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Nov. 3, 2005
Angel Falls, Venezuela

We are working on Sorrento in Pto. La Cruz, Venezuela. I just finished sanding and varnishing the teak on the exterior. We pulled down the headliner in the head and are working on replacing that. Just some aesthetics that must be done.

We had an interesting and fantastic inland trip. We had 13 other cruisers on the trip. We rode on a bus for 4 hours to Cuidad Bolivar, were met by our guide who took us for a 2 hour boat ride up the Orinoco River looking for pink dolphins! Then we jumped into a jeep and went to our campsito - ranch style accomodations , very nice. Dave and I went horseback riding. The next day, we got an early flight in a 6 seater aircraft to Canima. There we picked up another boat (carved from a tree) and took a 4.5 hour river ride shooting the rapids. While heading to our campsite, where we would sleep in hammocks, it started pouring. It smelled so great in the jungle. The sound of the pouring rain was very comforting and we slept well.

The next morning we woke early and all our clothes were still wet. We had breakfast and headed on a hike up to Angel Falls, (which is the tallest single falls in the world.- mile long from the cliff to the pool below) where we all had a very cool refreshing plunge. We hiked back (Dave
barefoot the entire hike), and downhill, we got caught in another down pour. Had lunch before we headed back down the river which was running fast from all the rain. It was a great ride!

The next morning, we all went to the Sapo Falls, a beautiful falls that we were able to hike behind. After changing clothes, we went to the airport and got on small planes - Dave in one and I in another. I don´t like splitting up. While we were in the air, my plane stalls!! The pilot, who was reading the newspaper at the time, got it under control. We had run out of fuel in one tank and he had to switch tanks and restart the engine. Gulp! We landed safely! I immediately went to a restaurant and ate a big piece of chocolate cake. When all of us were together , we went to the bus station and took a 4 hour bus ride back to the marina. We slept well back in our air conditioned cozy boat. Now we are getting Sorrento ready to head up to the Virgin Islands. Looking forward to Tortola and Christmas with Laura and Cri.

Nov. 18, 2005
Pto. La Cruz, Venezuela

We have finished lots of little jobs on Sorrento. Even got all our medical checkups. Both the boat and we are in GOOD shape. So now the only thing to do is to head North.

We've been checking the weather.coms and the probability of a departure looks real good for next week Tuesday or Wednesday. We might head straight up to St. Thomas, non stop (4 nights), or make a stop at the duty free island of Margarita (rum and beer). Weather or thirst will determine our route.ha!

Dec. 3, 2005
Guadeloupe, the beautiful butterfly island of the Caribbean

We departed Pto La Cruz Venezuela on Tuesday Nov. 22nd and made great time to Margarita Island off the coast. Stayed there to visit with cruiser friends, have turkey dinner on Thanksgiving and also provision for the next leg of the trip. We departed on Sunday 28 Nov and sailed up the Caribbean island chain.

We weren't sure about the direction of (hurricane) "Gamma", so we decided to stay close to the islands in case we needed to tuck in somewhere.
We did stop at St. Lucia for 10 hrs to catch up on sleep and to watch a DVD. Departed St Lucia at 3 am for Deshaies, the northern anchorage of Guadeloupe.

Our trip was lovely, the night passages with the brillant panoply of stars and meteors were breathtaking. The wind and waves (nice long swells) co-operated nicely. I was able to bake pizzas and cook meals on the stove top without flipping the food onto the boat sole.

Deshaies is a very picturesque little town, tucked in the mountains, very lush and green. Dave's never ending duties of changing engine oil, refilling the stuffing box, tighten the auto pilot and various mini jobs were done here. Then a jump into the dinghy to go to town for french baugettes and camembert cheese. Great for any time of day.

We are scheduled to depart this evening for St Croix. It should be a 40 hour trip, then on to St. Thomas to wait (love that word) for Laura and Cri's Christmas visit. I will send another e-mail once we arrive.

Dec. 4, 2005
St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

Just to let you know we are enjoying a wonderful meal on a pier in St. Croix, U.S.V.I's.
We are happy to say, we had a great cruise up here and will be heading 35 miles north to St. Thomas in a couple of days.

Dec. 9, 2005
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

We are safely and comfortably calling Crown Bay Marina home while we wait for the arrival of Laura and Cri.
Merry Christmas to all!!