Last words from Aruba

If all works out, my next message should be from Curacao.  Having been anchored here for a few day, I realize how different the experience is from being in a marina.  First of, it is much more quiet, barely can hear the noise from the beach front bars.  Only when a big plane arrives at the airport, it is a lot of noise.  You also get to meet more cruisers, yesterday I visited with Patrick, a French guy who is on a 40 year old wooden boat [Lutine], 9 meters long.  He sailed it from France to Martinique, non-stop, 42 days.  Quite impressive.  His boat has just the bare essentials, makes me realize that I still live in relative luxury.  He has been manually fixing his main sail, just so it will be good enough to sail to Curacao, where he hopes to find a new/other one.

This morning I put another zinc anode on the propeller, the old one had completely disappeared (the only thing left was the bolt).  There must have been a stray current in the marina in Oranjestad, last time I checked must have been in Ocho Rios, Jamaica (say a month ago), and I am pretty sure there was still something left back then.  Anyway, this time I had gone to the hardware store, and found the right bolt (one with an allen wrench  slot) so I could mount it properly.  Unfortunately this was my only spare zinc (did not expect it to go within 4 months), so need to go shopping for one.

The kayak is working out well, even in the windy anchorage here.  Starting to get a little more confident in the rowing, and the last few times I was brave enough to go in full clothing (well… for the Caribbean: shoes, shorts and shirt) instead of just swimming gear.  The waterproof backpack that Maria had brought to Cuba is now coming in very handy (attempting to not baptize another computer).

On the mailing list of my old cycling team (Memphis Motor Works/CARVE) I asked is anyone had a 9 speed Ultegra shifter, and sure enough, Matt Espey has one.  We are still working on the logistics, but it would be a life saver if it works out.  Even asking him to include some inner tubes (long stem) while we are at it.  Probably will have it meet me in Trinidad, if all works out.

Have been reading some things about the safety in Venezuela, not always encouraging.  What is one going to do when 3 guys board your boat with 2 pistols and one automatic weapon?  Just trying to find out where the safe and unsafe places are.

Now that I have good internet access (thanks to Talk of the Town) I am also trying to get some more software on my computer.  For example some aids for celestial navigation, even though I am fully relying on GPS (and have trust in it), I would just like to be a little more familiar with it, it is an old art.