Day hopping to Cayo Largo

We spent the next four days sailing during the day, anchoring somewhere in the ocean at night in order to reach out immigration check point, Cayo Largo. The day sails were much much more pleasant than the journey from Honduras. Mainly because we were never quite as far off from land so were some what protected to the open seas a little bit. We cruised around Isla de Juventud stopping two more nights. One of those days was through an amazingly clear bright turquiose channel where I learned how to set up the sails. I think... for the most part I have an idea about which direction they go in, and a slight idea about how to set them up... but would just need a lot more practice to execute it myself. I learned how to steer which is a lot harder then I thought because the changes be such a little tiny turn on the wheel but a huge change in direction. I also learned how to pull up and drop the anchor, and lots of cool things Patric taught me about the boat. Some of the awesome meals Patric and Nicole made on the boat were pizza, pasta, fajitas, potatoes and sausages. We ate really yummy stuff, and it was such a nice change from all the rice and beans in other countries I had. We usually made a big hearty breakfast with eggs and bacon and then some snacks/ whatever on our own for lunch, and then dinner.  I was the dish washer queen. Patric and Nicole already had a good set of things they liked cooking and I didn't want to make something they didn't like.. Since I eat literally everything.. If it's old, bad, gross combo... I don't care as long as there is no mold, I eat it.. I think I got this from my dad.

When we finally arrived in Cayo Largo, we called the marina on the radio to let them know we were coming when we were just outside. They answered immediately and asked how many people were on board, our nationalities, and then immediately met us on the dock to help us get all checked in. The dock captain was soo friendly and spoke perfect English, and apparently like five other languages. He apologized for not being the first one to greet us because he was helping the owner of Google fill up his mega yacht before departing. Immediately they took all three of our passports and walked off into an office while we were still stuck on the boat.. people taking my passport gives me high levels of anxiety... A passport is like your life line while traveling.. especially in Cuba where there is no American embassy! Meanwhile we had our temperature taken, and a while later... maybe 45 minutes they returned with our passports. Talked about the rules, and such of the marina, and were so lovely. They said that tomorrow morning an agricultural inspector would come and we had to visit the bank to pay our visa fees, then we were cleared to finally step on land. I definitely had a little bit of a dance party after stepping off the boat for the first time. It felt really strange. I was surprised that I didn't really have that bad of sea legs.. Just felt like I was swaying a few times. Strangely, while going to the bathroom was the weirdest because I usually would brace myself like we had to on the boat.. But a flushing toilet again was soo great. As was a real shower.. well real.. I mean flowing water, not like a hose drip from the solar shower. Although I did really enjoy bathing in the sea on two of our anchor spots. Patric had this cool shampoo/soap that was foaming in salt water. The next morning during the agricultural inspection they were very curious at looking at all of the food items. Mostly just asked some questions. We technically were not supposed to bring any food, however the guys offered it we paid them each 10 dollars they would write it on our forms that we did not have any food from other countries. As long as we ate it all, we were good to go. Seeing as we had lots and lots of meat, eggs, and other things in the fridge, freezer, and boat, of course we agreed.  So after a total of 8 days and four nights sailing, we were finally allowed to step on land whenever we wanted! We had a little celebration beer together and then I tried the infamous Cuban pizzas I heard about from several people.  More about Cuban pizzas later :)



Sailing with Southern Mist