Hey Guys
The crew figures that it is about time that the Captain sent out an e-mail. Those of you know me also know that I don’t talk very much. Any way here goes.
It’s hard to believe that we have been cruising for over a year. To me the Caribbean was going to be a shake down cruise and figure out if this old Dutch boat and I were going to get along or not. As it turns out she is as stubborn as me (or maybe, we are a very close match). I know that Bruce Look (a close friend of mine in Yellowknife is probably laughing his ass off at that one). Bruce is my old chief engineer who hired me back in 1994, (and the reason that Carol and I moved to Yellowknife in the first place, to make a fresh start as newlyweds). Bruce and I have froze our asses off in the Barrens on rescue missions fetching the company aircraft that were in somewhat of a variety of disrepair, living in tents both winter and summer. A cruise through the Caribbean is a hell of a way to thaw out.
Let’s see now. The boys have counted around 12 or 13 countries we have visited this far. Each one has it’s own story and memories. We have made good friends in each one of them, and keep in touch as best we can. They are other cruisers we have met along the way. Meeting up in different ports, swapping stories and adventures. Boat maintenance and repairs, big and small. Getting the low down on the new ports we arrive at and the scoop on the places we are headed.
We are in Bonaire. Christmas and New Year was a blast. The Dutch are crazy about fireworks. When we arrived the fist nite we heard some popping going off that sounded like small arms fire, so we duck down until I figured out that it was only some large fire crackers being set off. Some of the places we have been the popping has been gunfire. That was one of the reasons we decided that from Grenada we would cruise off shore between 75 and 100 NM .The north coast of Venezuela (the Spanish Main)has a bad reputation lately of Piracy and murders on cruising vessels. Being a southern Manitoba farm boy and a northerner, I figure that I have a God given right to protect my family come hell or high water. As I was wearing my loaded .45 and under the helm seat a marine assault shotgun. Carol and the boys I have trained how to use them. I was born and raised hunting and shooting.
Bonaire is a pretty neat place. Figures the Dutch to pick a low island. The industry here is salt and tourism. It’s 112 square miles, 24 miles north to south, 3 to 7 miles east to west. Customs and immigration was interesting. Dylan and I go to check in and find out you have to check in your firearms. Back to the boat we go(Dylan is the dingy man). Back to Customs we go bringing our arsenal with us. When we arrive the customs people had increased their presence with 4 armed personnel. The big burly guy says in an outdoor voice, a .45 what are you going to do with that, shoot a cow. All was quiet, I replied that, then we were going to have a big BBQ. They all laughed and the paper work went smooth.
First country where there is no entrance or port fees. No anchoring is allowed, you have to pick up a mooring located in front of Kralendijk, (the capital of Bonaire). The moorings are maintained by the town and you go to the Harbour Village marina to sign up and the charge is $10.00 US per nite. Here also is where you can buy water (10 cents a gallon, ice (2.50 Bag), Fuel ( diesel .77 US per litre). One US dollar = 1.75 Guilders.
Scuba diving is not too bad to say the least. You have to buy a permit which costs $25.00 US. per person.
We have a mooring in front of a dive shop called Yellow Submarine. The dive boats come and go and we are somewhat of an attraction for their clients. They call me Captain Jack. Our little ship flies a large pirate flag off the starboard main mast halyard. Brett and Dylan got me it for Xmas. Our old one got wore out. There are 63 dive sites for Bonaire and 24 on Klein Bonaire (island about half a mile south of here)
Our dive compressor is working out good . Where we are moored is on a couple of dive sites. Jump in off our boat and start at 8 meters and slopes down to 39 meters. We bought an underwater camera that we are learning to use. Brett (who I have nicknamed Spielberg) has turned out to be quite a techie. He has the camera figured out and has made movies. Helped Carol set up a Facebook and putting under water movies on it. Brett and Dylan also have a Facebook site. Me ,I don’t.
Brett and Dylan love diving and are getting to be pros.
Dylan lives and breathes fishing. Should have seen his face when he found out that Bonaire is a large marine park with rules and he had to turn in Timmy (his spear gun) along with the firearms.
Fishing rules are different for locals and tourists. We can fish outside the park in 200ft of water. The other morning, Dylan and I took our dingy out off of Klein Bonaire and trolled all around. There were 25 knot winds and choppy seas. Both of us soaked to the ass and no bites. We had a good time.
Doing more diving today (Sunday). Tuesday is an engine room day for me, planning to head over to Curacao Wednesday for a couple of days and then Aruba. After some time in Aruba head over to Cartagena, Columbia. Hear and read that it’s quite a historic old city. After that to the San Blas islands and prepare for the transit through the Panama Canal.
Once through the canal head to the Galapagos, (about 912 NM) to see what Darwin is all about. Then to the Marquesas ( another 4051 NM).
We have all got our duties on our little ship and we haven’t killed each other yet, so we should be alright.
Still floating, keeping most of the water outside and most systems are working. And like my Dad says (or you will figure it out). My Mom says I have the patience of Job.
You know you guys, we really enjoy receiving e-mails from all of you. Keep us informed on what is going on in your lives too.
You will have to get Carol, Brett ,or Dylan to get set up with the Facebook thing cause I have no clue.
Anyway, I have talked and probably too much. The Galley Wench says lunch in 5 minutes. Carol is going to get Brett to help attach some pics with the e-mail.
Scuba tanks are full so we will dive this afternoon.
Captain Greg Van Wyck S/V Dutch Dreamer
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