Isla Palanquinos

Wind Shear arrived on a weekend and so did a few more boats but coming Monday we were all alone again. Wind Shear who sat in the Redonda Marina for over six months working hard on the boat, are just as happy to be here and are finally relaxing. Captain Jack was especially excited when we finally went ashore to explore the beautiful beach. He's a pretty short guy but outran us all. The swells in the mean time have subsided and made it for a very pleasant walk, except for speedy Jack. At the end of the beach we all put our crocks back on, except for Jack, yes Jack's special, and hiked across the sharp coral rocks which are all black like the sun had burned them all. We were following the cliff and watched as the water turned from blue shades into all kind of green shades and then we noticed hundreds of big size chitons sticking to the rocks On our way back we harvested some and cocked them up as soon as we got back to the boats. The same day I noticed the local fishermen, called them over and ordered some lobster for Wind Shear. Captain Jack and especially Debi couldn't wait to get their teeth into some lobster. Two days later the boys came back with 5 lobsters of almost 8 kilos total, 5 nice red snappers, three for Wind Shear 2 for Paradise which will be fried up in butter and garlic, yummy. The crew of Wind Shear has never cleaned any lobster so I went over to their boat and taught them how. It was too funny when Debi tried first. Her arms weren't long enough to stay away from the spiny, still moving lobster and I think her screams could be heard on the other side of the island. Rob took to it like pro and Captain Jack as always let his crew do the dirty work. Most people toss the head and legs of a lobster overboard not realizing what a good meal they can make. So later on that day Captain Jack invited us over for cocktail and lobster legs Debi had prepared for us, what a treat. We were so full that our dinners were postponed for the following evening. Here is what I do with the head (by the way it works for shrimp the same): I place them on a baking sheet, bake at 400 for 40 minutes, place into a big soup pot or pressure cooker and make the most wonderful stock. The stock then can be frozen for later use. I freeze the stock in packages of 1 ½ cups each to that when I cook rice I bring broth to boil and add one cup of rice to it, cover and simmer over very low heat for 20 minutes, remove from heat and let steam for 10 minutes. Just before serving I add some fresh Parmesan to it and voila the best Risotto you have ever tasted. Captain Jack was happy I taught his crew well so now he's all set with more gourmet dinners onboard his ship, boy he sure rules his boat.

We spent one more day and showed Captain Jack and Debi the mile for mile long beach with all the trash. I forgot to add that this breach is on the windward side so all the trash from Puerto La Cruz area will get stuck here. I was really amazed as I saw the 60 foot tree trunk including roots 180 degrees turned around on the beach, wow.
Rob staid behind doing some chores, Captain Jack really runs a tight ship. We ended the stay with another fun Boccha Ball game on the beach, which Rob again won then watched the sun disappear on the horizon before heading back to our boats, having dinner and settle in for the night.

At 10:30 am the anchors were lifted and Wind Shear with Paradise left Paradise for another yet even prettier one. The northern shore of Tortuga is surrounded by some rocky cliffs between pristine white beaches as we motored along the coast. It was only a little over 7 miles to Los Palanquinos which is a mile beyond Punta Ranchos an offshore reef with a few rocks sticking out. We're tucked in behind this beautiful reef which is painted with all the blue colors imaginable which reach to the fairly close white sandy beach. I'm sure we'll have some re-matches of Boccha Ball games, can't have Rob win all the time, now can we?!
Not even anchored 30 minutes a fishing boat came by an offered us lobster. Debi jumped on it like hot cakes and Rob and Captain Jack are drooling already.