Learning a Talent
I sail the earth with the idea that each new place will teach me something new and I will become a better person. As I travel I meet new people of all walks of life that inspire me to do more with my life. I find that the happiest people in this world are the ones working hard, but enjoy what they are doing regardless of the pay. Today I found myself with a charming and beautiful woman named Jay! She is very happy and getting married to her love. What I found so inspiring was the way she overflowed with giving and helpfulness. I walked into her Cigar shop; I was grated with a big smile and lots of questions. I asked her where I could find DVD’s and she offer to give me some that she didn’t need for no money, just happy to help. Then she invited me for a Cuban Rum, then espresso, and enjoyed several hours of conversation about the Aruba life and how she has been living on the island. I learned how to make drinks, season cigars in rum, and how I should see the night life in Aruba. I found it interesting that in Aruba the bars for locals is a big event that you need to prepare for. For example when you go out for the night each bar has a women that will review your personality and attire before you are allowed into the bar. If she likes you man or women you can come in and have a good time. If the bar staff really likes you they will give you your money back, but you better be one charming SOB. I am also learning how to enjoy food, rum, whiskey, and wine in a way that you don’t get drunk. In a way that everybody enjoys the food and spirits so it enhances the evening. It enhances the room’s atmosphere so it causes us to smile and our stress floats away without notice. I am trying to cultivate that talent with my travels so I can embrace it for the rest of my life. You don’t need money to have it but you need to learn it and that takes a lot of time.
Thanks,
Jacques
Walking Sideways In Aruba!
I spent the first part of my morning enjoying a crepe. I have always thought of crepes as a pancake stuffed with chocolate, fruit, or some sort of delicious cream. But not on a Dutch island like Aruba, no they put everything in crepes! I had a country crepe which is much like a farmer’s omelet. This thing came out of the kitchen the size of an 18 inch pizza smothered in cheeses, ham, mushrooms, and few other things that I didn’t recognize. Having so many flavors mixed together with the crepe batter it blended the perfect amount of sweet and salty to give you a real taste of the old country! After breakfast we walked about two miles to the bus stop and took a ride across the island to get more repair parts for Dragonsbane but enjoyed the sites. I was amazed to see the island under so much renovation and new building. Aruba has a very beautiful landscape and it is very obvious that the island is doing very well. The prices are not to expensive and after talking with a few tourist the cost of renting a time share with all its accommodations are very cheap. I would come here for vacation to only sit on the beach, drink, and dance.
One funny story of today’s travels is, as we were looking for the super market I decided to stop somewhere and ask for directions. I decided to go with this broken, dusty, rough looking building that had a sign that said RUM and MORE. I figured it says RUM so it must be a creditable location. I walked into this huge building like the size of a Target store to be very shocked when it was a small room maybe 10 by 15 feet. I asked the old lady behind the counter where is the super market, she told me and then told me I was in the Aruba Rum Factory store and this was the plant. Dear diary, JACK POT! She told me I could try anything in the store so I tried everything. I had chocolate, cherry, long island ice tea, coconut, and something called the sniper out! After buying a few bottles of my favorites I walked to the super market sideways and bought a lot of stuff I don’t think was on the list but sounded good. Best morning ever!
Thanks,
Jacques
Few Photos from today by Dale!
Why walk to your hotel when you can drive your boat into it!
Better Picture of our docked boat Aruba
Aruba Main Harbor
Flight taking off
Hermit crab on the beach
More Flamingos
Now these little crabs freak me out! there like spiders that climb all over the docks and I dont like them very much.
The Hotel Canal to bring your boat in!
Aruba Island Landfall!
We made our passage last night from Curacao to Aruba Island, 75 nautical miles so we would arrive this morning. We left at 4:30pm yesterday and as we made it out into the ocean as the night sky filled the air we found ourselves navigating through a crowd of sleeping giants. There was at least 15 to 20 oil tankers/freighters off the cost of Curacao drifting in the wind waiting there turn to off load or fill up with oil products. I spent the first few hours playing my favorite video game! I turned on the radar and was able to see how far away and where each one of the freighters where on the radar screen, because at night on the ocean you have no depth perception. Each one of the freighters looks like it will run you over at any second but they can be anywhere from 100 feet to 10 miles away, regardless it was fun for me to sail through all the dots on the radar screen. As we made our way the wind blew up to 30 mph and we averaged 7.5 knots which was much faster then I planned on. We arrived off the coast of Aruba at 3:30am and put Dragonsbane into irons or you could say we just stalled out the boat into the wind, drifted 1 to 2 knots until we could make landfall at 8am. As we drifted for 3 hours we ended up back into a new group of freighters off the coast of Aruba, but this time it was daylight and we navigated through them with no problem. We cleared into customs, immigration, and sailed to our new marina for the next few days called Renaissance Marina.
