We reluctantly left Bonaire Sunday morning, January 15 after an incredible two weeks of snorkeling, diving and ice cream - home made gelato. It was a 21-hour sail going along the south, then west side of Curacao until finally rounding the northern tip of Aruba. We anchored a bit offshore, flying our yellow Q-flag indicating that we had not checked into the country. Our intent was to stay one night and be on our way to Cabo de Vela the next morning. Our friends on Nomads, Kate and James, arrived in the late afternoon from Curacao and we promptly picked them up by dinghy for a happy hour on our boat. By this time I had reviewed wind forecasts and decided we would stay an additional day to allow the winds and seas to calm a bit more before navigating around the Cape on the north coast of Colombia. Not allowed to go to shore because we did not clear in (customs and immigration), we worked around the boat and rested in preparation for our next overnight to Cabo de Vela.

Wednesday morning we departed with Nomads on an uneventful 30-hour sail. I feel like we are getting better at the longer sails, I dread them less, but it still messes with your sleep patterns so much I end up being awake for stretches in the middle of the night for the next week. We anchored off what can barely be described as a town, more like a conglomeration of lean-to's and shacks. Nomads picked us up and we spent the next few hours walking the one long dirt road and picking a spot for dinner. The three of us had a great dinner (fish or shrimp) with multiple beers and juice for under $30. We were starting to think Colombia may work out to be a pretty good place.

A strangely desolate but beautiful place. A single dirt road lined with hostels and restaurants where you can get a covered hammock on the beach for 7,500 pesos ($2.50) a night. There is also a very active kite boarding school.

Andres was taking us to Minca (a small resort town up in the mountains) for the day, but first we stopped by his uncle's house. The next few pictures are of some animals he fosters for rehabilitation. It was like a little zoo in his courtyard!

We loved Bonaire! Just as everyone ahead of us told us we would. The town, the people, the other cruisers, the water. The water, the water, and everything under the water. This is known as a diver's paradise and we were not disappointed. 

We had our first medical mishap this morning when Kaylee hit the deck with her chin while doing some exercises and stretching (the stretch was my idea and led to the fall, so I will claim fault). She was a trooper and walked to the hospital holding ice to the wound to get three stitches.

Now it is time to move on. We could easily stay here months as many here do, but the weather, winds and waves are giving us a great opportunity to get around the cape over to Columbia. If our plans hold . . . I always say that because I feel like as soon as I say it or type it, it will change . . . we will sail for Aruba tomorrow then on to Columbia Tuesday through Thursday or Friday, depending on if we stop on the way.

We are now in Bonaire after a 74-hour crossing from Bequia, SVG (St. Vincent and the Grenadines). We picked up an extra crew member, Christopher, in Bequia and headed out Thursday, Dec 29 around noon. Having the additional adult is a life saver for getting through the overnight watches. Other than being long and fairly rolly with the wind and waves behind us, it was an uneventful passage - thankfully! I used a patch and Kaylee took pills for the motion and we both did great. With 20 knots behind us, the boat flew along at 6-7 knots, so we made great time covering over 400 miles. Bonaire is beautiful and the diving paradise described everywhere. We are on a mooring where we can snorkel and dive right off the back of the boat!