Sunday playlist

It ain't my pool party tonight but if it was I'd play something like » this «. As well as a few turns of this dope track (and video) that can't be found on Spotify: Fallin' love, produced by BenZel, a duo of two 15 and 16 year old kids from Japan, now residing in NYC. And as I'm partly into sampled 90's rnb beats and slinky slow jams today, here's another super sweet new tune for y'all, by FKJ.

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Curaçao update

Went out a bit on Friday night to scan off the nightlife on the island. Cabana, St Tropez, Papagayo etc. It's a very un-caribbean island this, which is refreshing and a bit odd at the same time. All what surprises you is good stimulation for the brain though so we're pleased with the change. 

On another note: We have just got back our torn mainsail and our blade from repair and got the confirmation we were afraid of, that our main is completely worn out (which we knew) but also that it almost wasn't possible to even repair the poor thing as it's falling apart as soon as they tried to stitch patches onto it. This old mainsail has been on Duende for the last five (?) years or so and it came with the package when we got the boat last year. As we had a few cuts in it before, and because we know how destructive the tropical sun is for a sail fabric, we knew we'd have to replace it soon, but had at least hoped we could sail with it all the way till Colombia, which is only a three day sail away now. A new North Sail sail is probably in place, let's just hope we can make it around the coast without having the whole (patched) thing ripped apart in the middle of that stormy passage. Even more important now that we await the calmer winds and not push a weather window.

What else, we have just filtered our fuel because the fuel isn't too clean around here in the Caribbean and it's been clogging up the injectors. I find it weird that the fuel is such bad quality here in these regions as it's being refined right here, in particular on this island of Curacao. Alex and Michael have also tightened the alternator belt because it was too loose. There seem to be more maintenance with the boat than what we had expected but we're in a good place for that. Though more expensive than in St Maarten for example, they got all the chandleries and most spare-parts we need here in Curacao. I'd say the prices are 15-20% higher here than in sxm so bare that in mind if you're ever going West.

Since we have a friend visiting this week, we do also spend a fair amount of time out in town, eating out, watching shows and regular sightseeing with the rental car we have this week and it seems as we will end up at a pool party later this afternoon with a few new friends from the island. Looking forward!

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Venezuelan avocados

Went into the capital Willemstad today to fetch some fresh fruits and veggies and that's where the floating market comes into the picture. Venezuelan fishing boats have traveled the thirty-fourty miles there is between their coast and the one of Curacaos'. Side by side they've tied up to the dock by the boardwalk and sell fruits, vegetables, juices and what else typical Venezuelan there is, right off the boat towards the street, hence the name "floating market". We got a couple of those enormous avocados (have you ever seen them that large before?), a water melon, bananas, dulce de leche as well as some guava jelly. Speaking of Venezuela, we did spend a night there on our way to the ABC islands a couple weeks ago. I have yet to tell you the whole story. Some weeks I have all the time in the world to ramble here on the blog several times a day about all kinds of nonsense, and some weeks, like now most recently, I have barely time to reply to emails. We still have a lot of sailing to do, and some island exploration of course. As well as the necessary boat work and other important job that keeps us busy, but all should slow down a bit very shortly. We love this island by the way, Curacao reminds of Europe in many aspects, mixed with latin and carib flair, and it's all very busy and bustling. Totally not what we had expected. Will show you more of it shortly.

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Hydrating drink

It's not always and in every place possible to get a hold on fresh coconut water directly from the coconut itself, so a canned version is occasionally a good option. A nutritious way to keep yourself dehydrated.

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Hello Curaçao

We stayed another night in Bonaire and left towards Curaçao early this morning instead. Glad we did as we had the most perfect conditions, steady 18 knots of wind from the E and very comfortable seas. We are currently docked at Curaçao Yacht Club and shall be staying here a few days to have our sail repaired, engine checked into again and some other necessary maintenance before we can continue West. 

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Time to leave

Goodbye beautiful Bonaire. We weren't expecting anything as wonderful and beautiful as what we have had the pleasure to experience here these past eight days. Bonaire now belongs to one of our favorite Caribbean destinations, for many reasons which I will tell you all about one of these days.

We're setting sail towards Curacao this morning, and as soon as a good weather window appears, we'll sail the three days it'll take to get to Cartagena. It's a passage that is notorious for strong winds and high seas, there's regularly gale force winds between Barranquilla and Cartagena, and those are what we gladly would like to avoid. Had enough of 30+ winds on our passage to Bonaire which I also will tell you all about soon I promise. 

Before Colombia, we will also pick up our friend Michael in Aruba, who returns to the boat from his short visit back home in cold and snowy Boston. Has been a pleasure to have him onboard and he obviously seem to think so too as he will be staying with us for another couple weeks. Nice!

Hasta luego amigos, I hope you all have a lovely beginning to the new week.

P.S: We have almost reached 5000 facebook fans which is simply amazing. Feel free to share and spread the word if you think your friends would enjoy our journey as well. Click here to get to our Facebook page.

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Villa Karibuni


Lazy mornings - Snorkel right off the terrace - Burning skin and mesmerizing sunsets 
Healthy food homemade in elegant roomy kitchen - Wine, wine, wine
Reading books - Planning on next adventure
Two arm lengths long iguanas sunbathing on thatched roofs
Rum cocktails -  Brilliant views - Palm trees and coconuts - Fruit platter in mind blowing colors
and .... more long lazy mornings.

It's an understatement to say that we had an amazing time in the beautiful Karibuni villa, designed by Piet Boon - one of the Netherlands most interesting and best known interior designers. It is always a true pleasure to enter a room, home or a house where careful thoughts have been widely distributed on the total product, that there is a soul behind the sleek and polished surface. Piet Boon has designed twelve villas in various sizes here on Bonaire and many more houses and apartments worldwide. Our particular villa which is one of the larger ones on this island was probably a tad bit too big for just the two of us. But we still managed to make use of it the best we could, and changed bedrooms once, only to quickly return to the one which was located right next to the pool on the ground-floor - perfectly positioned in front of the early sunrise above that sparkling blue sea. Besides sailing on the open sea, I can't think of a better way to wind down and disconnect from it all than spending some slow time in such fine and peaceful environments.

Click here if you're interested in renting the same place, which would be an absolutely perfect vacation house for a group of good friends. Or here if you're curious about the other villas Piet Boon offers in Bonaire.

Many thanks to Piet Boon for being able to organize so efficiently and on such a short notice!

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