What a place! We paid only $87 dollars to tie up for 2 days and we are located in front of a Casino, an entire city bock of fine restaurants, clothing, shops, and malls! But it even gets better because with being in the marina we get access to the resort gym, tennis courts, and their private island where a boat takes you to and from every 30 minutes. So I guess I will have to rough it a bit well we prepare for our next passage to Columbia “3.5 days” or Panama”6 days”.
Dragonsbane Dock Mediterranean Style
Thanks,
Jacques
Diving on Curacao Island
I spent the day with a German Dive Master checking out the diving around Curacao Island. Once again the diving was spectacular with no disappointments. We began or dive from the beach and submerged to 40 feet along a long reef wall where they had dumped a pill of trucks and cars down the 200 foot reef wall. The old cars and trucks where covered in coral like shrubs and ferns as if in a forest. I descended down to 60 feet and saw lots of crabs and crazy looking fish. After swimming back to the beach slowly decompressing along the way we got out of our gear and jumped into this old rusty van and went to the next dive site. We dove off a pier that had a floating oil rig under repair like the ones you see in the Golf of Mexico. Under the shadow of the oil rig we descended down to 55 feet and hovered over a cliff that dropped to 200 plus feet and as I floated off the cliff and looked down I could see dark blue and deep black colors with shadows of giant fish swimming below me. I turned my attention back to the reef walls and watch Sea Horses playing about, and schools of fish, mixed in with giant neon colored creatures. The coral was bright and full of life. As I swam I felt so at peace down in the depths as I came over a reef and saw an old sunken tug boat. Lots of fish now sat in the wheel house and the coal reef was slowly eating up the old wreck. We then swam to the giant pier and into the dark shadows of the deck 35 feet above our heads. As I saw into the dark thin beams of light cut through the water and gave just enough light to illuminate the large Barracuda fish just hanging out. The water was so clear it was if I was standing outside my house looking into the forest with tall hard wood trees at sunset. As I swam between the tall piers I felt like I was in space and I was so relaxed I really never wanted to leave. It was a good day finished up with homemade fish tacos.
Peace,
Jacques
Curacao Island
The day began with our hunt for the customs and immigration office. In Curacao I guess they don’t believe in signs on buildings for a indication of whats on the inside. Anyway we started by dinghy into a local marina, then found the bus stop and then got onto the bus. The bus ride took about 20 minutes which gave us time to see some of Curacao local life and sights. We got off in Willemstad and found the customs office, cleared and then was given directions to Immigration We walked down the street, over a floating bridge, then turned left down that street through a gate were the guard was sleeping at his post and arrived at immigration then checked in with the harbor master as well. After walking around most of Curacao we got a sight seeing tour for $10 per person that brought us all over the island and informed us of many things. For example 60% of the island income is through there oil refining 20% tourism, the rest who knows? The island is pretty wealthy but the prices of food and supplies are cheap. Lots of local markets with spices, food, breads, and crafts. They also have a floating market that has lots of fresh fish and fruits from Venezuela. FYI we are only 45 miles north from Venezuela/South America. After a 3 hours of sight seeing and a stop at the local distillery we had lunch, then headed back to Dragonsbane so we could enjoy Happy Hour with our new French Friends who are Anchored behind us. After checking up on Dragonsbane and seeing that we have not moved with the 30 knot gale we went to happy hour and talked about European and USA politics which was interesting to here a non American opinion of our current situation. Bottom line is that Europe has the same government issues and our problems with the US government is nothing new. The whole world has the same issue and it goes up and down.
All in all it was a great day and the weather was blustery but sunny. Curacao Island is very nice and would recommend it as a good safe place to stop for anybody. Now some pictures!
Sailing into Curacao Island
Curacao Willemstad
Walking through the city streets
The Cafes that lined the canals through out the city
One of the bridges we walked across
The Oil Refinery
This big guy ate french fries from the people eating lunch!
Me Standing next to some Cannons!
Our anchorage!
