HOLA ! FROM HISPANIOIA

Buenos tardes from the Dominican Republic !! Persephone is in the Caribbean !! We arrived just as planned.at 9 AM we dropped the sails just outside the entrance to the harbor. The entrance to Luperon is notoriously difficult, threading through the reefs, with two dog leg turns. We negotiated the entrance without a problem (noting that the entrance to Rum Cay is far more difficult) and dropped the anchor at 10 AM. The first thing we noticed about the DR are the mountains. The Bahamas and Caicos are very flat, but the DR has high mountains you can see 15 miles out to sea. Second, is the humidity.you can immediately feel the change in climate from the arid atmosphere of the Bahamas and Caicos to the sultry, humid weather of the DR. The mountains are covered in a deep green fauna of the tropical rainforest reflecting the wetter, more humid environment.
Upon arrival, we had our Easter Sunday Brunch with a couple of Presendentes (the label says it's made with corn grits, so it MUST be a breakfast beer !!) Trudie is taking a nap, and I am puttering around transforming Persephone from sailboat, into raised ranch; as we plan on staying a "while" (whatever that is...just glad to be out of the T + Cs). Must say that Persephone came through the past two journeys is great shape..not a single thing broke, or needs repair (other than ordinary maintenance)..couldn't be happier with the quality Sabre built into this boat. (Also, thanks to Mike and Ian for all their help getting the boat ready to head south)
We are waiting for the customs, immigration, and of course the navy (the NAVY ???) to show up and process the paperwork granting us clearance into the DR. No one seems to know if they are working today. So, we must stay on the boat, flying our yellow Q flag, and wait for the officials to come out and do the paperwork and of course collect the fees. In the DR, representatives of the various agencies actually come out and inspect the boat..polished boots and all. (We haven't had this happen in the Bahamas or T +Cs). Will let you know how that goes...
Later...THE CREW
Bob and Lori....we are anchored in the middle of the bay in front of the yacht club...will certainly be having some libations there, will toast you, Lori, and of course "Pride"...BTW, forgot to mention, the "powers" on St. Croix put moorings all over Christensted Harbor, and have banned anchoring. Of course the local scooped all the moorings up, so there is no place for cruisers to go in the harbor. Additional moorings have been placed off St. Croix Marine, but due to the swell, they are untenable. Cruisers are now forced to bypass STX....Also, the Golden Rail has changed hands....gotten fancier, now serving upscale dinners in the evenings. Why can't STX leave well enough alone ?? First they drive away the cruise ships, and now the cruisers....go figure !! (Got info from northbound cruisers earlier this week) D + T