Tag Archives: spanish waters

The Guardian Indian

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During one of our fabulous pizza parties at Thom and Bianca’s house, one of their (and our new) friends, Ingmar mentioned an Indian statue up on the mountain protecting and overlooking Spaanse Waters.

As the story goes, Spaanse Waters was underseige with the enemy hunkered at the top of the mountain shooting down.  The Indian showed the locals a protected way to get close to the top, under a huge rock overhang to take back their territory.  And now the Indian lives there watching over the bay.

Sounds fascinating, so we wanted to meet this Indian.  We had a general idea of where he was located which meant we knew which mountain he was on, and which approximate overlook.  We did not know how tall he was, what he looked like, what he was made of or how big he would be – just that there was an Indian protecting the bay.

The first time we went searching for the Indian, we were in our standard shoe attire – flip flops.  We made it 3/4 up the hill when we realized we were either on the wrong path or wearing the wrong shoes so we turned back.

On a different day, we wore tennis shoes.  Let me tell you that it felt incredibly weird to wear enclosed canvas over my feet – they felt cramped, hot, and miserable – why do we wear shoes?   At least they gave a little more protection against the prickly thorns, cacti and plants.  We followed the same trail and got to the part in the path where we are had to shimmy sideways between a large boulder and cliff to continue forward.

We were able to finally spot the Indian from the trail – follow the pink arrow and zoom in.

Pink arrow pointing to the Indian. View from 1/2 way up the mountain.

Up, up, and up we climbed until we were finally rewarded with the site of our elusive Indian.  He sure does have majestic views from his perch high up on the mountain.

Guardian Indian over Spaanse Waters

Panorama view – so pretty

The Indian’s view of Curacao Yacht Club

The Indian’s view of the channel (to the right of the bay)

Matt meets the Indian

Sharing a reflective moment.

We didn’t just do that, did we?

Accomplishments:

  • Great hike
  • New discovery
  • Awesome views

Bushy Bridle & Shaggy Shackles

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After sitting in the same spot in Spaanse Waters for 6 weeks we have unwillingly acquired new sea life on everything that is below water.  That would include, the props, zincs, freezer plates, bridle, shackles, anchor chain, and hulls.  Luckily our bottom paint is holding up “pretty” good. We had it painted with Sea Hawk red in December at Grenada Marine so it is holding its own against the freeloaders who want to claim the bottom of our boat as their new home.  However, the other items are suffering immensely.  Since we are in pretty deep  (@ 8 meters), silty, unclear water with a decent current and lots of wind, we have not had many opportunities to clean the bottom.  Matt made a few attempts and came back up covered in tons of little tiny shrimp crawling in places that you don’t want critters.

On of our folding props completely covered in hairy growth.

We recently purchased a new power washer, as the motor on the old one decided to stop working – no telling how old it was but it served us well.  Matt decided to try a different approach to cleaning the bridle, shackles, and anchor chain.  He lugged the power washer to the bow, attached the hose and started attacking the chain with vigor!  It was a slow process that he had to repeat on each side of the chain, for every link of the chain.  As the chain cleaned up, he slower raised the chain to access the next several links.

Matt cleaning our anchor chain.

Attacking the growth with the power washer.

Cleaning the anchor chain to get to the bridle.

One link and one side at a time.

Partially cleaned anchor chain.

As you can see, the hair is so bushy thick is about 5-6″ in each direction making the circumference about 1′ all around.  You cannot even see the shackles in the center (they are attaching the bridle to the anchor chain)

Our bridle is attached to the anchor chain with stainless steel shackles, but you can’t even see them.

Unfortunately, the rest will have to wait until we get to cleaner, clearer, shallower water – hopefully within the next week as we plan to move Sugar Shack to Fuik (pronounced Fowk with a heavy “O”) Bay or Klein Curacao.

What’s Worse?

  • Cleaning the bridle daily or weekly?
  • Cleaning the bridle when you’re ready to leave?

Dinghy: Foot Loose and Fancy Free

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It might come as a surprise to most, but I am not a qualified dinghy driver.  In fact, when we had our smaller 8 hp outboard I only tried to start it a few times and got frustrated when it would not start as easily for me as it did for Matt (lack of strength, style, something).  So, when we got the 25 hp outboard, I had resigned to never driving.  I mean, really, it’s hard to pull start that sucker (yes, I know men everywhere are laughing out loud).

I had only ventured out on my own once before and that was when I had to go into customs while Matt drove Sugar Shack in circles because there was no room in Cruz Bay, St. John.  It was a very short distance, the motor was already warm and primed and I did not have to do much other than drive straight.  So, here we are many months later and I still have not taken Sweet N Low out on my own.

Until the day came when I really wanted to get off the boat and Matt was up to his eyeballs in grease and boat projects.  I asked him to drop me off and in his infinite wisdom he said it would be better if I just took the dink. Jeeeeesh!  Lots of wining and pouting, I prepared to take the dinghy on my own.  Pumped the little ball (fuel primer bulb), pulled out the choke, took my fighting stance and pulled with all my heart.  Little rumble, pushed the choke back in, pulled again, and again and low and behold it started to rumble!

I love the sound of the 25hp outboard!  After releasing the painter, I started to drift away from the boat, which was good as I did not want to have to put it in reverse-baby steps.  Slowly I circled around and headed toward the dock – downwind is fine, going with the waves and current.  I turned around and Matt waived happily and joyful to have the boat to himself.

The 25 ponies take off.

The 25 ponies take off.

Little worried about my approach to the dinghy dock as there were tons of dinghies there.  Great.  I thought, well, I will go in with balls blazin and wedge myself between a small dink and a medium one, forward motion, head to the bow to maneuver between the dinks and WACK-STOP.  The two short dinks on my left were short tied meaning they were not going anywhere!  If you are boater, you know that you should always tie your dinghy with a long painter to make room for other dinghies coming in – either they are newbies or just not very nice.  Bummer. Circle back and try again.

This time I put it in gear, headed between two other dinks and just as Sweet N Low hit the transom of the medium one, I lept forward with our painter, jumped onto the other dinghy and crawled onto the dock! Success.  I’m sure it was a site to behold as I am in a skort and had arms and legs all over the place.  Tied off, jumped back in my dink to get the lock, my shoes, and the key, then secured her to the dock, and headed to the bus stop!  I am feeling pretty darn proud of myself!

I was heading into town to see Wonder Woman and I am feeling like I should be wearing her costume.  Ok, maybe a bit of an exaggeration!  The movie was spectacular!  I was feeling the girl power all over me as I headed back to the boat.

If you squint, hold image far away & go back 30 years it looks like me in my dreams.

If you squint, hold the photo far away & go back 30 years it looks like me in my dreams.

The ride back is always a wet one as you are going into the wind and waves so I took it slow and easy and arrived just as Sugar Shack turned giving me the perfect landing!

Focus-don't hit the big boat.

Focus-don’t hit the big boat.

Why Didn’t I learn to drive the dinghy before?

  • Matt normally drives, even with cars
  • It can be confusing moving the steering in the opposite direction
  • A bit afraid of drowning