Trip with Marieta and Andries.

 Our Good friends Marieta and Andries (from South Africa/Namibia) arrived at Puerto La Cruz late night on Saturday, 13 August for 12 days.

We kicked off on Sunday with a Chilean sparkling wine, Valdeviesio, and bacon & egg breakfast where-after we visited Plaza Mayor on the rubber duck via the waterways in the El Morro development. The evening we strolled along Paseo Colon enjoying the colourfull summer holiday street market.

On Monday at 11am after a quick visit to the fruit market we left for Mochima.

We had a perfect window to reach Porlamar, Isla Margarita, and decided to have supper at Mochima …. Puerto Vejo of cause!, then head overnight for Porlamar. We spend one day at Porlamar then one day at Juan Griego. Here we decided to head for Isla Tortuga.With only 8 days left there would not be enough time to visit Isla Blanquilla. 

Marieta & Andries and "Cuba Libre"

Hurricane Irene was at the Bahamas and causing very little wind in this area, we motor sailed the 80Nm. We caught 5 fishes on the way, but landed 4 of which 2 we actually ate!

One small tuna which we used on the lures,

one Dorado which we lost at the boat,

one 5kg Mahi-Mahi which we ate,

one small Barracuda which we landed, but came loose when hanging for bleeding!

one 7kg Barracuda which we also ate.

We ate like kings the next few days with a variety of seafood on the menu: starters of Mahi-mahi sashimi and cevich, conch then for main course Mahi-Mahi BBQ, Barracuda stir-fry ala Andries, Smoked Barracuda and mixed fish-lime & rum in foil.

We anchored at Cayo Herradura on the northwest side of Tortuga. Here Marieta and Andries pitched a tent next to the Namibian shack where they slept.

The next few days was spend snorkelling, reading, cooking and lazing in the Caribbean waters with the dive buddy.

It is Venezuelan summer holidays and Cayo Herradura were very popular on Saturday evening with about 30 motor yachts, 6 sail yachts and a helicopter day visit. (who parked at our Namibian shack)

The last night we anchored at Los Palanquinos on the North side of Tortuga, just 3Nm from Cayo Herradura. We left at 4am for mainland as close as possible to Puerto La Cruz. Hurricane Irene once more had a huge effect on us, but this time we had to motor sail against 20knt of South to South east wind and waves. After midday the wind calmed down a bit, but about 20Nm from mainland we faced a very strong rainstorm with about 30knt wind. We changed direction and motor/sail to Mochima. This is a save approach and we know the anchorage to enter it at night. At 9pm we set anchor and Marieta served a well appreciated beef stir-fry to 3 very tired sailors! 

last day calm waters just outside Mochima

thirsty Andries enjoing a rum and beer.

The last 25 Nm to Puerto la Cruz from Mochima started with no wind, but soon the wind picked up and again in our face. At least we were between the islands and had only small chops against us. At 2pm very tired and thirsty we were tied up on the pier at TMO.
Clean, shaven and relaxed we enjoyed a cold glass of wine & small bite at the marina restaurant before they left the following morning for Germany.

"blinkgewas stap hul af dorp toe"