In Aruba!

Quick update, more on the trip later.

Arrived in Oranjestad yesterday morning.  After a long night of motoring for the last 37 miles (necessary after the roller furling gear jammed [the cart that goes up the rail to pull up the sail is blocked about 3 meters up the rail]). Was a long night, then in Oranjestad I was dog tired and made one stupid mistake after the other.  Struggled to anchor, then pulled my dinghy up the beach, went to see customs (but I went to the wrong place), went to have something to eat and drink, and came back to find my dinghy gone.  I must have floated away (I had pulled it quite far up the beach, I thought, but not so).  So, now I am screwed, no dinghy means mooring fees.  Went to the immigration and customs this morning, which was still the wrong place, it was the dock for the big boats, one of those high concrete walls (overhanging) with truck tires.  It is really windy here, and it was choppy, and while I was filling in the paper work the boat came up under the overhanging concrete, cracking the cap rail over a length of a meter (like I did not have enough repairs).  So, I am in a struggle right now, mostly with myself.

Anyway, I am now docked at the Renaissance Resort Marina, it is pricy (though, compared to the US it is not too bad).  I need to mentally regroup and get going on boat repairs. Trying to take it easy.

Also found out that I screwed up in using the wrong bank card, costing me $10 transaction fees for every ATM withdrawal.  That sure does not help the mood.

Either way, Aruba is nice, it is fun to talk Dutch, people are nice and it is relaxed.  Lot more upscale than the places I have been for the last 2 months.