Going Dutch

So we had to leave Blanquilla as everyone does....you just can't buy beer there...in fact, you can't buy anything there!! It was a sort of paradise island though and I loved the experience!!
Next islands in the chain as we head west could have been Los Rocos...but we decided to tough it out as time was running short and stayed at sea for 36 hours (it was lumpy and grey!) to reach Bonaire before dark. Bonaire is the first in the ABC chain. A nice picturesque little island but unfortunately overrun every day at this time of year by enormous cruise ships. This means that the main town, Kralendijk is totally geared up for the tourists and it's virtually impossible to buy things for boats although the supermarkets were very nicely stocked with goodies! I would have taken photos but my little camera decided to pack up and so I will have to rely on Jim (Delicado) for pictures at some point later. Pam and Jim were just coming into Bonaire as we were leaving ...by sheer coincidence. We have now caught up with each other and intend to "buddy sail" for some while. It won't be a lonely Christmas in some Godforsaken place after all, thank goodness!

The next island in the chain is Curacao and we arrived here a few days ago. We have been anchored in Spanish Water along with all sorts of other boats, some of whom are also heading west. It's a lovely safe place to be and the weather is wonderful, apart from the occasional squall (up to 43knots once). Much breezier and therefore cooler than Trini...I even need a sheet over me at night!!! It's mostly desert and scrubby but still quite pretty, colourful houses and a lovely old colonial Dutch influence in the capitol city, Willemstad. We have got to know this city very well while we've been here as the standard checking in and then out process required by all visiting vessels has taken three days to complete, ie customs, immigration and permission to anchor meaning separate visits to each building located in different parts of the town; all of this happening partly over a public holiday. We ended up having to stay for lunch each day. Awful!! In fact, we've had a lovely time here with lots of delightful dutch people and fellow yachties. And it is sooooo cheap too; by far the cheapest place we've been so far. We now have enough good food on board to last until well into the New Year, including some good Christmas fare!

But all good things must come to an end and we are set to leave here for Aruba tomorrow morning. The weather at this time of year can be very bad so we have to take advantage of a few good days to continue west. I'll be glad to move into another time zone as we are still in Eastern Caribbean time (+4hours) making the mornings too dark.....I don't care about lighter evenings. I just hate getting up in the dark!

The next post will be from who knows where. Somewhere in Colombia is favourite at the moment....... I have a new camera but haven't got to grips with it yet. Hope to include photos next time.