A Ride on the Beluga Fantasy

Starshine is ready for loading on the Beluga Fantasy, 06/03/10. After transiting the Panama Canal, she should be off-loaded in Ensenada, Mexico on or about June 20. We have a slip lined up for her in Long Beach where we will sail for the next few years as we get her ready for our next adventure. I also helped Trevor load up Lea Scotia (below) on the same ship in Port Everglades. She is bound for Victoria, BC and then home to Seattle.

Wahoo !

The last long leg in our circumnavigation of Cuba was a 4 day passage from Isla Mujeres, Mexico to Key West, Florida. This should have been a 350 mile trip but ended up being more like 450 due to a strong current and wind pushing us north from Mexico before we could turn East and head for the Florida Keys. The good news is that we sailed almost the entire way. My crew, Chris, showed off his fishing skills (including cleaning and cooking!) with the capture of this huge Wahoo. We estimated it to be about 30 pounds, so big that I couldn't get the whole fish and Chris in the same picture. We caught this on the first day out from Mexico and so we had fish for the rest of the trip (and then Chris took some more home with him!).

After we made it to Key West, we had a great overnight sail up to Ft. Lauderdale where Starshine now sits. Meanwhile, I picked up my truck at Matt's and drove out to my new home in California. Next week, I will fly back to Florida to load Starshine onto a freighter to be shipped through the Panama Canal to Ensenada, Mexico. From there, it will be a short sail up to her new home port in Southern California.

When I said we circumnavigated Cuba, I want everyone to know that we did not actually stop there as it is still "illegal" (though lots of Americans go there now). See the "Travel Map" link on the homepage to see the route of our trip. All in all, we went about 3000 miles in 4 months and visited 7 countries. We missed the earthquake in Haiti and the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, but not by much. We learned a lot about diesel engines and ourselves and, of course, got married. A successful voyage I'd say!

As I begin the daunting task of looking for work, we have already begun talking about our next voyage ... Tahiti?

Mexico

It has been a few weeks since our last post because of so much activity! We did end up spending several weeks in Belize checking out quite a few of their cays. The snorkeling was amazing at Rendezvous Cay! We also stopped and visited several cities, notably Placentia and San Pedro. We stayed at San Pedro anchorage several days longer than expected because of the infamous motor issue, but finally gerry rigged a part to allow us to continue on to Mexico.

Since it is a two day sail to Isla Mujeres where we are currently staying, we stopped at Puerto Aventuras which is about the half way point. We stayed several days as we waited on customs to clear us in and then visited the Mayan ruins at nearby Tulum which was amazingly beautiful next to the ocean up on a cliff. Check out the pictures to see what I mean. We also played "tourista" and visited Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen. Puerto Aventuras, Cozumel, and Playa Del Carmen are all the resort areas and tourist traps as one would expect to find. We did rent a scooter at Cozumel and drove around the island which was a lot of fun and allowed us to get away from the cruise ship tourist shops. We stumbled across a Tequila museum and discovered how Tequila is made. We also had some local food at another "Bob Marley" restaurant on the beach. It was a wonderful day!

Sunday we then motor sailed on up to Isla Mujeres where we have been visiting Cancun and of course the island of Isla Mujeres itself. It is wonderful to pick up the Gulf Stream current that is with us as the boat got up to 8 knots which is a first on this trip and maybe for the boat herself! I am indulging my love for "mole" sauce and had chicken mole both in Cancun restaurant and then again last night at another restaurant which we visited with friends Pat and Jay. I figure if you can't indulge one's love for Mexican food when in Mexico, then there is something definitely wrong! Isla Mujeres is a jumping off point for those going to Florida as well as those going further south to Rio Dulce. As such, we have met up with several boats and friends here at this marina that we have been hopscotching along the way and it is great to see everyone again.

Sadly, my cruising experience is quickly coming to an end as I fly out Saturday for California. Dave's friend, Chris, will be joining him here on Tuesday to help sail the boat back to Florida, where we will then have it transported to California for her final resting place for awhile as Dave and I go back to work to re fund and dream about the next adventure. It has been an amazing experience as I knew it would be, and I would not have missed it for anything!

Belize It!

Cruising is all about the ups and downs ... First, one of the highlights of our trip - Mahi Mahi sashimi! I finally decided to use one of the many flying fish to land on the deck as bait on the fishing lure since I was having no luck with the lure by itself. That did the trick, I got a hit in less than an hour. As I reeled it in, the first thing we noticed was the bright colors of the fish, greens and yellows. I knew right away it was a Mahi Mahi! After I got him near the boat, Gail gaffed him and then I cleaned and filleted the beautiful fish. The first thing we did was mix up some Wasabi and soy sauce and had our fill of some of the best sashimi ever. The rest was grilled up for lunch. What a treat!

