Adios to Luperon...

We spoke with Chris (our weather router) this morning and got the green light to start our journey east to Puerto Rico. We were not able to leave Luperon until 11 AM, as we had to wait for our clearance papers. Seems that the Commandante and his men had a tough weekend, and didn't show up for work on time. (The office is supposed to open at 8 AM). We had two officials, including one in full uniform (yes, polished boots and all) come out to inspect the boat; apparently checking for Haitians. Luperon is only 40+/- miles from the border with Haiti; and smuggling people out has become a lucrative cottage industry. No thanks, I can't imagine spending years in a jail in the D.R. !! We will very much miss the beauty and the people of the D.R. I think this has been our favorite stop so far, and THE CREW is eager to return....BUT we have lots of miles to put under the keel before heading back to the D.R.

We have just started our longest leg of the trip to date. Our course will take us along the north coast of the D.R., across the dreaded Mona Passage (the water that separates the D. R. from P. R.) and on to Boqueron, Puerto Rico. The passage is nearly 250 miles, and will take 48 +/- hours (including 2 over nights) Trudie and I have never done two consecutive over nights... so this will be another first. That is why the weather window is SO important for this leg of the trip...We had to wait for the trade winds to subside (actually be suppressed) so we can go east....it would be suicide to attempt to cross the Mona bucking into the prevailing easterlies. One boat left Luperon last week trying to go east without a weather window...after a day of crashing into the trades, he got only 15 miles and had to turn back for Luperon. He damaged his drive train, and now has some major (and expensive) work to have done to his boat. He is thinking about leaving the boat in Luperon and returning after hurricane season (December !!) Simply, his trip is finished, at least for now. So, THE CREW didn't want to repeat that mistake, so we waited for a good wx opportunity.

Will keep you updated on our progress. At 14:50 local time we are at 19 51.34 N 070 32.50 W appx 5 miles east of Puerto Plata, DR.

All is well aboard, motorsailing and watching our fuel consumption....Pray for wind !!

THE CREW