Sunday 21 Feb 2010 Caya Levisa Cuba
The EJ's Voyage
Mike Everton-Jones
Sun 21 Feb 2010 21:06
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After a few hic ups we finally made it to Caya
Levisa, North West coast of Cuba.
Our intended departure from Marina Hemingway on
Friday was delayed due to some engine problems experienced by our Canadian
friends and also the weather was not great. So the yachties from the marina
gathered at the Yacht Club for the traditional Friday BBQ. We all had a good
time.
SO Saturday morning we all got up early and got
ready to get on our way. And guess what: our engine wouldn't start! After a lot
of searching for the fault and with the help of a Australian yachtie we finally
got it started by 13:00. Air lock in the fuel pump. Then we had to go through
the rigmarole of the customs formalities. Sniffer dog onboard again etc etc. It
went fairly quick though considering as we left Marina Hemingway at about 14:00.
Beautiful weather, gentle breeze, we motorsailed the 35nm to Bahia Honda where
we were to meet up with the Canadians and also another couple from New Zealand
on their 60ft sailboat. As we were entering Bahia Honda the engine started
hunting and then promptly stopped. By that time it was already 19:00 so getting
dark. The wind had picked up a little so we sailed off to sea where it was safer
to be and we both went down the engine room and started bleeding the engine
again. Took us a while but Mike got the engine started with a big shout of
Hurrah!
Back to Bahia Honda in the pitch dark we managed to
find our way through the unlit buoys to the anchorage where the 2 other boats
were waiting for us. Very shallow bay, went aground a bit but anchored safely
for the night. Just had soup, a glass of wine and went to bed.
Got up early this morning again and were relieved
that the engine started first time! we lifted the anchor with some
difficulties because the anchor chain got blocked in the anchor chain locker and
caused a pile up, and went a half a mile up the bay in front La Guardia building
(or rather shack), dropped the anchor and waited for the custom to come onboard
to check us in and out of Bahia Honda. Same classic procedures of filling the
same documents, searching the boat... Except that here the poor guy was alone
and has to row in a wooden little barque from the shore to the boats with his
documents inside his kaki overall. So he comes on board, opens the front of his
overall, remove the papers, sit down, fills them in and does the same procedure
in the reverse when he leaves. Quite funny really!
Gentle sail again today on a broad reach, some
motor sailing as well when the wind dropped and 29nm later we arrived in Cayo
Levisa making progress on our way West to the North point of Cuba before going
South along the South Coast. Beautiful bay, very shallow turquoise water with
lots of coral. We went aground for a few minutes but ploughed through. We are
now safely (we hope!) anchored. We have put the dinghy in the water and will
have a party tonight with the Canadians and New Zealanders.
Unfortunately our fridge and freezer have decided
not to work anymore so I am a little concerned for all our frozen food. We are
getting our backup "beer" fridge bought in Las Palmas down to freezing
temperature to save some of it. Let's hope it will work. We have no hope to get
the fridge freezer going until we get to the Caymans.
It is quite hot today but clouds are coming from
the South. Another front is approaching.
So we are well even if a little frustrated with all
our hic ups. Nobody said that reitred sailing life had to be easy!
More news later
Hope you are well
Love
Catherine and Mike
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