Tuesday, November 29, 2011

We Lost our Yacht

We lost our sailing yacht, but we didn't lose our life, our hope, our principles, our love or our faith.  We are quite a match of tempered people.  You better be if you are embarking on this navigation undertaking.  We have been dealing with some cumbersome and sad acquiescence.  

Thursday, November 24, 2011

A Lot to be Thankful For

It is a tradition to say thanks today in this part of the world.  There is a lot that we need to be thankful for.  We have had the privilege of having had a sailboat and of all the beautiful experiences we have had aboard Apuej Bien.  Most of our passages this year were pleasant albeit challenging.  Most of our journey through Venezuela was pleasurable; we met beautiful people who were surprised that we were Americans traveling in their country given the political dialogue of the day, but who never directed anti-american sentiment or negative comments.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Press Release Venezuelan Intervention with Apuejbien



  On Sunday, November 13, 2011, Tampa residents, Camille and Jerome Harris, along with their grandson, Terence Harris, were navigating their sailing vessel west along the north coast of Los Roques, Venezuela, approximately 2 miles north of “Los Canquises”, in route to Bonaire,  Netherlands Antilles. They had checked out of VZ Customs and Immigration at Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, two days earlier in order to continue their passage to Bonaire.  At approximately 2:30 PM they were hailed by Venezuelan Coast Guard Patrol vessel, Fumarel, captained by Armando Soriano Martinez in what appeared to be a routine check.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Accident in Los Roques

Just when we had departed to Bonaire, Sunday November 12, 2011 at approximately 1430, we were hailed by a Venezuelan Coast Gurard patrol boat named Fumarel whose captain asked to identify our vessel.  We were navigating west along the north coast of los Roques, approximately two miles north of "Los Canquises".

We never know why things happen, and many of us like to think that everything happens for a reason.   The series of events that followed resulted in our vessel running aground; me and my family's life were placed in critical danger as we had to abandon the vessel which was stuck in the reef.   Moving up and down in a 45 degree angle, Terence jumped down below deck to grab whatever he had a chance to salvage, and we maneuvered to jump into the dinghy at the time when the sun was about to set and it was getting dark.   We were rescued one hour later, or should I say we assisted in our own rescue, since the Coast Guard could not reach our location on the beach, hence we had to relaunch our dinghy a travel to their location across the reef and rocks.

I'm writing this as I prepare to board our flight out of Caracas.  When we get safe home, we will be publishing the detail story of this disaster, provoked by the ill judgement of a government official who decided to exercise abuse of power and hatred towards an american flag and Americans.  You will also learn about the incredible gentlemen who helped us after the accident.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Just as planned, we left in the morning.  I took a nap around seven or eight; I don’t remember exactly because I was both nervous and excited.  Jerome must have sensed me because he took the initiative to tidy up the boat inside; the galley, the bathrooms, everything organized for our departure.  Jerome even prepared some sandwiches for the road.  My nap lasted like an hour or so, around twelve at midnight I prepared plenty of coffee and poured it in a thermos.  Didn’t put cinnamon.   

Monday, November 7, 2011

Preparing to leave Pto La Cruz on our way to La Tortuga and Los Roques

We are leaving tomorrow at 2:00 a.m. towards La Tortuga island about 56 miles from Puerto La Cruz, our plan is to leave the following day La Tortuga to Los Roques, we may be able to find internet connection there.  We will be heading 308 magnetic compass north toward Tortuga.  Tortuga (Pta. Delgada) coordinates are 10 55'0"N 65'09"W.  Los Roques coordinates:  11 54'16"N 66 35'11"W.   For our photo fans here are some photos of our stay in Puerto La Cruz:

Neighborhood Channel Puerto La Cruz

Friday, November 4, 2011

Passage from Grenada Los Testigos Margarita

Los Testigos, VZ sits at Lat 11°23'N// 63°06'W, and is small group of low lying pristine and unspoiled islands with crystal clear aqua water and white powdered sandy beaches..  They are sparsely populated  primarily by local fisherman, and actually have a small Venezuelan Coast Guard forward operating base.  In the past it was routinely visited by cruisers as they headed south from the Eastern Caribbean  to the safe havens of Margarita Island & Puerto La Cruz during hurricane season. However, with recent pirating episodes and a growing security & crime threat, eastern Venezuela is being avoided by many cruisers today.  


 For reasons unknown Los Testigos has proven to be a challenge during each of our two visits.  For instant, on my first visit to Los Testigos with Smitty as crew in July 2009, my engine overheated, but more important was the fact that I accidentally & unknowingly set off my SPOT beacon's 911 signal, which resulted in Camille, who was in Puerto Rico at the time, sending the Venezuelan Coast Guard to our boat in the dead of night. Notwithstanding, I later replaced my water pump impeller and we were on our way the following day, but the delay gave us a great opportunity to snorkel and explore the island.  


Local Fisherman's home in Los Testigos, VZ

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The Story of R&R and my return

    Last Sunday, October 30, I               boarded AA Flight 769 on my way to Caracas in order to rejoin my beloved husband and crew of vessels Apuej Bien and Spectre.  As requested by my husband I have posted several pictures that will give you an idea of where they have been.   Their stories from the passages from Grenada to Los Testigos, and onto Isla Margarita, Coche, Cumana, Mochima National Park, VZ  and Puerto La Cruz are abundant and I promise to expand on them sometime soon.   We arrived yesterday from Caracas, after a four hour drive by “autobus”.  Our pace in Caracas from the airport to the hotel put me back in step with the sailing mode and it's sometime hectic pace.