We sailed south to clear the BVI's & USVI's and then turned west towards Puerto Rico and DR where we were joined by a large pod of Atlantic spotted dolphins for an hour, to cheer us on our way. For the next 48 hours we had winds variable in strength and direction and rather than attempt to enter Zar Par in the dark we anchored off Isla Catalina in glorious solitude - just right after being in a marina for what seemed yonks. Next morning up bright and early but the wind had gone so we have a gentle motor sail to Zar Par where we were met by Paco in the marina rib who guided us through the shallow channel  (wise decision not to do it at night). In a very short time we were tied up in the next berth to Vulcan Spirit and prepared ourselves for the checking in procedure.

DR has a reputation for difficulties with officialdom for cruisers but for us it was very straightforward and no hints of any bribery. Soon after our arrival we were boarded by immigration, drug intelligence and customs officers plus assistants. All very polite and welcoming but didn't take their boots off. After a bit of form filling and a seven up they searched Maymio - with a certain amount of curiosity they shook our hands and left us to tidy up after them!

Our main reason for coming to DR was to visit the American consulate to get B1/B2 visas, but actually it is a fantastic place and worthy for being on the cruiser circuit. It is a real Hispanic country and gone are the tourist commercialism of the rest of the islands east of us. Very much an American influence and a strong GDP, the best in the Caribbean. 

It was great to have Richard & Ali here before us because they paved the way for getting about and organising work . We got straight onto Marcus the American yard engineer to build us a tower and install our new wind generator because he was so busy he said it would take a week which fits into our departure, unfortunately, as I write on Friday afternoon, we still have no wind gene but promises of working into the night. We wait and see.

Going back to our visa interviews, we managed to get through the process in an hour, with no real interview apart from a quick chat to the supervisor from behind his window. I think he was a bit embarrassed putting us through the cattle market process and promised us the visas the next day. Jen & Ali duly arrived back the following afternoon to find Ali's passport had gone missing. This oversight was recovered the next day to all of our delight but another 3 hour round bus trip was needed to complete our visa application.

Boca Chica is a seaside town close to the Zar Par marina and within walking distance along the beach. Small, lively, noisy and with all the trappings of a tourist hot spot - including ladies of the night!

Santo Domingo is well worth a visit, taxi's a bit clapped out but brilliant bus service. The city is the oldest in the new world and well preserved and much cleaner than the rest of the capital. 

Photos

Trekking in DR

On the bus to Santo Domingo

10.2 on the beam - perfect.

Barracuda for lunch

Men at work

The wind gene waiting for action

A policeman getting his shoes cleaned in Boca Chica.