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

Rio de Janeiro to Salvador, Brazil.  Laura reporting on the next leg of our trip to Grenada.

We arrived in Salvador yesterday afternoon, to a beautiful view of the city as we approached. We spent 5 days and 800 miles travelling from Rio de Janeiro to here. At the start of the trip we faced strong head winds, and used the engines. Very choppy waves, with large swells. For my first sailing trip in the ocean, it was tough to get used to at first, but after a few days I got my sea legs and I haven't had to use the "bucket" yet!

To give you a brief understanding of life aboard Bella Luna, sailing 24/7, I will explain my daily schedule. Since we are sailing non-stop and cannot pull over, or anchor (1,522' of water) for the night somebody must always be on watch. I got the best shifts (at least I think so!). We each have 2 hours of watch, then 4 hours off. My four watches each day begin at 6am, 12pm, 6pm and 12am. I get to see the sun rise and set everyday on my watches, and each night the stars are very bright. Its very calm and peaceful! In between the watches I spend a lot of time sleeping. I usually head straight to bed after my midnight watch, but depending on what is going on that day, I either nap outside in the cockpit or on the settee. Our meals vary from day to day. For breakfast we each usually do our own thing, since we are up at different times. For lunch we have done meals together and on our own, all depending on how we feel. And for dinner we have a meal together. The first night it was too choppy to cook, but other nights we barbecued steak, pasta and fish stir-fry!

Gord napping in the cockpit.

Trying to cook dinner in the choppy waves!

We made two stops along the way. The first was a quick stop in Vitoria, Brazil to refuel. We arrived early and anchored for a few hours while we waited for the marina to open. Gord manoeuvred the boat into a very tight gas dock, makes you wonder why they put the gas pumps in places so difficult for boats to get in and out of. But we got in and out with no problems and were soon under way again.

Leaving Vitoria

Our next stop was at a small grouping of islands called Abrolhos, a national park in Brazil. It is also a Navy Base that was once used for different training exercises. It is now forbidden to go on land. We anchored near shore and went for a swim! The water temperature was gorgeous as well as the scenery around us.

Abrolhos National Park

After arriving in Salvador last night we docked at Bahia Marina, where we are resting for a few days. Yesterday we took a walk through town to pick up a few supplies. Dad bought new fishing line and a lure so we can start catching fresh fish for dinner! Later in the evening we went back into town for dinner. We had delicious moqueca, which is a Brazilian seafood stew, made with onions, vegetables, white fish and shrimp.

Salvador, Brazil

After a good nights rest last night, we are spending today cleaning and getting ready for the next trip up the coast to Natal, Brazil. I took a trip up the mast in the bosun chair today and got a few pictures from 62 feet! It was a pretty cool view of the marina and surrounding area. We have had a local Brazilian gentleman who is very knowledgable about the Brazilian coast with many years of sailing experience on board with us, he will continue to Natal with us then return home. He is full of interesting facts about Brazil and the trip we have taken so far.

 February 8, 2013

Good morning!

As Gord continues working away getting the boat ready for our departure tomorrow, he has put me on the task of updating the blog. I (Laura, Gord’s daughter) returned to Rio de Janeiro with him on February 5^th.  A little message from Gord: he apologizes for the not keeping the blog updated since we left Rio to return home to Canada on November 15^th to look after Debbie’s health issues. Debbie has remained in Canada for the time being to rest and will meet back up with Gord and Bella Luna in Grenada once she fully recovers. I was fortunate that I was able to return to Rio to sail north to Grenada this month aboard Bella Luna!

Dad and I left Toronto International on February 3^rd, but after a delay in Toronto, we missed our connecting flight to Rio through Charlotte, North Carolina. After a less than mediocre nights sleep in a nearby hotel (I blame that mostly on dad and the trumpet sounds that were coming from his nose in the next bed, yet he denies it) we were up early for breakfast and spent the day touring downtown Charlotte. Later that evening we headed back to the airport and were finally off to Rio. After a last attempt to be upgraded to first class, which was unsuccessful, we settled in for nine hours of flying. Both of us got very little sleep, but we arrived safe and sound in Rio to hot weather! I hope that you all back in Orillia (and area) are able to shovel yourself out after the big storm I hear is coming your way. Just before we left it was – 30 Celsius and the thermometer right now says + 40! Wow its hot, Dad has lost 10 pounds just thinking about all the work that needs to be done in this hot weather! We will be here soaking up the sun, thinking of you!

View out our front window in Orillia

Beach in Brazil

Dad and I spent Tuesday recovering from 2 days of travel, napped and full of food we were ready to get back to Bella Luna. We have now spent the last 2 days preparing for our journey North to the Caribbean. Shortly, we are heading to the grocery store to stock up on food for the first week of our trip. I will be spending the rest of the day in the kitchen preparing easy meals for us to have en route. Our first anticipated stop will be in Salvador, Brazil where we can refuel, restock our provisions and rest for the night. We have found a local gentleman from Rio, named Edison, who has asked to join us for our sail, so he will be our third crewmember as we sail up the coast of South America. 
We leave leave Saturday morning at 0600 hours and will likely be at sea for about 14 days.  Maybe a stop or two depending on the weather.  Edison will depart us in Natal, Brazil and we pick up another crew for the sail to Grenada.  More about her on the next blog.