Dominican Republic...

We left Puerto Rico for an overnight sail to Dominican Republic.  

We had heard a lot about the "Mona Passage", which can get pretty rough... 

however, we ended up (just) sailing most of the night, then motor-sailing the last 40 miles.  

We were joined by these beautiful dolphins for a while

Richard caught a lovely Black Fin Tuna, 

(which we had the next night - Sashimi'd and seared on the BBQ)

On arrival in Samana Bay, Dominican Republic,

we were greeted with Humpback Whales - from January to March each year, the Humpbacks return to this area to Calf and Mate.  We feel so very blessed to have experienced these beautiful creatures...

We decided to go to "Puerto Bahia Marina"

(www.puertobahiasamana.com)

which is a small luxury hotel of the world.  

What a fantastic place - we had use of all the facilities - pure luxury!

Looking out from the Breakfast Restaurant - this is an Infinity pool to the left also. 

These Swimming Pools are Layered down the slope.

Outside area of Cafe Del Mar Restaurant and Bar.
There is also a Infinity Pool in front of the Loungers overlooking the Ocean

Each day the local fishermen head off in their little boats.  
At the end of the day, the one with the motor tows back the others - this picture is taken looking over the infinity pool in front of Cafe Del Mar

Puerto Rico...

We had a lovely downwind Screecher run to the main Island of Peurto Rico

Cleared Customs at the town of Salinas.

Along with Teresa and Brett, we hired a car and drove up the mountains to Camuy Caves…   

we were taken to the caves on a “tram”...
then  proceeded on foot - beautiful

On the way back to Salinas, we stopped for dinner at Ponce, a very pretty town...

On most of the islands, dominoes is a “Major” pastime, with games setup everywhere and anywhere...

The market square is a place that local families congretate in the evenings, when it is cooler.  The square is surrounded by these gorgeous lions

Next morning we had a 4 hour off wind sail to Gilligans Island.

Went to Copa Marina Resort for drinks, which ended up with dinner – the food and service were fantastic and the setting gorgeous.

Next day we had a lovely downwind Screecher (and jib) sail to Puerto Real,

where we were able to obtain a pipe for our watermaker

(which had suddenly decided to leak severely).

Seismic Wave (Teresa & Brett)

Our Rose

N



Next day, sailed to Mayaguez and checked out of Customs.

We walked up to the town square, which had “pianos” chained to posts at various locations – people could just come and play – Awesome...

Culebra and Vieques...

Together with Brett & Teresa (Seismic Wave) we cleared out of the BVI's 

and had a lovely broad reach to Culebra, a small island in the Spanish Virign Islands just south of Puerto Rico...

We caught up for dinner with Bob and Leo (a very pampered pooch)

- missing Judy who was back in USA for a visit...

We hired a golf cart and toured the island...

 Culebra and Vieques were used by the United States as Gunnery and Bombing practice sites, with over one billion tonnes of bombs dropped on Vieques.  This tank is on the beach at Culebra...

We sailed to Isla Culbrita and went for a hike up to the Oldest Lighthouse in the Caribbean...

 From the top, you could see Seismic Wave and Our Rose anchored in the bay in the distance...

When zooming in on the camera, we could also see people surfing off the point...

As we were heading back to Our Rose, we noticed one of the surfers trying to get our attention,
we headed over and found their boat had broken down...

Brett came and helped tow them to a calmer spot, we then had them all aboard Our Rose for drinks and nibbles until help turned up.  There were 3 children and 3 adults...

Next morning, Brett got out their Windsurfer.
Richard hadn't windsurfed for years...

In the afternoon we went for a walk to the "bubbly pools" - gorgeous...

Brett & Teresa had not dived for some time, so Richard gave them a "Scuba Review"...

We had a lovely sail from Culebra to Vieques...

We went for a snorkel and I immediately saw this bomb...

 When we arrived at Sun Bay, Vieques, there was a beautiful pod of dolphins come to greet us...
Richard dived straight in and had a lovely swim with them...

We went for a walk a beautiful spot with lots of wild horses...

Richard & Brett went "hunting and gathering" coconuts for our evening Cocktails

Check out the Machete in the dinghy & the "man tools" at Brett's foot required for opening of the Coconuts...

The end result was DELICIOUS...

At dark, we went ashore and "finally" had a beach fire with toasted marshmallows...

Anegada...

We had a lovely beam reach to the outer BVI island of Anegada - we wish the sail had taken longer, however we were there in no time.

Anegada is only 28 feet above sea level at its highest point and 11 miles long, fringed with mile after mile of white sandy beaches and surrounded by reefs...

Along with Donna and Jack, a Cruising Canadian Couple we met in Grenada

and new friends Cherry, Doug and Pinot, also Cruisers from Canada - we hired a car...

Pinot is gorgeous - Chilling out with Cherry and liming with Cherry & Doug on her own beach lounger

 This sign with Jandals on it - check out what the Hurricane Protection Plan is...

 Donna, Richard and Jack (left)

Below is the ceiling of an outdoor bar - signs with "burnt on" messages - just awesome...

Check out this majorly "tacky" walk to the beach...  complete with fake pink flamingoes (below)...

The snorkelling was interesting near the reef...

We had to go on the search for the illusive Pink Flamingoes - so the intrepid travellers (us) went across the arid salt plains in a hunt - bones greeted us... spooky...

on and on we went - where were they???

After getting back to the car and heading back, there they were in the distance 

(apologies for the poor photo)

This is a beautiful ceramic wall hanging... Sunset by the water...

 The population of Anegada is 250 people.

They make their living from tourism.

Their waters here are still full of lobster.  

They do not allow the taking of lobster by anyone other than locals...  

so a big business is fresh lobster in the restaurants.  

You need to book and have placed your order with the restaurant by 4pm.  (no exceptions)

The lobster are then freshly prepared on your arrival...