Position 12:47:56N 44:58:97E
Intsomi
Sun 13 Jul 2008 08:59
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12 JULY 2008
Aden
We had an eventful trip from
Ras Al Arah to Ras
Imran. For most of the day we were riding a sea breeze nicely but in the
late afternoon dark clouds built up onshore and within minutes we were hit
by 30 to 40 knot winds and the rather shallow sea became quite rough.
Getting our sails down was quite an effort but we managed and then turned
on the diesel donkey to try and make some headway towards Ras Imran. The
boats would only make about 2 knots even though we were going across the wind
not into it. Fortunately, after about an hour things started to ease up
and we finally made it to Ras Imran in the dark at about 1900. Phew!
To cap it all, Intsomi had a visit in the night from a rather excited bunch of
Yemeni Coast Guards in a really fancy boat that looked like something from
Thunderbirds. There followed the most amazing exchange on the radio with
Aden Port Control, about us not being allowed there, but sense prevailed and we
stayed put.
Today we had a rather rolly time motoring the 20 miles
from Ras Imran to Aden but are now nicely anchored in the harbour here.
Aden is scruffy but rather appealing. the whole place is built round a
series of extinct (we hope) volcanoes.
This is the pier we use. Its called the Prince of
Whales pier. on the skyline middle left is a tower clock which is like a mini
Big Ben - a legacy of the British occupation.
We plan to be in Aden at least a week and to visit the
capital of Yemen, San'a, for a few days during that time. San'a is very
appealing right now as it is up in the hills and much cooler and less humid than
Aden. We are absolutely melting here at times, particularly if there is no
breeze but at least its not as hot as Suakin or Massawa (we keep telling
ourselves as we wipe away the sweat).
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