Quaint Venezuela

King Mackerel

Over a week ago we broke our ties to civilization and left Chaguramas in Trinidad. Once anchored in Scotland bay, a moment of peace and relieve surrounded our ambience. Scotland bay is at the Northeastern part of Trinidad and the only way to get there is by boat. Hills and mountains enclose the bay and there will not be a dull moment of birds chirping and flying around. This anchorage is best if you just come in or leaving Trinidad or want to be deserted. We enjoyed the tranquility before setting sail for the longest overnight passage since this voyage started in Chicago. Shortly after entering the Venezuelan waters, the Venezuelan Navy ship (Ewkuana) contacted us on VHF Radio to identify ourselves. They asked various routine questions and at the end thanked for our cooperation. After all It’s good that somebody keeps track of you and where you are going!
The new trolling fishing pole was put out for the first time and guess what, it hooked a large King Mackerel! Since we could not store this big fish, we had to fillet it under way and also made a fresh meal.
Earthling has never been as ready as now to make long passages, 188 mile distance took 29 hours, and recorded all time top speed of 11.6 knots. The currents in these waters are between 1.5 to 3 kt and with the wind on your back, easy and fast running. However waves can occasionally build up after windy days, we surfed on some 10 footers, winds were never over 20 kt during this passage.

Happy Dolphins 

Dolphins escorted Earthling just after departing Trinidad and greeted us when we arrived Isla La Blanquilla, Venezuela. Playa Yaque on the eastern side of the Island is definitely a piece of paradise and a great place to anchor. The long stretching white sandy beach is tranquil and deserted, there are no houses, constructions, roads, or wifi :-) The water is so clear you can see 25ft down and it is constantly changing colors as the clouds dance around the sky. Now finally, It feels like cruising and traveling to distant places.  
At the arrival to Isla Blanquilla, we treated ourselves with a favorite persian dish (Sabzi Polo Mahi) and ate some more of the catch. And there is at least another pound of the fish in the freezer.
Unfortunately, we did not get to interact with any locals on this island even though there is a little town with a few hundred people and the coast guard never visited us! But donkies cross our paths ashore and it seems like they have a higher populations than humans. During the three days in Blanquilla, we saw three other sailboats and a few fishing boats.

The visit in Blanquilla ended with a bonfire on the beach. Bonfires are always soothing, in addition we have not been able to deposit trash and all the plastic was put in the fire. The rest of the trash such as aluminum and glass breaks in pieces and thrown in 1000ft+ water during passages.
One hundred twenty miles from Blanquilla is Los Roques, a Reef Wonderland, where we are currently anchored and an update about this amazing place will follow within the next week.  

Love from Deserted Islands of Venezuela