Ron and Matt took down the jib and worked on the larger projects as I worked on the interior of the boat.  I started by clearing out the unessential items stored on the starboard side of the boat, and kept it coming.  I was unloading it into the cockpit area when I saw a security guy walk by. I hailed him down and asked him what we should do with the “free items”.  He said, “I will take some of it”.  He was so sweet, he put a large pile on the corner of the boat and said put the rest in separate pile on the dock – which we did.  It took me all day to go through the starboard side and the public portions of the port side (including something like 27 sets of bedding, dozens of towels, Tupperware and more). We had random people stopping by to look at our stuff and select their new treasures- I gathered that this is not an unusual occurrence.

Tonight we went out to a nice dinner as it was Ron’s last night with us and we wanted to see what Ron did when he let his hair down J  We had a very expensive dinner at a Thai restaurant and it was not all that.  It was to expensive for 3 people and Ron and I only got 6 shrimps a piece.  But the drinks were good and strong and that was more important.

We arrived early in the morning and anchored out until the marina opened.  We were led to a slip next to a 70+ racing boat and Matt masterfully maneuvered our 25’ wide, 47’ long boat into the slip between another boat and the dock. I was so very proud!

Matt had to clear customs and immigration which took about 2 hours. We were not certain our paperwork from the Gran Canarias would work since they were not handled by us, but it was all we had.  I was so uneasy waiting for him to get back as I wanted to get everyone’s flights changed, get the haul out scheduled and just get off the boat. Of course nobody is supposed to leave the boat until the captain has returned with the clearance – so we waited.   As soon as I saw, him I jumped off the boat and headed straight for the marina office.  Of course I was unable to get the haul out scheduled; I didn’t get the slip taken care of or anything else done with regards to the boat as the office was swarmed with tons of people coming in from the ARC.  What a pain in the butt.  So, I grabbed my change and headed toward the pay phone to try to call American Airlines.  Well, guess what?  You cannot call the toll free number from a pay phone so I called the local number.  The local number cannot help you with flights and I was informed that the toll free number had to be called from a cell or land line (not a pay phone).  So as I was walking back to the boat, dejected I might add, I passed by a trailer for Digicel and I proceeded to get a local cell phone – something we have never done.  I was told that it is $.59 per minute for any call anywhere – not that bad, ha!  I ran into Ron while I was waiting for my phone and almost lost my composer, I was so frazzled.  By the time I got to the boat, saw Matt, I lost it and started crying – I was done, fried and tired.  I just wanted to be able to check something off my list.  After a drink, which always helps, I picked up my new cell phone to call AA.  Of course each call to American was an average of 15 minutes.  The first thing I had to do was try to get Marvin out in 4 hours – I did it!  After he left we just decided to relax – no work, no decisions, nothing – just drinking and dinner, how nice.

Holy Survivor Batman, we are almost there and the tribe has spoken there will be no immunity granted.

Another lovely trade wind sailing day, with the big spinnaker flying in just heading in the right direction.

Getting closer to the end, the breakfast tacos this morning included everything you could imagine, including fresh green beans!

Some sad news from the crew of a family tragedy and we are a still a long way from anywhere, just have to keep on keeping on.

Fired up the Honda and made some electricity, chilled out and expected to see other sail boats today. Only one showed up on the horizon, but way behind us, under working sails and with our spinnaker they again disappeared over the horizon.

As we were having taco salad with grilled chicken or beef, your choice the sun set over the horizon on the other side of St Lucia and we had our first view of LAND in 20 something days. The silhouette of the gran peton mountains were a sight to be seen at 40+ miles away. The crew erupted in cheer, song and dance. We’ll okay, just the cheer.

We are currently ghosting in between a carnival cruise ship, a ferry to St Martin, an Oil Tanker to somewhere and several other presumed sailboats ahead of us that barely show up on radar, but AIS shows them all within about 8 miles of us.

Exciting stuff to say the least, we’ll go a round the tip of St Lucia and probably drop anchor for the night and wait till morning to get into the marina and declare victory. Tho as soon as the anchor goes down and hooks, its Rum and Diet time! As its still a partial victory. Then to clear customs and see what we can see in Rodney Bay, St Lucia.

AIS shows us following Vulcan Spirit in, its 7.3 miles ahead of us.

Bacon, we still have more bacon to cook, everyone loves bacon, so come get some bacon!

Tomorrow we celebrate!

Course over ground: 264 Speed over ground: 5.2kn Total miles through water: 944 Miles to destination: 16 kn (as a crow).