Anguilla

Monday, January 23, 2017
Good evening!

As promised, here are a few pics of our passage and arrival to Anguilla:

Leaving Bermuda: Waving goodbye to Natalie and Chica on Rogue

Saying goodbye to Idarae and Richard on Molto Bene

Bagel and egg breakfast sandwiches during the passage

The fishing begins

First fish (barracuda) and subject for marine biology lesson  

Second fish: tuna (we think)

Origami Girl at sea

Study time

Crazy Hair Day (or Brushing-Out-the-Braids-and-Matted Hair Day)

Another Canadian flag shredded (that's number two!)

Land ho!

Stepping on land -- wobbly!

Checking in at Customs/Immigration

Road Bay, Anguilla

Since our arrival Friday night, we have been settling into Caribbean life. (It really isn't too hard.) We are anchored with dozens of other sailboats from many different places including several other Canadian boats. The water is turquoise blue and we can jump off the boat and swim!


When John and I landed here in 2001 (after being 22 days at sea from Halifax), we wobbled ashore and ate our first Caribbean meal at Johnno's, a beachside restaurant and bar. I have been thinking about that chicken and ribs meal for years.  The place was still there and looked exactly the same. We decided to start a tradition and join Johnno for lunch.We all ordered the chicken and ribs and the kids got to try Ting, a grapefruit soda for the first time.

Lunch at Johnno's

When we checked in with Customs Saturday morning, we met a family  from the US Virgin Islands who recently started cruising.  The kids were eager to invite their ten-year-old daughter Melea over to play. Yesterday morning, they rowed the dinghy over to her boat, So Blessed and invited her over. The kids spent the morning doing crafts with Melea, and later played on the beach together while the frigate birds dove for fish beside them. They collected sea treasures and built sand castles, while reggae beats filled the air. Our day ended with the kids returning to our boat to create more art. John and I got to know her parents Shara and Jeff, and hear about adventures on So Blessed.

Beach girl

Wavey (and Shara) after collecting one of her treasures from the sea (fish head)

Simon swimming with Nahanni V somewhere in the distance

Beach boy

Simon, Melea, and Wavey playing in the sun set

We are planning on being here for a few more days before heading off to St. Martin. We plan to visit some of the cays in the Marine Park here to do some snorkelling. We likely won't visit much more of the island, as there are no buses and taxis are a little pricey. There are no grocery stores within walking distance and we will have to wait until St. Martin to provision. We have almost run out of fresh food, and even the can locker is getting a tad empty. I am being creative with putting together meals with what we have left. So far, no one is complaining.

Since we arrived in the Caribbean, I have repeatedly asked my family to pinch me. It feels a little surreal that we have come this far after years of preparation and planning.  I am grateful for where we are now, and to all those who have helped us get this far. Thank you.