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Nick presses the transmit button on the SSB radio and announces,
"This is Caribbean Soul underway from Puerto La
Cruz to El Oculto in Mochima Park, Venezuela."
Chris, net control for the Coconut Telegraph replies, "I
think there's something wrong with my radio because I just
heard Caribbean Soul check in underway."
Yes, it's hard to believe but true. It's New Year's Eve and
after six tedious months Caribbean Soul has finally
escaped the boat yard and the marina. We are joining a number
of other boats from Bahia Redonda that have gathered in El
Oculto to ring in 2008.
The New Year's Eve party is a potluck at a fish camp on the
beach. A few cruisers bring propane grills to cook the meat,
and there are lots of yummy side dishes and desserts. After
dinner, we build a bonfire. When midnight strikes in Greenwich,
we join hands around the fire to sing Auld Lang Syne. By midnight
in Venezuela, the fire is out and we're all sleeping soundly
in our bunks.
On New Year's Day, the two catamarans tie alongside and host
a party. Two couples on a Venezuelan boat join us and share
their homemade hallacas (the Venezuelan version of a tamale).
On the third day, we find ourselves alone in the anchorage.
The other boats, having been here awhile, are ready to leave
but we want to stay and do some more snorkeling. The water
is in the 70s and rather murky, but Nick still manages to
get a few nice pictures.
We rise early on the fourth day and retrieve the anchor in
the morning calm. Much to our pleasure and relief, our newly
repaired Maxwell-Nilsson windlass pulls the anchor onboard
easily. The windlass was broken when we arrived in Venezuela
last summer. When Nick contacted Maxwell Marine in the States,
they said no parts were available for our old model and we
should purchase a new one. That's easier said than done in
Venezuela where shipping costs and excessive duties make it
difficult to import boat parts. Luckily, while searching the
Internet, Nick found contact information for Grant Nilsson
of James Nilsson Winchmakers in New Zealand. Grant was very
helpful and sent us a new bearing via DHL. Electrin, a motor
repair shop in Puerto La Cruz, installed the new part and
guaranteed the windlass "until it stops working."
We're hoping the old windlass will make it back to Texas.
We motor east a few miles away and drop the anchor next to
the towering red cliff at Bahia Manare. Being a holiday weekend,
the public beach is crowded and there's lots of boat traffic
ferrying people back and forth. We fall asleep that night
to the steady rhythm of a drumbeat coming from the campers
on shore. Those Venezuelans know how to have a good time.
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El Oculto, above and below the water
Colorful Christmas tree worms are prolific
here.
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