Isla Mujeres, a small island of mainland Cancun, where wearing crash helmets
seems to be the highest of cool and status. Something about this place has
captured us and it has been absolutely lovely to revisit. Especially since
the last week of sailing from Rio Dulce, was rather unpleasant. Strong winds
gusting 40 to 50 kn and downpours I never seen anything like before. At one
point I was hiding in a tiny corner under the spray hood. The last dry spot
in the cockpit, tucked into a bath towel singing out loud Norwegian national
songs to keep my sprits up. It bucketed down for 3 hours non stop. The seas
were grey, the air was grey and I felt pretty greyish myself. After 24 hours
of crap weather, I sort of dreaded being 1st mate, wishing I was in a nice
and cosy kitchen somewhere enjoying freshly made waffles and hot chocolate.
But when the sun breaks through and the seas calm down, life is lovely
onboard!
Arrived Isla Mujeres on Wednesday Nov 21st and have since enjoyed being
moored to the local dock. The waters are crystal clear and the sand lovely
soft and white. The main beach only a few barefoot minutes away. The
Mexicans are charming and we feel very chilled. We have emptied out our very
dirty fuel, cleaned the tank and changed all filters. We are heading for
Cuba as soon as our last parcel with electrical equipment has arrived. We
have been promised today. Ray has been a little worried about the next long
leg to the American Virgin Islands. The Cuban coast is pretty long, and if
something were to go wrong, you are pretty much stuck on your own. Our next
door neighbour, in the pirate ship, turned out to be Dag from Norway, who
has just left Cuba after 7 years of residency. Ray has thoroughly picked his
brains. And, better still. A young, charming man came by, asking if we were
in need of crew! And so it happens that Nimrod is joining Out of India
heading east! Nimrod has been commander in the Israeli navy for the last few
years. Talking of landing on our feets. Again. Welcome onboard Nimrod!