Thanks,
Jacques
My Thoughts Of Bonaire Island
I really like the Island of Bonaire and will defiantly make a scuba vacation trip back. The island also has some of the best snorkeling that I have ever seen and you could spend all week snorkeling from the beachs, then drink beer and cocktails at the many beach bars all over the island. The Dutch speak very good English and love that you are on the island. It was one of the few islands I was not treated like another dumb tourist or annoyed with taxi drivers/store owners trying to get a sale. I really enjoyed getting off the path here and enjoyed all the nature parks. My favorite place was the Grocery Store. I love fine food, wine, cheese, meats, and very strange items. Well the Dutch Super Market on Bonaire Island is amazing! I wish I had my camera and a few weeks to try everything they offered. I still spent $40 dollars on walnut cheese, chocolate, breads, thin sliced deli meat that just melts in your mouth. Last I enjoyed the prices of the fine restaurants which served up some of the most indescribable burgers and dinners that I have every had. Never thought I could have a better hamburger then in the USA, well I was dead wrong. I had a burgundy burger that I think was made for god because it tasted so good with rich spices and flavors that I cannot describe
I am now sitting in Curacao Island with 30 knots winds and it took 5 hours to sail east from Bonaire Island, I have good internet. I posted some pictures that my dad took well I was out diving. I hope you enjoy.
Wild Goats Everywhere
Wild Buroes
Landscape
More Bonaire Island Landscape
Flamingo
Entrance Road
Cactus_fence
me
Thanks,
Jacques
Diving in Bonaire
I spent the day diving off the shores of Bonaire Island and enjoyed a spectacle of schools of fish of ever color you could imagine. I took many videos swimming through schools of fish and kicking my fins through the many coral heads that where covered with bright colored sea life. As I dived I noticed that if you just relaxed in one spot and watched the reef you would start to see many different fish that blended in if you just swam by. I was able to dive between 40 and 60 feet and enjoyed Bonaire Island diving as it is the 3rd best dive site in the world. Tomorrow we will sail to Curacoa Island.
Diving in Bonaire at 50 Feet
I wish I could have post the 2 minute video that I took but I have such bad internet it would take 6 hours. Anyway I took a still and this is what I ended up with. I guess I will have to figure out a better way to shoot pictures underwater.
Thanks,
Jacques
Some Pictures of Bonaire Island Coming Ashore
Bonaire Shore
One of the many little Lizards
Another Lizard
See all the red dive flags around the east side of the island. They all can be done from shore and each one has a Bar about 1/4 mile or less from each site
Sailing into Bonaire Island, Its much flatter!
Ok I took lots of pictures but could not capture the Dolphins swimming next to Dragonsbane as we sailed in.
Nice local dinghy being covered in bird poop, LOL
So far I have enjoyed Bonaire Island and I am looking forward to diving the water here tomorrow. I hope to get a few good pictures of the monsters of the deep. Should be diving around 50 feet and the water is very warm.
Thanks,
Jacques
Ex-Commando, Broken Inverter, Landfall!
I have made the 455 nautical mile sail to Bonaire Island in 3.5 days and look forward to all her supersizes and wonders that every travels seeks when in a new unknown destination. Upon our arrival my multiple attempts to reach harbor control on VHF 17 radio frequency did not work, so we made landfall in Harbor Village Marina and after consulting a local Dutchmen I was told that the city sleeps from noon to 2pm. We final found the sleeping harbor master and rented a slip for two days at a $1 a foot of Dragonsbne length. Then we walked 30 minutes to customs and immigration and cleared in.
After a few tall Heinekens we walked to Digcell to find out why my cell did not work, with no answer other then it should work and I should email there help desk. Then after that disappointment we went back to Dragonsbane to find out that the inverter that charges our batteries is not working and we spent a few hours trying to reinvent the wheel but did not get the dam thing working. I then tried the password for the internet service furnished by the harbor master and that didn’t work either. So I decided to turn to the RUM!
Dad and I found ourselves at the local marina watering hole knocking back beers with an x-commando from the Netherlands who was the same age as my dad. The conversation was of a multitude of subjects including our idea of sailing to Columbia and we where reinforced with his first hand knowledge and decided that we shall sail to Columbia. Another subject strange that it may be was the swapping of ideas of multi culture differences in war between current and past conflicts. It all boiled down to the fact that we are all cut from the same cloth but we are separated by individual historic tribal beliefs that keep countries torn and countries from uniting to be one. If only we could all set our beliefs aside for the common good of each other the world would be at piece. Not locked and load to blow each other up!
