S2R - Well, We've Come This Far

November 24 2018

S2R = Ocean Cruising Club (OCC) Suzie Too Western Caribbean Rally.  Going forward I will refer to it as S2R. 

Well, We've Come This Far - is our own private theme.  As most couples do, we have little jokes and catch phrases that develop and stick.  We have been searching for a "theme" for this season.  The phrase "Well, we've come this far" kept popping up so why not use that! 

Why a theme at all?  Each day is an adventure but much like our trip to Guyana - Off The Charts, this season has a set route/schedule/goal, the S2R.  To keep things straight, I will labeling posts involving that with the S2R - Well, We've Come This Far. 

We are current anchored in Spaanse Waters Curacao.  We arrive a week ago, sailing back from Bonaire.  We came back just in time for the all imporant S2R info meeting.  It was a good meeting.  Leaders Suzanne and David did a bang up job.  *Did you see what I did there?  Testing out my international slang. A few government officials were there.  As well as the marina manager from Curacao Marine AND the manager of Shelter Bay Marina in Panama flew in to meet with us all.  Impressive!  Exciting as well.

Group one, something 47 boats left on Wednesday, sailing for Aruba.  We are in group two, the smaller group of 18 boats (I think) which is just fine with us.  It also seems to be the more international group.  We are only one of three American boats.  Also fine with us.  We like hanging with cruisers from other countries.  Not only do we learn about whatever country we are visiting, we learn from the cruisers we hang with about their country -traditions, songs, humor, government, culture and so on. 

We have a few more weeks before S2R2 (group two) sails out for Aruba.  In the mean time, we will play tourist here as we have not really explored Curacao from that aspect.  We will do S2R2 (group two.....you're getting this) social things like jams, beach parties and happy hours.  And of course continued boat prep and maintenance.  

Technology Test

This is a simple test of the Blogger app.  I am going to try using it so I can do posts on a more timely bases. 

Curacao Marine - Out of the Hurricane Zone

September 18 2018

Secure Customs yard

It is hot.  The good thing about hurricane holes is that they are usually hidden away, protected places.  The bad thing about hurricane holes is that they are hidden away, protected places aka little wind, and thus HOTTER than hell.  My phone apps says "89 today but feels like 101."  Yes it does.  Actually more inside the boat.

The maze through the boats

Here we sit at Curacao Marine on the hard at 12.1N and 68.2W - just above Venezuela and most important, out of the hurricane zone/box.  Unlike Trinidad, Curacao is primarily dry.  We did have a down pour the other night but that is it, otherwise it has been very dry.   Great for getting boat projects completed.  If you will remember, our past four hurricane seasons we put sv Honey Ryder in Trinidad for safe keeping.  But it rained nearly everyday and sometimes multiple times in Trinidad.  Not so great for boat projects.

I love that they paved around this palm

Anyway, I thought I would give you a tour of Curacao Marine.

One of the hire cars

We are in the work yard.  There is also a secure customs yard.  No one is allowed, not even us, once you boat is locked away in there.  It's a Customs thing.  That is where sv Honey Ryder was while we were away.  Even though we are out of the hurricane zone, the boats are still strapped down.  There is some question as to when this took place (recent) but they are strapped down.

Our lane - hey, whose big finger?

The work yard is gravel (a pretty white/pinkish color) with asphalt lanes.  This is nice because it cuts down on the dirt and dust and means no muck when it does rain.  Clean yard too.  Not a bunch of scraps and trash laying about. 

Gravel yard

The bathrooms are very nice.  Air conditioned, and clean with three showers with.....wait for it.....running water.....on demand.  *Coral Cove in Trinidad had major water issues as in NO water at times.  Nothing worse after a long, hot day of boat work than to turn on the water to nothing!  Argh!  And Curacao Marine has hot water.  I know it sound weird to want hot, well actually warm water when it is so hot outside.  But, after a long day of boat work, sometimes you need warm water to help your muscles relax and really scrub you clean.  Anyway.....nice bathrooms!  BTW - the yard has running water on demand as well.  *See the above.    

Tiki hut

Fire pit area - I am not sure how many fires get lit but it is a nice place to chill in the evening

There is also a nice community tiki hut area with fire pit (not sure how much this gets used), modern grill, couch and loveseat, bar tops and stools, two pop machines - including one that dispenses beer, a bar and stools and a community freezer.  The last item is really great while living on the hard.  We can store meats and chilly treats in there or quickly cool down drinks.

Tiki hut

Tiki hut

They have rental cars for hire.  One drawback is that we are tucked away from anything like a restaurant, grocery store or marine store.  However, one local grocery store sends a bus (mini van) each morning to the marina (except Sunday) at 9:30 am to take cruisers to the store for shopping.  It is next to the Budget Marine and ATM's so that works out well.  The other disadvantage is that there is no laundry on site at the marina but arrangements can be made to drop off laundry.

sv Honey Ryder strapped down

So this is home for a bit.

Stairs to the palace.  HA!  Yes, those are our dishes from breakfast

*Sorry, I can't seem to figure out how to put the accent under the second C in Curacao.  If anyone knows, please let me know.  I did Google it but the directions didn't work, or I didn't try very hard, or I didn't understand the directions or I don't really care enough to try harder.  Or all of the above.