The Bahamas

BellaLuna arrived in Florida June 3rd and we have been here looking after a number of boat jobs.  Two tropical storms have delayed our departure so we have decided to leave BellaLuna here and fly home.  We will fly to Detroit and attend our nieces wedding on July 27th in Jackson, Michigan.  Then travel with family back to Orillia for the month of August.

Below are a number of photos of our trip from San Juan to Florida.  Sailing through the Bahamas was fantastic.  We look forward to spending more time in that area next winter.

Cruise ship in San Juan harbour

This gentleman lives on his working tug in a marina in San Juan.  Very interesting man with lots of interesting stories.

Our new friend Miguel in San Juan

Departing San Juan Harbour

It wasn't until San Juan that we where able to get our fishing gear to the boat and organized.  So we wet the line after departing San Juan.  We were both amazed to catch a fish so fast.  It was so exciting to reel it in, clean it and then bbq it for supper.  The only thing we need on board is a garden then we can get off the grocery grid!!!

Gord's first Tuna

Beautiful sunset

Manatee in Clarence Town, Long Island

Santa Maria, Long Island

Looking out at gorgeous Santa Maria Beach, Long Island Bahamas

Debbie in Nassau harbour

entering Nassau harbour

This is not BellaLuna!!!

Going under the Nassau bridge

Moon over Nassau harbour

New friends Kathy & Alex in Grand Bahama

Playing pool with the boys in Lucaya, Bahamas, Coral Reef Yacht Club

Florida with sister yacht "Ona"

Ona & BellaLuna

Debbie and I have had a fantastic first year of living aboard BellaLuna.  We have traveled 8000 miles (wow), met so many interesting people and have seen so many fantastic places.  We will be back to blogging in September when we return to BellaLuna and sail her north up the east coast of the USA.

It's great to have you following us on our adventure.

The Caribbean

Debbie and I have been sailing for the past month from Grenada to San Juan Puerto Rico.  We are sorry for not being able to update our blog.  There has been little or no quality internet to be able to upload pictures and a blog.

We left Grenada after saying goodbye to Laura and started our island travels north.  WOW!! what fantastic warm water anchorages, islands and sailing we have experienced during the past month.  Pictures can't really tell the whole story but we will attach a few so that you get the idea.

Grenada

St. George, Grenada

                                                                Mansion on Mustique

Gord's new friend

                                                     Steaming Volcano on Monseratt

Tim in St. Martin

Our Friend Tim from Orillia joined us in St. Martin.  This was his first time on a sailboat and the first time in the Caribbean.  We had a great time sharing new experiences for all of us.

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Island

One of our favourites spots are the British Virgin Islands.  We spent a week enjoying the shallow warm water.  The darker areas are coral reefs and they are just like a very fancy aquarium with amazing varieties of coral and brightly coloured fish.  The Baths and pristine beaches to the north there were highlights for us.  (Thanks Craig)  Lots of snorkelling, swimming and some hiking to the top of a hill where you can take a dip in a pool - very nice because you are a little warm when you get there!

Debbie snorkelling 

Fun at The Baths,  Virgin Gorda, B.V.I.s

Next stop was Culebra.  It is an island and part of Puerto Rico.  We enjoyed the fantastic beaches and the warm relaxing sun.  Here we met our friends the Silverstein family on a sister boat "Field Trip". It was a too short of a visit but so good to see them.

Friends and Fellow Adventurers, the Silverstein Family 

Debbie and Gord and Tim on Flamenco Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico

Then from Culebra we had a day sail to San Juan.  Almost no wind but a beautiful clear sunny day.  The San Juan harbour is amazing.  The contrast of the old fort and the new modern buildings is incredible.  Debbie and I have been to San Juan many times but to actually sail into the harbour in our own boat was amazing.  It's a very busy harbour with cruise ships, cargo ships and many private vessels coming and going.  Many years ago I thought that it would so incredible to sail into this harbour on our own boat!  It was quite exciting to fulfill this dream!

The Fort, San Juan, P.R.

The view of the harbour entrance from the fort

Gord on a "hop on hop off" tour of old San Juan

We will set sail on Thursday for the Bahamas and then onto Florida.  We can't guarantee quality wifi but we will try and update our blog soon.  Our plan is to spend this summer sailing the east coast of the USA and then returning to the Caribbean next winter.

Father / Daughter complete 3400 mile sailing trip tp Grenada

Laura and I have just arrived in Grenada having finished our sailing adventure that started in Rio and ended on the beautiful Caribbean Island of Grenada.