I also learned about a young man that the ex-commando sailed with was hitch hiking around the world. He happened to give him a lift from Europe to Columbia where he dropped him off last year and just heard back from him. He is now in Vancouver Canada hitch hiking his way back to Europe. Although being a very intelligent individual a person could go on an epic adventure with only the cloths on his back, passport and the idea that no matter what the local village says about the next place bad/good or other a person with nothing to show for wealth can see the world with his wits and unwavering courage. People of all nations want to hear tails of the road and other place they dream and with that you find kind hearts with a warm meal. So I asked myself why do I stress over the evils of this world because to go forward into the unknown is met with great eye opening experiences and new beliefs. I shall move forward into the scary world and conquer my fears with disregard to people’s opinions of what the world holds evil or good. I will paint the true picture of what this world has become! I am now understanding that time is best spent experiencing the unknown and not chained to desk or cuffed to debt that capitalist insist is the best and safest way to live forever. I rather die trying to know the truth of this world then just live in it!
For you, Jacques
Day Three Minus 300 Nautical Miles
Once again another great day of sailing with wind in the mid teens and swells averaging 7 feet high. No fish today, but I think that was do to the dolphins swimming behind the boat off and on all day. They are goofy little buggers but shuts down my fishing!
Last night the moon was dipped in sold gold, casting bright light which illuminated the squalls that surrounded us but somehow like threading a needle we past them all without incident. It was very trippy seeing the moonlight casting a gold glow over the decks of Dragonbane. It made all the rigging shadow the decks with strange images dancing around as Dragonsbane yawed back and forth surfing the waves at 8 knots. It could also be because I was listening to Pink Floyd “Dark Side of Moon”? Either way I was floating in a different world at the helm of Dragonsbane!
Thanks,
Jacques
Day Two Caribbean Sea!
Day two in the Caribbean Sea is much like the last. The swells are starting to grow larger up to 7 feet. The wind is steady at 18 knots and we are cursing between 5.5 to 6.5 knots with the wind at our back with 200 nautical miles under our belt. The nearest spit of land is 95 nautical miles away. Some fun news is that I caught a tuna off the back of Dragonsbane. Looks like I have close to 2 lbs of fresh Tuna to eat.
Last night the moon was so bright I could see the horizon 10 miles off. The star where very bright and the only sound was Dragonsbane rushing through the water. I enjoyed my evening watch and then my morning watch as I sun came up.
Current Position: 13 deg 15.75min North, 63deg 52.56min West
Thanks,
Jacques
On our Way to Bonaire!
We are on your way and the weather is very nice. A few squalls off in the distance but appear to be moving away from us. We are sailing averaging 6 to 7 knots with the wind right at our backs. I was thinking that this would be a pleasant voyage now finally having the wind at our backs but I am wrong. With the wind at our back Dragonsbane pitches from starboard to port in a very un-rhythmic way. If you are sitting on the port side of the boat looking out at the water over the starboard deck the ocean disappears and all you can see is the ski and then back to the ocean view when it pitches. Regardless of the motion on the ocean we are heading in the right direction and make good speed.
Best regards,
Jacques
Current Position 13deg 55.58min North, 61deg 40.06min West
The Eve Of A Voyage!
I spent the day finishing up last minute tasks and even enjoyed a paddle boarding for the work out at the beach. We fueled up our tanks, topped off our water, and checked the oil in the diesel one last time. Our equipment appears to be ready for our 4 day voyage from St. Lucia to Boronia Island ABC’s. the weather window is looking good calling for 20 to 27 knot winds and the waves are beginning to get smaller from 10 foot to 5 to 7 feet as we journey out into the blue ocean of motion. I will continue to post on my blog via SSB Radio transmission with GPS coordinates if you would like to see where we are. Once again thank you all for following my journey!
With love,
Jacques
Just Another Nut!
