Where are the Photos?

 A collection of photos of what has been going on with Apuej Bien... The stories are coming up.

Los Testigos

Apuej Bien in Cumana

Los Testigos

Mochima and Puerto La Cruz

It is hard to believe that it has been 28 days since I arrived to Grenada after that awesome 12 hour sail.  Yesterday I talked to my lovely husband, Apuej Bien sailed to Mochima National Park where they are anchored at this time. I had talked to him in the morning, looking at some weather sites looking at the wind and all.  Yesterday afternoon we were trying to compare what we saw in these maps, the forecasts and their actual sailing experience.  There is still some scattered showers and tstorms in the area but they had a nice sail.  This morning the plan is to sail to Puerto La Cruz and maybe finally I can meet them.  Mochima National Park bay is a beautiful bay, clean and peaceful.  There's no internet connection and internet connection has been very limited, I'm sure we'll post some pictures soon.

Coche Island and Cumana

Apuej Bien got her repairs done; the shaft of the propeller had popped out.  Repairs are done and everything looks great, on the way to Coche and then to Cumana where Apuej Bien will be docked in the marina.  Cumana Venezuela will be great place to get provisions as everything is quite inexpensive.  Including wine which we found two years ago for like three dollars a bottle.  We found one bottle upon our arrival in Trinidad and you can see the bottle in the photo we took when we launched the boat in the water September 12th, or so, where we are having a toast.  I'm still trying to get organized in terms of what I will be doing the next couple of days.  My father arrives on Sunday so definitely will be spending a couple of days with him.

Apuej Bien arrived to Margarita

Just received communication from my husband.

The Sea and Patience

 "The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach – waiting for a gift from the sea.” “Gift from the Sea” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh.

On the way to Margarita

Yesterday I arrived to PR; I cried all morning, definitely leaving the boat and my husband is not pleasant.  Yet in spite of having such a wonderful time in the boat life in the boat becomes quite tough; we spent more time moored in an open bay than we normally would.  I talked to the love of my life yesterday just before they were leaving to Margarita Island, around four.  They will be sending a message through the "spot" instrument which indicates their coordinates, so I will be monitoring the course this way.  In other matters, my mother is so happy that I came to visit so that makes my happy too.    The island close to Margarita that Ulises is talking about is called "los testigos" but they decided to go straight to Margarita instead because of the possibility of danger there with the pirates even though that topic is debatable according to the various blogs that I have read.  Anyway, we should be hearing about Apuejbien soon.

Still in Grenada next stop will be Margarita

These next couple of days both vessels will be preparing to depart to Margarita Island, Venezuela.  I decided to take a trip to Puerto Rico and join my husband and Terence in Curacao or Bonaire.  I swore I would last more than a month and a couple of days since I would like to become a real sailor one day.  Nevertheless, I feel a little overwhelmed and tired.  Leaving at this time is very hard for me but will be good if I want to make it all the way to Cartagena, Colombia.  Both of us will be keeping the blog, at least I will have a chance to see my mother, my  sister and Rafa whom I haven't seen in a while.

Mountains and the River

The first couple of days we took the public transportation which very much like in the rest of the islands is quite affordable.  We visited the market and the Spice Mall where the grocery store is at, we traveled to the beach and the resort where we rented the car. The people to whom I've had the opportunity to talk to while walking the town and visiting the market are eloquent, civil and very courteous.  They seem simple, humble and proud of their country.  Men are very respectful.  While we traveled the simple buses we saw a couple of times how the driver would get out of the car, stop the traffic and cross the kids.  Young kids not older than six years old travel using these public vehicles and everyone seems to help in a tender and sensible manner.  Having witnessed these acts left me with a sense of well being and hope.  

Beach, Rum Punch and Clear Water

Beautiful day today. We woke up this morning had coffee and breakfast and early we were out in the dinghy to spend a day at the beach.  Yesterday we ended up spending all day at the Yacht Club doing the laundry.  A series of showers yesterday that would come and go had us stay there. We ended up having lunch at the Club, where they have a restaurant and the large sitting area, a bar surrounded by an elegant balcony.   Just chilling out there reading books and watching the news, the hours went by.

Friendly People in Grenada Nice Day

It is interesting to see the differences in culture and people's attitudes as you travel in a sailboat.  It can be quite drastic sometimes, even if you are traveling relatively short distances.  My experience arriving to Grenada has been very positive; people's attitude remind me of my dear Puerto Rico where people have such an incredible sense of humor and are just plain and simple "nice", I felt very welcome.   More than anything I want to share some photos of what we did today.  Take a look at that tunnel; it is not just for vehicles we actually had to walk through there while vehicles were transiting, of course; in order to get to where our dinghy was located.