Laura and I returned to Bellaluna on February 5th and Debbie stayed in Orillia because of health reasons.  So, I was left to find crew to assist with our trip.  At the marina in Rio I asked around and put the word out for “crew needed”.  

Edison

A day later I was introduced to Edison.  He is a retired pilot and also an avid sailor.  He was able to sail with us to Natal.  (North tip of Brazil) It was great having him along.  He was very knowledgeable about the coast of Brazil having flown over it and sailed it many times.  Debbie then went to work to find someone to crew from Natal to Grenada.  She placed many ads on sailing forms on the net and other places.  NOW, this is how small the world is!!  We received a response from a woman who is Canadian, grew up in Toronto and lived about 10 minutes from the Toronto family home I grew up in.  She went to the neighbouring high school and we actually know some of the same people.  She has been sailing in the World Arc Rally. (an around the world cruising rally)  She was in Brazil and needed a ride to the Caribbean so she answered our ad.  Irene was on board from Natal to Grenada.  The three of us got along great and she did a great job assisting us with the 2200 mile passage.

Laura in Salvador

We departed Rio on February 9^th and made four stops as we sailed north up the coast of Brazil.  1,390 miles and we had not even left the coast of Brazil.  We stopped in the cities of Vitoria, Salvador, Natal and Fortaleza.

Prior to this trip Laura has had very little sailing experience.  Riding on the trapeze of our Hobie Cat on Lake Simcoe was about it.  The only ocean sailing experience is on the Lido deck of Carnival Cruise line sunning herself.  So she was in for an experience.

Laura at the helm

So began the large learning curve of living on a sailboat for five weeks.  Laura jumped in with both feet and learned very quickly the ins and outs of Bellaluna, sail setting, anchoring, obtaining passage weather reports, route planning, docking, 2 hour watches and cooking at sea. 

Prior to leaving Rio she had cooked many meals and had them in the freezer ready to eat.  That proved invaluable because of the sea conditions throughout the trip.  It is not easy cooking pasta dinner travelling at 10 knots per hour with 3 meter high waves.  I have to say we have done very well in the meal department.

When you sail 24/7 someone has to be on watch all the time.  I set up a 2 hour on, 4 hour off schedule.  Three of us sharing the rotation.  After a few days Laura was in the groove and adjusted to the watches, sleeping, eating and back on watch again.  It sounds hard but once your body gets used to it you feel pretty good.

Resting between watches.  Go Jays Go!!

Memorable Moments:

·      3400 nautical miles sailed

·      Three rain storms sailed through.  Each with winds greater than 36 miles per hour.  Just a little WILD!!

The storm is coming!!!

Equator

·      Sailing over the equator and stopping for a photo op.  Could not swim because of the high winds and seas.

·      Three days of rain while crossing the equator

·      The rest were sunny warm beautiful days and amazing star lite nights.

·      Fantastic sun rises and sun sets.

·      Full moon at the start of the trip

·      Waking Gord up for help.  He would not wake up.  He went all “ninja” on us. (I think they made that up)

·      Sail furler maintenance while on the go.

·      Flying fish

Flying fish on the deck

·      Not seeing land for 13 days.

·      First steps back on land (why is the land moving)

·      Snorkeling and scuba diving along the way.

Gord checking the prop.  All is good

·      Dad asking “What is the wind and boat speed all the time” (stop already)

·      350 liters of diesel fuel carried to Bellaluna with jerry cans and emptied into the tanks.

·       Many firsts and many new things learned and experienced

One thing that had eluded us throughout the trip was the sighting of dolphins.  While, two days in a row they appeared in a big way.  The first day was a small group of about 10-15 (hard to count because they move so fast) and the second day was even more amazing.  Our best guess was approximately 40 dolphins.  They played at the bow of our boat for over 45 minutes.  Putting on an amazing show of swimming, playing and diving for food.  Had to be one of the highlights of the trip.  

We have arrived safely in Grenada.  For that we are very thankful.  Laura has been a fantastic crew member and lots of fun to be with for the last 5 weeks.  As a Dad this has been a very special time for me.  I have been able to share my passion for sailing with Laura and have enjoyed our father/daughter time very much.

Laura, can’t wait for our next adventure.  You can crew for me on BellaLuna anytime.  You are the best!!!  I love you.

Now it’s back to the Canadian winter for you.  Sorry the 35 degree sunny days must come to an end.

Thanks Laura

Beautiful sunset while sailing to Grenada