birds, what an incredible sight.

 

Happy sailors!                                             

Cruising slowly down the Chesapeake day, there were beautiful sunsets and scenery to see.  We needed a bit of relaxation after the boat show and these anchorages were just perfect.

Stopped in Brunswick, and the saturday market was on.  Daryl made good friends with the couple selling the most delicious crab cakes.

Also in Brunswick the Lover's Oak, having a quick kiss, the Spanish moss draped from the branches.  The Brunswick marina was great, the people really friendly,  the laundry was free and there were even bikes we could borrow.  Great place to stop on your way down the bay.

Good friend, Mitch, joined us in Charleston to cruise down the coast with us.  Wonderful guy to have on board and we had a lot of laughs together.  He is now back in cold Vermont and we shall miss his good company.
He left us safely tied to the quay at the Port Canaveral Yacht Club.