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Oct. 23,
Isla Margarita, Venezuela
Hola mis amigos,
We enjoyed our 6 weeks in Trinidad. We met up with old
cruiser friends and made many new friends who we plan to see in
Venezuela. Chris on Destiny, whom we met originally in
D.R., took us to the capitol, Port of Spain. Jeff on Chama
with whom we had Thanksgiving dinner in Belize in 2000.
We met up with our old friend Chris on Colonel's Lady. We crewed
with him from San Diego to Cabo, Mexico in
1997 and have seen him in various ports ever since. We enjoyed
the music at the Steelpan music festival. Took inland tours to
the rainforest and bird santuaries. Went on a boat ride in the
swamplands and saw howler and capucchin monkeys, snakes, blue
macaws, green parrots and many other colorful birds.
I learned to play dominos with other cruisers and we had a weekly
pot luck with the cruisers from our dock. We enjoyed going to
the new movie theather. A local woman makes swim suits, I had
a few made. I'm very pleased with them The local people were very
friendly and thankful for any work we cruisers sent their way.
The food was delicious and rotis (an east indian curry flavored
wrap) were very good.
On October 15th, we set sail for Los Testigos a small
group of islands off the coast of Venezuela. The fishermen
use these islands as fishing camps. It was a good 20 hour sail.
We had the current with us and wind behind us. The seas were calm
and at night we had dolfins swim along side leaving glittery phosphorescent
trails in their wakes. It was amazing to watch them.
After anchoring and a short nap, we went snorkeling, the water
was wonderful. Dave caught 4 lobsters, which we ate for dinner
and breakfast. We hiked to the sand dunes on the east coast and
played in the waves. We also took a hike up the tallest hill 807',
for a panoramic view.
On Wednesday, we departed Los Testigos at 4am and headed
towards Isla Margarita about 50 miles southwest. We had
a beautiful sail again. It's great with winds abeam and current
aft. Half way there we caught a king mackerel, a great eating
fish.
We are anchored in the bay off Porlamar in Isla Margarita.
There are over 50 other cruisers anchored here. Looks like we
are in good company. They've set up bus service to the major supermarkets,
which are huge and well stocked. We found everything we needed
at low prices. The exchange rate is 2400 bolivars to $1.00 US
dolllar on the black market. We will be taking some island tours
soon.
Oct. 25,
We are in Margarita where we will stay for a
few weeks and will look into attending a language school. We are
in the harbor of the city of Porlamar. What a neat place
this is!!
The water is refreshing and it's great to take a morning swim
and afternoon dip.
We find the prices are super here and we can anchor out and avoid
a marina fee that we will have to pay when we go to Puerto
la Cruz, on the mainland. We went through an agent to check
in to the country (quicker and possibly cheaper and saves us running
around the city). You can use Juan at Marina Juan. He usually
greets every new cruiser and is very helpful, he also provides
bus service to town. We used Terry who can be contacted through
Jak's Restaurant. He was very efficient and knowledgeable (an
ex Canadian consulate) and has provided many other services for
us. Jak's Restaurant will send out the water boy, diesel, fill
your propane tanks and offers really great food at super prices.
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Porlamar, the main city, is quite large with numerous high rise buildings. It is a fairly clean city and it was quite something to see when entering the harbor after months of smaller coastal towns. They really cater to cruisers here. A boat comes out with water and diesel and even cases of beer (gotta have the important things in life!) Every day there is a free bus heading to some store or mall or we can take a taxi (about $2.40 r/t) to the various shopping areas. Food prices are cheaper than most other places we have been. The restaurants are very cheap and it is almost wasteful to bother buying and cooking food here -- except we like our own cooking and a movie on board. There are several malls - real, US style, and one of the largest grocery stores in town is quite elegant with a 5 plex movie theater. Movies are in English.
The terrain is flat to mountainous but is much more arid than
Trinidad. Reminds us a little like Las Vegas, with scrub brush
and wash areas. It is a little greener here. They have very little
rain.
The money is Bolivares and the exchange rate is $1 = $2,400 Bs,
or to exchange $100 it is 1/4 million Bs. It is really weird to
go shopping and see things for several thousand Bs. A coffee and
crossiant was 3000 Bs $1.50. Wine is very cheap as is beer ($4/case)
and rum. Margarita is a duty-free island and so most things
are pretty inexpensive -- EXCEPT boat parts.
We plan to cruise to some of the outer-islands before we go
to Puerto la Cruz. We'll put Sorrento on the hard. We need
a new canvas bimini, some carpentry and brightwork done. She needs
a total paint job.
All we need is $$$ !!!
Miss you all, Can't wait to see you in the States.
Nov 5 2004
Isla Cienaga, Venezuela
Here we are anchored in Isla Cienaga, a strangely configured
island with anchorages in deep recesses like fingers on a hand.
We are sitting here having a sundowner and listening to the last
calls of the birds before they settle for the night and yes, thinking
of you. We think we will cruise around Venezuela for some time.
Puerto La Cruz (PLC)
We have now sailed on to Puerto La Cruz (PLC). Time to go below
and cook the dorado we caught today on our pasage. I am also making
rice with steamed oysters. We aquired those at Cubagua
yesterday from a friendly lady with 6 kids. (guess we know what
they do for entertainment). But she was sweet, we gave her leche
and batteries. The children were great. I gave them colored pencils
and paper and learned a new word "dibuhar" (to draw),
and we did all afternoon. They want us to come back. We will.
We are now in P L C at a dock with our ac running and loving
it. Life is good. Miss you all!
Be well, Love Fran and Dave
s/v Sorrento
Marina PMO, Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela
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