We had our best sail so far.  Curacao to Aruba was a quick 10 hour overnight sail.  We averaged 7 to 8 knots with only the jib up.

Aruba is the first country since leaving France that requires you to bring the boat to immigration just in case they want to come on board, which they didn’t.  It’s not a very nice arrangement as you have to tie up at the commercial docks and there is no one there to assist you with your lines.

Here we are, loving Aruba so far.

We stayed in the Renaissance marina which is just next to the cruise ship docks.  Apparently, they receive about 4 cruise ships per day during high season.  While we were there only 2 docked all week.

Sea Rose was tied up behind the Casino which was a great location and quiet.  I didn’t have to walk far to get Teresa’s morning Starbucks.

Carolyn and Uncle Bob trying desperately to learn a few salsa steps.

Then there’s Teresa who is a natural salsa dancer, putting the rest of us to shame.

It’s not a Unicorn, it’s actually Rachel securing her return invite by cleaning the vacuum cleaner after actually using it.  Well done Rachel, we knew you had it in you.

Teresa is in heaven at the Phillip’s Animal Garden which is a wildlife sanctuary in Aruba.  They provide you with bags of carrots to feed the animals.

Teresa causing a commotion with the goats.

Some of the little goats were running around outside their pens.

Teresa’s favorite one.

Geary was the only one brave enough to let the Ostrich eat from his hand.

We took a submarine tour on the Atlantis.  We were a little skeptical at first thinking it was a tourist trap, but it actually turned out to be a real submarine.

We took a 15 minute ride out to where the submarine was positioned.

Geary excited to be on the submarine.

Teresa sitting with the submarine pilot.  The ticket sales lady tipped us off and told us the best place to sit was up front with the pilot.  That way we could ask him questions and look out his front window for a bigger and better view.

Some of the under water fish life.

A sunken shipwreck.

We touched bottom at 134 feet.

Teresa never met an animal she doesn’t want to feed.  Problem with these little birds is they would then deposit their processed food on the boat which then needed to be cleaned.

Sunday lunch at Renaissance island.

Teresa feeding the iguana’s our unwanted peaches.

Next stop Santa Marta, Colombia.

We had an easy downwind sail to Curacao, but due to a late departure from Bonaire we had to motor sail the last few hours to get in before the marina closed at 5:00 PM or the weekend.  No electricty = No A/C = Unhappy Teresa.

Rachel, Geary, Teresa and Carolyn hiding in Curacao

We got another great berth location  in the Santa Barbara Plantation resort.  The water was clear and we could jump off the back of Sea Rose for an easy swim.

Tied up on the outside with the swimming area and beach on the inside.

On the weekend, the locals arrive in numbers and tie up to the outside of the pier and swim on the inside.

Rachel, Carolyn and Teresa shopping in the farmers market Willemstad.

Geary making friends with the locals.

Bob and Teresa getting directions from the tourist office.

We did visit some cultural sites.  The oldest active synagogue in the western hemisphere.

Very nice interior with all sand floors.

I got told off for taking this picture inside the museum.

Mingling with the “Chichi” women of Curacao.  Chichi mean “big sister” in the local language of Papiamentu.

Don’t tell Teresa they’re not real.

The crew with the Queen Juliana Bridge in the background.

Carolyn crossing the Queen Emma pontoon bridge.

Gotta have a selfie.

Looking across the river to the town of Willemstad.

Teresa to the left and Big Guns to the right.

Exploring Rif Fort…

The view from our lunch table.

Another hot sunny day in Ceru Boca.

I didn’t realize Cannabis gave you energy.  This product seems like an oxymoron.

We had another good downwind sail to Bonaire.  It took 3 days and 3 nights.  We took a wide turn north to dodge the hungry Venezuelans and avoid having our toilet paper stolen.

The days were peaceful…

and the nights were calm.

After 3 days and 3 nights, Sea Rose is safely tied up in Harbour Village Marina.

Teresa is happy to be on solid ground again.

Our friend Geary joined us in Bonaire.  He and I are off to the fuel dock to get some fuel for the dingy.

We took a day trip to the Cadushy brewery.  They make everything from the local cadushy cactus, like rum, vodka, tequila.  We asked the same question, Isn’t rum made from sugar cane?

Teresa inspecting the cadushy cactus.

Geary, Teresa and Bob sampling the local product.  We did buy a bottle of the rum (made from cactus).

There is a huge sea salt facility at the south end of Bonaire.  They flood these plains and wait 6 months for the water to evaporate until all that is left is sea salt.

Enjoying our last supper before departing for Curacao tomorrow.

We had a nice sail at the beginning of our 25 hour trip trip to Grenada.  The first 8 hours were good sailing and then the wind completely died on us so we motored the remaining 17 hours.

We arrived midday the following day.

The marina was full so we were docked just in front of the marina office.  It was very close to everything we needed, except there wasn’t much privacy.

My personal ATM.   Teresa getting some money out of the ATM before we headed to the grocery for provisioning for our next trip to Bonaire

It was hot and humid in Grenada and Teresa a.k.a. Stick of Butter was not handling the sun and heat very well.

St Georges harbor which was across the way from our marina.

Unfortunately, we didn’t stay long in Grenada.  We had a quick weather window to get to Bonaire so we took it.  We left on Monday and the Grenada Carnival started early that morning and we missed it, bummer!

The first of 3 sunsets on our way to Bonaire.

After almost a 5 month absence we finally got back to Sea Rose. She was right where we left her and looking good.  Until….

Sea Rose was left in Martinique because our emergency hatch windows were leaking and they were being replaced under warranty work.  Apparently, we were one of 5 boats that have had this problem.  Upon arrival, I was under the the impression the work was complete and all was good.  When I looked to inspect the windows I was horrified to see the butcher job that was done.  They didn’t even rehang the privacy curtain.

We arrived on a Saturday, so I had to wait all weekend before I could speak with the person responsible for the horrific job.  On Monday morning when I went to his office he told me the job wasn’t finished.  They had ordered trim pieces from the the factory in France and they sent the wrong color trim and had to order it again.  Fortunately, the new trim arrived that Monday and was installed on Tuesday without further delay.  It looks much better now and the windows don’t leak anymore.

Morning overlooking the marina.

The Tour des Yoles was happening while we were in Martinique.  They race the traditional Yole boats around the island of Martinique over a seven day period stopping in various ports along the way.  Here they are arriving in Martinique.

They just sail them into the beach.

The following day they started the next leg of the race.

Morning cappuccino at Mango Bay.

Teresa following Captain’s orders and readying Sea Rose for tomorrow’s departure to Grenada.

When you know the menu inside and out it’s time to say goodbye to Mango Bay and Martinique.  One of the few places I know where happy hour is literally just that, 1 hour.

Leaving Martinique under good sailing conditions. Next  port of call, Grenada.