After the trek from Luperon, the relative comfort of the Puerto Bahia de Samana Marina was welcome. A full service resort, this marina offered restaurants, swimming pools, game room and a small grocery. Upon tying up we made our presence know to the local Commandante who shared office space with Immigration and Customs. A young guy dressed in fatigues made it clear that we "owed" no more money to the government however if we appreciated the services provided by this office a propina (tip) was entirely welcome and appropriate. I thanked him and said I would take it into consideration as we enjoy our stay at the marina.
All of the other boats had also made this marina safely. Salicious (as we learned later), however, did anchor in Rio San Juan the first night and then went into the harbor at Santa Barbara (the bay and anchorage next to the marina) where the local Commandantes fleeced them for $20 and $50 respectively. We were able to meet up with them a couple of days later where we got the details of their abuse.
We all were looking at Samana as a layover and plans were quickly being made for a fast departure to Puerto Rico. Weather was not cooperating however, so after a day we made for Parque Nationale de Cuerves, a well known area on the south side of the bay. Some guide books say that this is a "must see". We obtained our appropriate "permission" to travel from the Commandante and sailed the 10 miles across the bay to the park. Symbiosis was a little ahead of us and helped guide us to a good anchorage spot. Yarika and Salacious pulled in a couple of hours after we settled. Utopia came in the next day, all taking advantage of the chance for a new adventure while reducing our daily costs in the marina. Pepper and Vagabond were planning on moving to Punta Cana, about 75 miles southeast for an easier jump to Puerto Rico while Exit Stage Left and Wandering Star decided to brave the marginal conditions and get on with their crossing.
We were rewarded with a wonderful anchorage, well protected and with some of the most interesting cliffs and rock outcroppings that fell directly into the bay. We all commented that the area looked like pictures we had seen of some of the areas in Thailand with Scott (an NPR correspondent previously stationed in Thailand) and Noi, his Thai wife (Symbiosis) concurring. We were also anchored (unfortunately) in the path of all of the tour boats that brought tourists from the surrounding areas to see the caves.
All of the other boats had also made this marina safely. Salicious (as we learned later), however, did anchor in Rio San Juan the first night and then went into the harbor at Santa Barbara (the bay and anchorage next to the marina) where the local Commandantes fleeced them for $20 and $50 respectively. We were able to meet up with them a couple of days later where we got the details of their abuse.
We all were looking at Samana as a layover and plans were quickly being made for a fast departure to Puerto Rico. Weather was not cooperating however, so after a day we made for Parque Nationale de Cuerves, a well known area on the south side of the bay. Some guide books say that this is a "must see". We obtained our appropriate "permission" to travel from the Commandante and sailed the 10 miles across the bay to the park. Symbiosis was a little ahead of us and helped guide us to a good anchorage spot. Yarika and Salacious pulled in a couple of hours after we settled. Utopia came in the next day, all taking advantage of the chance for a new adventure while reducing our daily costs in the marina. Pepper and Vagabond were planning on moving to Punta Cana, about 75 miles southeast for an easier jump to Puerto Rico while Exit Stage Left and Wandering Star decided to brave the marginal conditions and get on with their crossing.
We were rewarded with a wonderful anchorage, well protected and with some of the most interesting cliffs and rock outcroppings that fell directly into the bay. We all commented that the area looked like pictures we had seen of some of the areas in Thailand with Scott (an NPR correspondent previously stationed in Thailand) and Noi, his Thai wife (Symbiosis) concurring. We were also anchored (unfortunately) in the path of all of the tour boats that brought tourists from the surrounding areas to see the caves.
We set out to explore and first went up the small creek near our anchorage to a dock. This led to a path and onto a large cave where there were cave drawings by the Tainos, the indiginous people of this area. We then went across the anchorage to explore the mangrove river. This also turned out to be the source of many of the tour boats. The river was long and winding through the mangroves with great sounds and bird sitings. We ultimately came to a clearing where all the tour buses and taxis were parked. Luckily the traffic ended about 4 and we had the place to ourselves again.
The next day Kaylee was able to give Frank and Diane (Utopia) tours of the caves as the now resident expert. Renewal, friends we had met at the marina in Samana who had two girls (ages 10 and 12) showed up in the afternoon and Kaylee got to swim and play in the bay including being towed on Renewal's paddle board.
The next day Kaylee was able to give Frank and Diane (Utopia) tours of the caves as the now resident expert. Renewal, friends we had met at the marina in Samana who had two girls (ages 10 and 12) showed up in the afternoon and Kaylee got to swim and play in the bay including being towed on Renewal's paddle board.
Our permission to visit the park was for two days only so we enjoyed a fast and windy sail back across the bay and to the marina where Pepper and Vagabond still remained after calling off their trip due to weather. We received and email from Exit Stage Left and Wander Star noting it was not the best of trips but they were in Boqueron, safe and happy in Puerto Rico. The planning for the crossing of the Mona Channel to Puerto Rico had now moved to a new level of urgency as we all felt the need to move on.
RSS Feed
