Island hopping
Since our last blog entry from Beaufort, due to an offshore weather pattern, we made several coastal jumps to West Palm Beach and from there we finally crossed the Gulf Stream directly to Nassau. The route to Puerto Rico has to be taken from the latitude of Beaufort or higher, otherwise it becomes a struggle against the wind, and so we just decided to see Puerto Rico another time... Although we visited the Bahamas five years ago, with over 700 islands and 2,400 cays there is always a new cove to drop the anchor in, a new coral head to snorkel over, another shade of turquoise water to admire or some new island where to enjoy an ice cold beer. Our final stop was Clarence Town, Long Island, the perfect place from where to await an opportunity to move on, and where you find probably the most easygoing people on Earth! On the way from Clarence Town to Île à Vache, Haiti, we made another decision to change our plans and now here we are, in Port Antonio, Jamaica. I am very happy we finally didn't go to Île à Vache, as we have met here few boats who didn't have a good experience over there, although there are others who loved it. Amazingly Port Antonio is now very quiet - on our last visit reggae music blasted over the whole port 24/7! After the Bahamas this NE corner of the island is green and full of flowers, receiving rain daily, brought in by a steady flow of warm and humid trade wind stacking up against the Blue Mountain range. Shortly after our arrival,
Compagneira, a motor sailor that we have met in Ecuador three years ago, entered the harbour and so we explore the island together, while catching up on the sea adventures and news of old friends. Although the weather for the next passage for now is not too bad, we are awaiting a bit calmer sea to sail to Colon, Panama. The heading of about 100 degrees from the wave direction could make this passage quite rolly in 12 to 14 feet wave! Meanwhile we relax and enjoy the company of friends and fellow cruisers... and the time flies by...fast... too fast...