First I have always found it odd when I heard people speaking in a foreign language such as German, French, Italian, and so on in public places through out the United State. I always wondered why they where here and what they where up to. Now that I have been out of the United States for almost 4 months now I am continually surrounded by French, German, Italian, British, South African, and many others. At first I felt like the odd duck on the pond and would wonder what was going through their mined when they looked at me. I always assumed that I looked like a good old boy from the USA and they were smugly looking at me, like I was just another stupid American. But the reality is that they have no more of a clue of who I am or where I am from. My self awareness of my surroundings are becoming more relaxed and almost to the point that being in a bar with 20 different languages filling the air and culture clicks is somewhat normal. Everybody has a respect of each other regardless of country and moves about there business in a very slow and common manner. I personally enjoy the blend of conversation that I can’t understand but listen none the less and can pick up the just of the story by there body language and key words or phases. I am totally emerged into a melting pot of culture and now feel like one of the potatoes in the pot just softening up with all the other nuts out here!
Thanks,
Jacques
Hows the Weather?
The weather is perfect tonight; with just the right amount of heat and cool breeze that puts one soul into a coma of thought, with a tall beer. I am sitting back on the shore side enjoying a pizza from a fired brick oven and drinking a local Piton Beer which is brewed here on St. Lucia. I spent the day quibbling over sums of money with local merchants for phone service, ship supplies, and bus rides. My mother went home this afternoon as she does not like to make the long voyages that we are about to do. In two days after we have repaired and fitted Dragonbane out we will spend 4 days at sea to make our way to the ABC’s. That is Aruba, Curacao, and BonaireIslands which is about 60 miles north of South America. Our passage has been postpone do to a large weather system south and north of our position that is producing wind speeds in the 35 to 40 mpr range and large swells 7 to 10 feet coming down from the north Atlantic. I am hoping that the weather window will open up on Friday. Our plan is to set sail on Friday and sail into Bonaire and arrive on Monday after noon if we have good weather.
So far my experience here on St Lucia has been good. It is a English speaking island, and has many of the normal USA products but is limited on its diversity in supplies and has a mix of European products as well. The transportation is cheap, only $0.50 for a bus ride to wherever. But the buses are vans which zip around every 2 to 3 minutes. I am comfortable here but would not be sad if I never returned.
Thanks,
Jacques
A Typical Day In the Life Of a Cruiser!
I woke at 4:30am to a squall rushing past our anchorage and hopped out of bed to latch all the hatches so the interior of Dragonsbane would not be soaked with water. After battening down the hatches your personal emotion is heightened because like any storm they are just exciting to experience and you get that feeling down deep in your stomach. I feel the boat stretch back on her anchor and the wind whistle through the shrouds. I crawl into my berth and listen to the wind and feel the movement of the storm as it causes the boat to sway back and forth rocking me back to sleep.
I wake up again at light, the sun has popped up like a peace of toast showing its perfect symmetrically shape just above the horizon. I then grab a baguette, jam, sliced deli meat and sit back watching the day begin while eating a really hard baguette that I soften up with hot green tea. After a light meal I turn on the computer, pull out the navigation charts and plot our course to the next island. I take note of all the obstacles that are in my path from point “A” to “B”. Then stow the computer, and anything that could become a hazardous object when being tossed around like a bobber. Then I move to the topside deck to retrieve our dinghy tender. I lash the dinghy to the back stern while in the water and lift up the 9.9hp Mercury outboard motor and clamp it down on the stern pulpit. Then stow the fuel tanks, oars, and drag the dinghy to the forward deck. I hoist the dinghy to the deck from the sea and lash it and ratchet it down with straps. After dinghy duty I remove the mainsail, staysail covers and stow them away. I then connect the halyards to both sails and prep them for flying while reviewing the condition of each sheet, rope, halyard, and lashing for any signs of chafing or breaks. The engine is started up, warmed for 5 minutes and then I signal to my dad what direction to move so I can retrieve the 64lb anchor that I trust with my life and Dragonsbane’s. I use the windless to grind in the anchor chain and then the anchor where I lash that to the front deck for safe keeping.
Now we are on our way out to the ocean and note the time, bearing, and speed in the log book. As we make our way under engine we turn into the wind and I raise the mainsail grinding the winch and checking the tension of the halyards. Then we fall off the wind as Dragonsbane catches the wind, feeling the hull speed up through the water. Then I grind away at the staysail and tune her sheets so that both sails are balanced for speed. Then I roll out the Jib and grind in her sheet and feel Dragonsbane lean down and shoot off into the ocean. The engine is shut down and the only thing heard is Dragonsbane slicing its way through the waves and water rushing by. Now we do this until we reach our destination.