Grenada Spiceland

Finally got to land yesterday after a big tantrum from my part :-D; we have been spinning and rocking in this anchorage.  Not that I don't enjoy the rocking; most of the time I do, really; I enjoy the rocking like when I was a child and someone probably rocked me in a rocking chair; my grandmother.  I can have multiple naps and lime like they say around here.   We got here Saturday like my lovely husband and Captain said, pretty early around four or so, but soon afterwards it started to rain and then it rained the following day too.  So we didn't go on land.   Sunday morning I had a chance to get in the water though; crystalline, pristine and beautiful.

So like I said yesterday we got on land; checked in with Customs and Immigration and went to the beach.  We have nice resorts around here but we have to take the public bus to take us there because it is quite far for a dingy trip.

Before I continue I'd like to share a photo of SY Spectre captained by Gary and Co-captained by Smitty.  I'll post some more photos as today we will head out to explore the Spice Island.

Martin"s Bay Anchorage, Grenada, WI (N 12'02.679//W 061'45.412)

Arrived in Martin's Bay, Grenada, after a 12 hour sail.  The weather was awesome, with clear skies, 3-5 feet seas and an prevailing easterly/northeasterly fresh breeze of 12-17 knots with an occasional gust up to 20-24 knot as scattered rain clouds pasted o through the area.

Grenada Prickly Bay

It looks like this time for sure.  Preparing to move from the mooring and head to Scotland bay where we will anchor.  We are planning to leave, along with Spectre (Gary and Smitty), at five in the morning to Grenada.  It should be approximately a 12 to 14 hour sail.  Everyone is looking forward to it.  Jerome, Terence and I checked the charts and the weather this morning.  Leaving right now to get some more drinking water and stuff, see you all later!

El Mar y Pablo Neruda/The Sea and Pablo Neruda

 The Old Women of the Ocean

To the solemn sea the old women come
With their shawls knotted around their necks
With their fragile feet cracking.

They sit down alone on the shore
Without moving their eyes or their hands
Without changing the clouds or the silence.

The obscene sea breaks and claws
Rushes downhill trumpeting
Shakes its bull's beard.

Sailing and Grocery Stores

Pancakes and Guava Syrup

I don't remember where it was that I read about this, somebody talking about how they considered grocery stores a tourist attraction or something like that.  Up until then I thought I was the only one who really enjoyed spending time exploring grocery stores wherever I went.  In particular,  I enjoy the spices section, and being in Trinidad, West Indies, I have a blast; here I usually buy lots of condiments and spices for my indian dishes as well as west indian dishes which I have learned to cook from the years we have visited these destinations and from our multicultural friends and family members.  My husband and I share an internal joke where we say the price of rotisserie chicken is an indicator of the economy of the place where we are at.

Mooring

 Mooring at  http://www.ttsailing.org/  On our way here we practiced motoring techniques; figure eight, reversing, 360; Terence became familiar with the helm and how the boat operates and I became re- acquainted with these matters after two years.  This little bay is very cute.  

Laid Back Chillin

As promised more pictures.  Ladies and gents I've been so laid back today, completely chillin' and reading this book that is such pleasant literature, Germinal.  The guys went to have a haircut.   Bellow are pictures of this place just in front of our boat; it is a very small marina named Tropical Marina.  They have BBQ every day with vegetables, amazing beans and rice and pasta; friendly atmosphere and nice music.  There are two pool tables and a nice bar, everything very affordable and good.  Yesterday we stopped by and had some swordfish but the other day we had ribs and shrimp.  It's all good.  Thanks to Terence for bringing this nice camera and taking these nice photos!

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." William A. Ward

Preparing and Repairing

Yesterday we planned to move to a mooring but we had to change our plans still performing some repairs.  As usual, enjoying ourselves.  I'm almost finishing my book: Germinal, by Emile Zola.  Will be posting more photos probably this evening.  Peace and Love!


“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”  -Mark Twain


"I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it - but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor."
- Oliver Wendel Holmes

The Story of the Launching of the Boat

Now take a look at my face and Smitty’s face in these photos. On September 13th, we finally launched Apuej Bien to the water and successfully docked at Crews Inn Marina. Needless to say we were anxious to place the boat in the water, we were scheduled to do it at 1600 but the yard guys showed up around 45 minutes later, literally showed up just like that with that huge crane and someone shouted: REEEAAAADY!

These guys are so skilled, they parked the crane with the vessel in the middle and carefully removed the boat stands as they placed the big belts that hold the vessel. I think they took like a couple of minutes to do this.

Jerome, Smitty, Terence and I followed the big crane in the truck.

Cruise Inn Marina Chaguaramas

Life is good in the marina. We have been enjoying ourselves at the Marina in Chaguaramas Trinidad.

The Captain has been working very hard fixing stuff with the engine and a leak that apparently is coming from one of the hoses. We always make sure to make up for the hard work at The Barracuda bar, a new bar in the marina that conveniently sits right in front of our boat.

Today though we chilled out in the boat and I cooked a nice meal. Couscous pour le vegetables et chana. Which is couscous with roasted green peppers, lime juice, fresh tomatoes and curried chickpeas with chicken with mushrooms and pumpkin.

our new habitat

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