Bonaire

We left Aves de Sotavento at 10 in the morning, the wind was blowing about 12 to 15 knots and the swells were quite a bit down but had these confusing square waves pop up here and there, just very unsettled. We motor sailed with jib out at first but the side ways roll from the choppy swells was so uncomfortable we pulled the main up to stabilize the motion and it helped. Sid had one fishing pool set up and was just letting the other one out when we had a bite already, the hook wasn't even in the water for one minute. It was a small black fin tuna but really to small so we let him go. Half way to Bonaire a beautiful Tropic Bird tried unsuccessfully to land on Paradise and a few minutes later I saw a man of war jelly fish float next to the boat. They have this moon shaped body which looks like a blown up balloon which floats sticking out of the water. It's really pretty looking with the purple body surrounded with a bright pink rim. Sid said that's the way they move around sailing on top of the water, really cool. 10 miles off Bonaire some big bottle nose dolphins joined us for a while playing at the bow of Paradise. Two huge cruise ships passed us when we approached the southern tip of Bonaire. Here is where the fun began, the swells subsided as we headed into the lee of the island, the wind was a steady 10-12 knots and filled the spinnaker up nicely, and we sailed around the southern coast and half way up to Kralendjik and finished the last leg in 15 knots with jib and main. The trip was 42 miles and we arrived just before sunset. As we approached the moorings a dinghy headed our way and I recognized the grin immediately. Blake on Slow Mocean had been following our Blog and new that we were coming. He then helped us to get on the mooring, what a nice guy, thanks Blake. After we had settled in we called Randy and Lourae AKA Pizazz. We had met them some 8 years ago in the San Blas Islands and were headed for the South Pacific. We talked them into going up to the Seas of Cortez before heading west, which they did. They then came back to Bonaire built a house and sold Pizazz.. After the call we lowered the dinghy and went ashore to check in. First we had to go to Customs where a very friendly guy greeted us. He was very polite and wished as a wonderful stay while pointing out where our next stop was the police station. Since Immigration was closed the police station will check us in for them. We came prepared with some LAPD stick pins and patches and the two guys working there were very happy to receive them. We talked to one of them for at least an hour and he promised to come and visit us. Then we headed to the dock bar we had our dinghy tide to and enjoyed an ice cold beer and some munchies. At nine the next morning Lourae picked me up and took me shopping, yeah groceries here I come. I was really curious to find out what European goodies I could find here and was not disappointed especially when I found my favorite seasoning Aromat I ran out a long time ago and can only buy in Switzerland and found many other things it was like having Xmas. I think Lourae had more fun watching me finding all the goodies than me finding them. That same evening we had dinner at their house "Villa Blue". Wow, what a house! They designed it themselves with a computer program and really did a heck of a job. It just takes your breath away when you walk through the tall entrance door into the spacey living room with an 18 foot tall wooden ceiling, being able to see every single room as those doors are wide and open and then the wide open sliding door to the patio with infinity pool and a magnificent view over the island. After a tour of the new house we enjoyed a wonderful stuffed salmon dinner and talked up a storm until almost two in the morning. It was really great to finally catch up with the two. The following two days Sid cleaned boat and I did laundry. Ouch and double ouch!!! The first day I had 6 loads of laundry and used 3 driers and the bill came to 50 US dollars, yikes and I had still three more loads to do. Now I think I understand why so many boaters run around naked on their boats! I did some more shopping during laundry and found that the shopping here is a hit or a miss. As everything has to be shipped to the island it's for once a bit more expensive and if you see something you might need better buy it or you will never see it again. I'm still l looking for Ziploc bags as I'm all out, but it is wonderful to have nice and soft toilette paper again LOL. Meat and produce is great, but also when you see it buy it, the dry goods is a bit of a disappointment as many shelves are empty. But I'm sure we'll be here long enough that I be able to find this or that eventually. Been cleaning the boat ever since we arrived but do find time to play as well. Our social life got busy the minute we occupied the mooring almost a culture shock after three months in lonely anchorages but a lot of fun to catch up with everybody. We'll be having a good time here that's for sure.