While underway we consult one of the many books we have in our library on where to anchor and in what bay. After a location is agreed and we arrive I take in the sails, lash them down, and untie the anchor. I drop the anchor noting the depth and make sure I have enough chain out. Then the dinghy is deployed and I lift the outboard back to the dinghy. My dad goes to shore and clears customs and immigration. I clean up the piles of ropes, put the sail covers on, and stash all the lose items that fell below. Now its time for dinner and time to brainstorm what we would like to do on this island. Also a list of all broken equipment that occurred during the voyage so replacement parts can be purchased and installed for the next round. Because for every voyage a new creak, grown, or crack is something that needs to be investigated and usually turns up broken equipment which I always reply “SON OF A BICTH, I just fixed that!”. I am thinking comminuting on east coast 95 bumper to bumper for 2 hours is not so bad anymore!
Thanks,
Jacques
St. Lucia
The local fruit guy that comes to our boat to sell fruit
My Moms fruit she purchased
A Clipper Ship Leaving our Anchorage
Current Location St. Lucia, French India’s
The St. Lucia Squall!
We left Martinique Island at 9:30am today and found the wind right after we turned out of Fort de France bay were the wind was blowing 22 to 25 knots. We put two reefs into the mainsail, flew the staysail and reefed jib sails for about 15 nautical miles. As we sailed across the Martinique-St Lucia channel I noticed a very big gray cloud that covered the entire 22 nautical mile channel. I kept one eye on the clouds and one on the wind instrument. From my experience crossing the North Atlantic Gulf Stream I could see the signs of a strong squall racing at us. I hesitated in my judgment and thought that this squall would not produce much wind and sailed on with our current sail configuration. Then after a few minutes I could see a wall of whiteout rain racing across the ocean along with very big swells that where breaking when they reached full height. I turned to my dad and said we need to take in the jib now. Moments before the squall hit us my dad worked frantically to winch in the jib roller furling that was now whipping wildly off to the starboard and the sound was deafening by the snapping of the sail and her sheets. I could not leave the helm and left my dad and mom to the task of winching in the jib as the squall engulfed us with stinging rain and 35 knots of wind. Finally my parents had the jib under control, I worked the helm quickly to adjust our angle to the wind as the squall had shifting wind directions and caused the boat to heel and put the rail in the water. After a few minutes of playing with the squall I had her tempo down and laughed with excitement at the power of the wind and the waves crashing over the bow. I was having a great rush but my parents were not to thrilled with the situation, but I kept saying “its letting up don’t worry” and my mom would respond with “your full of it” I laughed with a salty soaked grin! Finally after a half hour of 30 to 35 knot plus winds the squall was gone and we cruised into St. Lucia, dropped the anchor and had a few cold ones.
Thanks,
Jacques
A Day In Martinique Island
Today was a very busy day, it started with a 20 minute dinghy ride around Fort de France to the shipyard where the French Navy had there battle ship at dock and several freighters tied up. As we zipped along in our dinghy I looked up at these mammoth ships and felt like a mosquito among giants. After our failed trip to find a GPS mapping card for our Garmin chart plotter we zipped back to Dragonsbane under the shadows of the giant ships and the eyes of Fort de France watching us move across the bay. Shortly after arriving to Dragonsbane we noticed our British neighbor’s boat was gone and we assumed they had left as the anchorage we are in is so packed with yachts that you could walk from yacht to yacht to shore without getting your feet wet. But my dad noticed that their boat had slipped on its anchor and was drifting out of control through a gantlet of sailboats and was at risk of damaging herself and others. My dad and I jumped into the dinghy and boarded the boat to find Pauline freaking out and to make a long story short we helped her reset the anchor and made sure she was safe. After our excitement with the drifting boat we went to shore and walked the busy city streets and ended up at the spice market. As I entered the spice market there was an overwhelming amount of fresh spices, fruit, handmade goods, and RUM everywhere you could look. I spent time smelling all the fresh raw spices, vanilla, thyme, curry, coca, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and pineapple. I purchased fresh cloves, curry, and raw coca that now fills Dragonsbane’s cabin with a exotic mixture of spices that compliments the ocean breeze. After spending time in the market I enjoyed walking the endless streets packed with fine clothing, multiple linen, and shoe stores that it would take a month to see each one. I enjoyed walking through a very old library where the books where tanned brown and hundreds of years old, and the original Catholic church that had huge vaulted ceilings. I then made my way back to Dragonsbane and spent the rest of the day scrubbing her belly so Dragonsbane sailed at top speed. After a salty bath and rinsing off in fresh water our British neighbors joined us for cocktails as we exchanged our tails of the sea and all our boat issues. Once again another good day!
