Oceanic Ventures, Inc.
The Strange Chronicles
May 2001
30 May 2001 With the exception of the aft cabin, the entire boat is torn up. I'm doing a huge interior varnish job since there aren't any 4-year old fingers onboard. Of course, I've got piles of tools, rolled up carpet, sawdust, epoxy and all manner of junk scattered about. Much like the dive shop during the expansion. I've been sanding for a week and have lots more to do. On one hand, I'm ready for Karen and Rebecca to come home. On the other, I'm terrified this project won't get completed in time.
21 May 2001 I'll be staying on the boat at anchorage in Aruba. From time to time I will turn off the computer or put down my book and lovingly lay on another coat of varnish. The galley and Navigation Station are both past the "needs doing" stage. With my four year old helper off visiting grandparents, the job should go smoothly. Just as soon as I get around to it...
I'm way behind on the cruising journal...I know, I know. Surely I'll have time to write something over the next three weeks.
8 May 2001 We're a couple of days out of Aruba and starting to get serious about our upcoming bottom job in Curacao
2 May 2001 We pulled into Port Antonio on the NE coast of Jamaica after long 48 hours offshore. Our initial intention was to fuel up, perhaps grab some fresh veggies from the local market and press on east. However the comfort of a secure port, hot showers, ice cream and an evening at a local restaurant biased our reading of the weather charts and we decided it would be prudent to stay a couple of days.
By noon on the second day we'd stocked up on jerk pork, ginger beer, coffee and the weather forecast looked a lot more attractive. We're doing what every cruiser hopes to avoid - heading into the trade winds and against the tides. The year in Belize, Guatemala and Cuba were very enjoyable but it's time to get down to the ABC's (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) where we're safe from hurricanes and there are boat yards to prepare S/V Enchante' for the Pacific. I'll work on more regular updates and a description of our more recent adventures now that we're in a more politically correct area of the world.