After a great passage from Roatan, Honduras to Belize we anchored the first night off Hunting Cay, an idyllic South Seas-type island with crystal clear water. We snorkeled on the reef there before sailing to the Belize mainland to check in at Customs, Immigration and Quarantine. After that we sailed around to Placentia for a day off, exploring the town and sampling the local delicacies (Belikin Beer, for one).

Central America

We are currently in Roatan, Honduras and what a trip it has been! From Jamaica, we sailed for two days and two nights to Grand Cayman, about 230 miles. We had a great broad reach in about 15-20 knots and arrived with no problems. We checked in at George Town and anchored off the town for a few days. We went around to North Sound and tied up in the new Barcadere Marina for a few days and got a rental car to run chores and pick up Matt and Shannon at the airport. We had a beautiful wedding at Smith's Cove and dinner and drinks on a Pirate Ship (see the pix link).

After recovering from the big party, we took off from Grand Cayman for a 3 night and 2 day sail to the Bay Islands of Honduras. We arrived in Guanaja early in the morning and checked in at Bonnaca, a tiny little cay with 8,000 people and a population density similar to Hong Kong! We found a great anchorage in El Bight where we rested and recovered from our long passage. On St. Patricks day we sailed from Guanaja to Roatan and anchored in French Harbor where we walked around the town, ate at some local restaurants and did some great snorkeling. The reefs there were awesome with lots of colorful fish and coral. When it was time for Matt to fly out, we picked up a slip in the Barefoot Cay Marina here in Roatan. I celebrated my 53rd birthday here yesterday with a great lobster dinner and some good scotch at this charming little resort.

We plan to stay here for a few days, getting the boat ready for our next adventure - most likely an overnight sail to the islands of Belize but we are also considering a side trip up the Rio Dulce in Guatemala. From there, we will probably gunkhole North to Cancun, Cozumel and Isla Mujeres in Mexico before working our way back to the states and the real world ...

Wedding in Cayman Islands

Cayman Islands will always be one of my favorite islands on this voyage as Dave and I were married at Smith's Cove on 11 March there! I must have passed all the sailing tests that Dave could think of and he ran out of excuses. Seriously, it was a wonderful day and a beautiful location. We only wish that many more of our family and friends could have been in attendance. We are so glad though that Dave's son Matt and girlfriend Shannon were able to attend. We also thank a fellow sailor and friend, Jay, for altering his plans of sailing to Cuba and attending the wedding in Cayman as well.

After the wedding ceremony, Dave had planned the reception on a pirate ship (surprise to me) that had anchored next to us a few nights before. It was truly appropriate and we all had so much fun that evening with dinner and dancing on a moving ship that sailed along the island as the sun set! Thank you Dave! Like I said, it was a most wonderful day!

Even with all the excitement of planning and participating in a wedding (from a sailboat with intermittent email and internet access no less), we were able to sight see a few other places that the pictures will show. There was a Tortuga rum and cake factory on the island that we visited on a previous day, so that we thought it was appropriate for our wedding cake. There is also a town named "Hell" on the northern part of the island that we visited prior to the wedding with pictures on this web site. Thankfully, we were married on the opposite or southern side of the island at Smith's Cove away from "Hell"!

Cayman Islands however is very expensive and after spending thousands of dollars there to help out the local economy, we have moved on to the Bay Islands next to Honduras. This was a 330 mile passage which took three nights and two days and we were happy to arrive with no major problems. Dave will provide the next blog update from these islands. As for me, I am one happy newlywed still enjoying this voyage and now honeymoon!

Montego Bay

Still in Jamaica but now on the Western end at Montego Bay. Left Port Antonio on Friday with "Blue Jay" and hopped along the north side of the island to Orcabessa and Discovery Bay. Montego Bay is the second largest city in Jamiaca and there are now 2 huge cruise ships here too.

Once we got to Jamaica, we have stopped seeing many US and Canadian boats (they must all be in the Bahamas). We have met cruisers from England, Holland, Germany, Australia and South Africa, just to name a few. It is a much different world here than the Bahamas, deeper water, steady trade winds and mountains. We are getting way out of our comfort zone here but having a great time.

Will head out Thursday or Friday to Grand Cayman, about 200 miles from here so a two day sail. Matt and Shannon will be visiting us in Cayman starting next week and may sail with us to Roatan, Honduras and Belize. Check out the photos link, Gail has loaded lots of new pix! Will update with lots of news from Cayman!