Good night and Thanks,
Jacques
Sailing into the Island of Martinique
Walking the City Streets of Martinique
Walking in the market streets
Shopping for spices
Lots of spices to buy and smell
Walking in the old Library with very old books!
The church, I didn’t take pictures inside for respect of others.
Our Anchorage! Took this from the dinghy as I rowed.
Thanks again for reading my blog,
Jacques
First Time I Sailed Through a Washing Machine!
We left Dominica last night around 4:30pm to Martinique and began our voyage with no wind. This was due to being on the leeward side of Dominica Island which was 20 miles of motor sailing but we made good speed at 6 knots. As we approached the 22 nautical mile open water pass between Dominica Island and Martinique Island I felt the wind speed climb from 5 knots to 25 knots in a hard blow. I quickly decided to reef the main sail to the second reef and fly only the staysail so I could maintain control of Dragonsbane. As the shore lights of Dominica faded into the star light of the horizon behind me large swells from the north Atlantic began to roll across my bow and mixed in with the east trade wind waves. As I hacked my way through the waves on my shift alone I felt the boat being tossed up into the air by the northern swells and then push down into the troughs of waves by the eastern trade wind waves with a sudden stop. Even with a confused sea, and the movement of Dragonsbane unpleasant, I had fun as I sailed 7 knots and on course for the entire night. I did get a little cold because some of the waves would dump into the cockpit right as I would be drying out from the last wave. I always answered the wave with a “Son of A Bitch!” and laughed with a big salty bearded smile on my face and hoped to go faster!
We made landfall around 5:30am and I enjoyed using the Radar to navigate through the busy harbor. It’s pretty cool to see little specs on the radar, track them, and avoid a collision. I felt very safe in Dragonsbane as we made it to the anchorage and dropped anchor right in front of Fort de France, Martinique. I enjoyed the sun rise with a cigar and the old city church bells of France ringing in the new day! Nothing better on this salty Valentines Day!
Happy Valentines Day Everybody,
Jacques
Running Into the Jungle!
When we woke up this morning we were once again greeted by the boat boys as the locals call them. They each have colorful boats with outboard engines and patrol the anchorage for thieves and offer many services to cruisers. One of the boys offered to take us up the Indian River in Dominica for $18 each. The river runs deep into the Jungle of Dominica and sounded like fun so we agreed to go. We hopped into the boat and were off to the river and as we made our way into the entrance the captain of our new vessel stopped the motor and started to row with his hand carved oars. Apparently it is forbidden to motor up the river because it is a natural preserve.
Entering the Jungle from the ocean into the Indian River
As our guide rowed his way up the river you could feel the humidity begin to rise and moisture in the air was thick with the smell of green leaves sunning themselves in the above canopy and brackish water which is a mix of salt and fresh water. All you could hear was birds, leaves rustling, and loud squeaks of the bamboo trees.
The river begins to narrow as we got deeper into the Jungle
As the jungle canopy began to close off the sky above our heads the banks of the river began to move with all kinds of little black crabs that had one claw bigger than their body and looked very silly as they burrowed there way into the mud banks.
The Jungle is very thick now
As we approached a corner our guide pointed out the location of where the scene for “Pirates of Caribbean”. The scene was for the whitch that they sought out in one of the movies, not sure which one.
Our river guide was the pilot for the movie on this river. He was very proud.
The further on we rowed we ended up finding a Bar in the middle of the Jungle! I went in to find only a chicken perched on a white cedar chair back making all kinds of noise. I walked by cautiously as my interaction with chickens has been rough up to this point. Anyway he did not care I was there, nor did all the lizards in the tin roof above our heads. Unfortunately all the rum was gone so we head back down the river.
The Bar in the Jungle with a chicken only
Green and blue lizards hanging out above our heads
The adventure ended with us seeing some boa-constrictor snakes sunning themselves way up in trees but I could not get a good picture. The guide dropped us of at Dragonsbane and I am now making her ready for tonight’s sail to the island of Martinique. Which I am told is a very French island and is friendly to cruisers but has a lot of petty crime. It should take us about 12 hours to get there but I am hoping that we will have wind again and sail swiftly through the moonlight! Good day and Good Luck!
