Aves de Sotavento

The mangroves fishing was so much fun we had to go back and to do some more casting practice to get the lures as close under the mangroves without snagging on the roots or leaves. When done so bingo another nice snapper was landed. We caught 4 more mangrove snappers. The hour we thought we were fishing turned into 3 hours and just before sunset we returned to Paradise, but not before heading to our neighbor boat we haven't met yet. Thought it would be nice to meet them this way and bring them a fresh fish. We also explored the nearby white sandy beach and watched many turtles pop up their heads to get fresh air just about 20 to 30 feet from where we were standing. The following morning we put our snorkel and fins on and joined the turtles. Unfortunately it was too murky, never got to see one turtle and the current took us swiftly out to sea so for safety reasons we swam back ashore and headed back to the boat. Mid afternoon we met our neighbor on the beach and burned some trash and enjoyed an ice cold beer he brought along, what a treat we haven't had in a while. The poor stranded fishermen joined us for a short chat when I found out that all they had left was corn flour for Arepas they were living on. Back on the boat I went through my inventory and made a bag full of rations which should get them by for a few days, and it made our day to see their happy faces. Weather had calmed down significantly and it was time to leave this unspoiled Paradise. After the fishermen had picked up their cell phone and Sid had presented them with a Easter present, a bottle of Rum, their faces really lit up. The rum will definitively keep their spirit up, or at least for one evening. The motor sail across to Aves Sotavento was uneventful, 12 knots of wind about 4 foot swells and no tuna or dorado was interested in the lures we had out, except for one booby who kept trying for about 10 minute to land a plastic fish.
Aves de Sotavento lie about ten miles WNW of Barlovento with a few pretty islands with white powdery sand beaches and all protected by the reef. We first anchored between Isla Palmeras and smaller unnamed island and had a very spectacular view through the window of the islands to a deep pool of water which gave way to the inner waters of the reef. The snorkeling on the south side of the smaller island was full with the most colorful tropical fish including huge black parrot fish with cobalt blue heads. Normally parrot fish are very skittish and shy away but not here, some came so close I could have reached my hand out and touched them. One of my favorites are the box fish, not just do they have the cutest faces, the coloring is incredible and they are so curious they come right up to you and follow you wherever you go. A bit later while Sid relaxed and I prepped dinner a northerly swell started rolling in so we put the flopper stoppers out. Over the next few hours the roll got worse and early the next morning we pulled anchor and headed one island up, Curricai, where we set the hook in 10 feet of water of the whitest beach. The beach looks very inviting. We'll be staying a few days here before finally heading to Bonaire.