Spanish Virgin Islands

Now that our boats are in full working condition, Mystigue needed to sail south as soon as possible. The Pas De Deux and Mystique still remain sailing buddies, sailing together when the weather permits for as long as possible. Two other boats The Nebula and Off-Line that we met in Ponce are also sailing south leaving around the same time on their own schedule. I’m sure we will meet up again soon.

This crossing was much shorter. We left at 4:oo am and got to the Spanish Virgin Islands before dark. No problems knock on wood. The water is much clearer then Puerto Rico and it rains a lot more.

The Spanish Virgin Islands are broken down into four separate areas. Isla Palominos, La Cordillera, Culebra and The Vieques. Because, of our location and the weather we started in Isla De Vieques, sometimes called La Isla Nina (daughter Island) referring to it’s relationship with Puerto Rico. Real pirates came frequently to this island a lot to re-supply their vessels, because in those days there were an abundance of fish, birdlife and timber.

This bay is called Bay of Esperanza a small fishing anchorage. The boys talked me into renting a bicycle and riding to Isable Segunda. I thought it was a good idea until I found out that it’s like renting a bicycle in San Francisco! All up steep hills. 6 miles one way. All this to see an old fort and a lighthouse? They almost killed me. Other ladies that we have met along the way envy me being with three such good looking men, but if they only knew how much work it is to keep up with them they would wish me luck!!! They also did it to me in the rain forest in Puerto Rico. A half an hour hike turned into a three hour adventure all steep up and steep going down. People were stopped all along the way huffing and panting. The guys just pushed on. At the end young people took pictures so they could remember surviving through the trail.

When we arrived back to our boats we could see that the Pas De Deux’s anchor had dragged about 25 yards. The winds picked up to 30 knots in the bay while we were gone. The only thing that stopped their boat from heading out to sea was a large sand-bar and a bunch of cruisers. They have a 7’ foot draft on their boat and the sand-bar was like only 4 to 5 foot to the waterline. This means that the boat was grounded. (Grounded really bad.) They couldn’t just wait for high tide to get them out. It had the be pushed or pulled out. Along with about 7 other cruisers, including the guys from The Nebula and Offline, they were here, I knew we would meet again. Everyone worked diligently to free the Pas De Deux with no prevail. Dinghies were pushing, sails were flying it was quite a site. Mystique has been grounded before but not like this, this boat was leaning over on it’s side with water coming in at times. After about a hour a big motorboat pulls up to help. They pulled them out in two tries. Yea! their loose! What an ordeal, everyone around knew that their boat dragged anchor. People tend to stay far away from boats that their anchors slip out, everyone was talking. And these guys are real sailors! I guess it happens to the best of us. We both had two anchors out each, ours held, thank god.

While Michiel bought drinks at the local bar for all the men that helped out. Someone stole Carl’s gas can from his dinghy. Without that special connection to the engine the dinghy’s motor wont work. Great that’s our only means of transportation between the boat and shore! This is a small town with no taxis and only one hardware store. He’s not getting me back on a bicycle here again, that’s for sure! I hope we can leave here soon. It’s been raining and blowing hard all day, we also rock-en-roll all night as Mystique makes strange squeaking sounds that will keep anyone awake. The weather will keep us here for awhile now but gives me time to write anyway.