Thanks,
Jacques
Now the Island of Dominica
We departed iles des Saints the French Island that I have come to love and will return. Our next short trip was 22 nautical miles to the island of Dominica which contains a large rain forest, the world’s second largest boiling lakes, and mud ponds. We had a great sail with 20 knots of wind on our beam we cruised 7.5 knots the whole way. My dad cleared us in by going to the custom agent’s house because it was a holiday today on Dominica and the main customs office was closed. We went to town to enjoy the carnival that celebrated the freedom from slavery for the people of Dominica. It was very interesting only 20 nautical miles away and I found a completely different island and culture. The local people were very friendly who speak English, but the town was covered with trash, and poverty was very noticeable. By overlooking the bad I saw the beauty in the landscape and people. Even though the town was rough the people where celebrating in a very hard core way by drinking, singing, and marching behind large speakers mounted to trucks. The atmosphere was fun and lots to take in, not going to lie I had a few drinks myself!
Just anchored in the bay off of Dominica Island
Locals celebrating Dominica
The moving sound stage for the moving party through town
House in town. This is why we have building codes people
Trying a local rum shot which came from the jug behind me with all the stuff in it. I wont lie it tasted like a shot of potpourri.
Thanks,
Jacques
Post Cards & French Bread!
This morning I went to shore to my favorite little town iles des Saints and wondered the streets to find a bakery to get a fresh baked bread for lunch. I was able to find such a place and bought a baguette that was a yard long and enjoyed walking about with this bread and felt like a true French local as we were all walking with fresh bread. I purchased some post cards and walked to the post office. As I approach the front gate I was told by a young man my age in French that it was closed. I told him in French I didn’t speak French and without hesitation he said in English “Fukien closed! Holiday” then we spoke in a mix of French and English for a few blocks as we walked where everything was and how I could get postage stamps to mail them. So I went to a few little shops and found stamps, but was stumped on how the yellow mail box worked and decided I would fill the post cards out on the boat and then return to that strange mail box. I then jumped into the dingy and rowed back to Dragonsbane for the work out. Most of my day was toiling with Dragonsbane working on the water maker and changing the oil on the Honda generator. After many hours my dad and I accomplished fixing the water maker and I changed the oil in the generator.
As we worked I dropped my mom off in town and let her wonder about. She happened to figure out the mail box issue and bought fresh potatoes from the market and came back aboard to cook up a great beef roast with potatoes, and mushrooms in the pressure cooker. The boat smelled of roast beef and as we finished up cleaning the boat we sat down and had cocktails. Then enjoyed the meal she had prepared with the little French town, basking in moonlight as our back drop and listened to French music over the radio. I must say life is good on the sea and tomorrow I will wonder out into the ocean to Dominica Island.
iles des Saints
The Town Square
Walking down the street
Main Street
Thank,
Jacques
I Found the Last of Europe
After clearing customs, lunch on the boat, and a nap from the 30 hours of sailing we headed to town in iles des Saints which was a 2 minute dingy ride from stern to dock. Our hope was to have a authentic French dinner and sight see some of the local shops. But like a true French dinner it does not begin till 7pm anywhere in town and you must reserve a table in order for the chef to cook for you. It was only 5:30 so we took our time and tried our best to interpret all the French Menus at all the restaurants and settled on “Restaurant Au bon vivre”. It was very well recommend and was located in a small field stone shop that was open to the narrow street with little café tables set for dinner. Large timber beams held the ceiling in place with bare wood tongue and grove floors gave the ambiance that one would expect of a French restaurant. We walked the town till 7pm and worked up a even bigger appetites and enjoyed the very French town. I notice that all the local people where outside their houses chatting and telling stories. The kids where everywhere playing on bicycles and skating around. The town was alive with the sound of happy people living together. No TV’s, no video games for the kids, and no noise of car traffic as the town was small enough to walk or use one of the many little scooters. I think it is unfortunate that we don’t live in a culture like this as I miss talking to my neighbors and the sound of a lively neighborhood. Anyway we sat down for dinner and I had lasagna with lamb, my dad had a rack of lamb with chunks of sweet goat cheese cooked into the meat, and my mom had a salad with duck and some kind of French sauce. The meal took about 2 and half hours but it was nice to be seated on the narrow street with only people walking by, cats and dogs walking by looking up for scraps. I also enjoyed the sound of piano music floating through the air as we finished up our meal. I will definitely be back to this wonderful little spot where there are few world culture influences other then French.
Thanks,
Jacques
dragonsbanevoyage 