Barahona

The weather forecast did not let us stall and after a nights rest and some advice from a local fisherman we left with Frideborg, heading for Canal de Beata.

According to most sailors it is very dangerous to go against the wind thru Canal de Beata (shallow canal between mainland and Isla Beata), but according to a local that we spoke to it is fine if you cross it before 8 o’clock the morning, when the wind starts picking up.

The alternative is around Isla Beata with winds 25-30 knots constant and huge seas!

We went thru the canal with no problems but encountered big standing waves and strong adverse current once out of the channel!

Once again we spend the day and night fighting wind and seas to arrive early morning at Barahona. Our buddy boat Frideborg had enough energy to keep on and headed for Salinas.

At Barahona the immigration, customs and criminal coast guard was waiting to rob us.

We checked in and were robbed by the coast guard who demanded U$ 40.

We tried to argue that there is not suppose to be a charge for coast guard but when the customs and immigration guys also agreed with the Coast guard we paid, only to confirm later that this was illegal!

Braai !

Jaco with Roberto at the club

Barahona is a nice enough place and we met Jens, Olav and Natalie of S/V Capt. Torrie.

Club Nautical de Manati was nice and Roberto the manager very helpful.

Thank you Olaf for lending your bike for a day trip to the water falls.

 We had a few braais and even went swimming in freshwater pools with Jens as guide.

As we were leaving we realised the shear pin on the propeller shaft is broken and had to replace it in record time with a monstrous ship bearing down on us!