04/09/2012 THROUGH 04/14/2012 THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TO THE BAHAMAS

MONDAY AND TUESDAY  (4/09 AND 4/10) OCEAN WORLD IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

We used these two days to recuperate from our long run from Saint Martin; lounging around the pool, cooling dips into the water,  enjoying the luxury of having our laundry done, dining back at Ahora as well as doing some preparation cooking for our next long travel leg.

WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY (4/11 AND 4/12) SETTING OFF FROM SANTO DOMINGO

With a promising weather window for the next few days, we checked out, paid our bill and set off for ports north around 9:30.  Our planned coarse will take us northeast past Inagua, the Acklins and Crookeds then up Long Island and across to Emerald Bay on Great Exuma.

Thankfully the seas and wind were quiet as Dan and I both succumbed to some mysterious malady that had me hugging the trash can and Dan making frequent trips to the head. 

We had curious dolphin checking us out for a short time and somehow managed to snag a rope out in the middle of nowhere.  Dan was able to dislodge it and it proved no hindrance but it will have to be checked out once we reach our destination.  He is getting pretty good at cutting those buggers of the shaft.

By Thursday morning we were slipping between the islands of Inagua and Little Inagua.  Later in the morning Dan discovered a whale spouting and leaping in the distance.  By 3:30 we had the Acklins in sight and before 5:00 we were passing the picturesque lighthouse on the southern point, Castle Rock, in the Mira Por Vos Passage.  As night descended upon us, we were happily scooting along in the Crooked Island Passage towards Long Island.

CASTLE ROCK LIGHTHOUSE

FRIDAY  (4/13) ARRIVING BACK IN THE EXUMAS

423 NM AND 55 HOURS LATER

In the wee small hours of the morning Dan altered our course to insure a smoother passage.  The wind and waves had picked up slightly and Quest was doing a bit of lobbing from side to side.  Our new sailing direction brought us west of Long Island and to the south of Great Exuma, protected from the developing elements and traveling peacefully. 

Heading to Black Point for the night, we found it absolutely mandatory to again alter our course.  Right off our portside, about a mile and a half, Dan discovered a menacing waterspout threatening to interfere with our intended route plans.  Again, change of plans!! (Remember, we’re nothing if not flexible!)  After making the necessary coarse modifications to steer clear of the ‘water tornado”, we watched as it slowly lost its form and its strength dissipated.

THIS BABY DEFINITELY GOT OUR ATTENTION!

We dropped anchor off Great Guana Cay, shut off the engines that had been working hard for the last 55 hours and welcomed the quiet that engulfed us.  I took a quick swim in the transparent aqua sea while Dan did a little rope-clearing maintenance. It was loosely wrapped around the shaft and Dan just tugged it free and hauled it up for the requisite photo opportunity.

THE BLOODY CULPRIT THAT

We marveled again at the beauty of the Exumas and concluded that our venturing on the Quest to the Turks and Caicos, the Virgin Islands or St. Martin would probably never occur again.  The Bahamian water is remarkably clearer with viable aquatic life, the boaters are typically occupants in their own vessels and not quick-change charters and the islands are located so near our US shore. 

WHY WE SO LOVE THE EXUMAS

SATURDAY (4/14) AND A NIGHT ANCHORED AT BIG MAJORS

Oh, what a wonderful night at anchor!  The wind, however, has arrived with considerable force.  Being on the bank side offers much protection and we are able to move on.  We pulled into Black Point and dropped the anchor, expecting to go ashore for some of Loraine’s Mom’s bread.  For some reason the anchor didn’t take purchase and we began to drift under the influence of the forceful winds.  Phooey! We decided to just pack it in and continue our journey past Sampson Cay and on to the Big Majors anchorage. 

Again, Quest’s anchor did not get a good latch into the sandy bottom.  This time we pulled it in, did some re-positioning and sat it again.  This seemed just too weird because we NEVER have dragging problems due to Dan’s mastery of this anchoring thing and more than ample chain and rope to give us plenty of line on the bottom.  Once Dan thought we were good, he did a little dive on the anchor which reaffirmed his positive opinion of our security.  With concerns of Quest drifting dispelled, we headed for the cruisers beach.  Jim and Janie from Pirate, along with numerous other trawler residents, were enjoying the glorious afternoon and we were happy to join them.