“23:05.399N 82:29.864W”

 

Crossing the Florida Straits from Key West to the Marina Hemmingway in Havana was a fast ride made exciting by 20 knots of wind on the beam and a short sea that built up steeply over the fast moving Gulf Stream.   After the 90 odd mile crossing we approached the Marina warmly greeted by the harbour master on the radio with the news that we first boat to arrive in 2016.

 

We had been warned that the clearance procedures were painfully drawn but we were pleased that the visits to Moonstone by the doctor, immigration/police, customs, environmental health and electricians all went pretty smoothly and there was only one request for a “present”. 

 

Annoyingly our satphone was sealed in a bag by the customs chap so that it cannot be used whilst we are here.  None of our mobile phones work except Vodafone and then the charges are 30% more than Iridium!

 

We have now started to settle in for a shortish stay by covering the decks with awnings to keep us cooler in the blinding sun.......there also has been time to have a beer and a nap and it is time to find our way around.