St.Lucia

Bonanza is now anchored in Vieux Fort in southern St.Lucia. A fishing village almost without other tourists and cruisers. The village is most charming with nice people and a beautiful windward beach where Hansi at the moment is taking kiting lessons.
Kari and Froystein has returned to Norway and Lars and Kristin Marie is expected onboard today. We have to admit that we actually anchored outside the wrong airport...but what are buses for?



The passage from St.Vincent was a rough one. Wind gusting up to 30 knots straight on our noses almost the whole time. The good news is that all windows and hatches are now totally waterproof!
To be honest we are a little disappointed about the Caribbean weather. It rains a lot and the wind and swells is not exactly providing comfortable cruising conditions. Seems like the raining season is still not over...But as long as the scenery is beautiful and the company is good we are not complaining.



Maybe you wonder about the roaches? Well, we only see dead ones! Our weapon seems to have conquered the little invaders.

The Bonanza treasure on Fort Duvernette, St.Vincent

Before we left St.Vincent a real treasure was burried on a very pirate looking place. We encourrage anyone to go treasurehunting! A map and description will soon be put in a bottle and thrown i the sea. In case it should not be found you can read the letter and see the map here.



1. Moore up to the stone jetty. Beware of shallows and current.
2. Turn right at the path crossing.
3. Take to the left of the barbed wire and follow the rear side of ruins to the rock top.
4. Look through the iron ring towards the west.
5. Where your eyesight crosses the top and seven feet below, and seven feet left under pile of rocks, there lies the Bonanza treasure.

Union Island

After a great time in Englishmans bay snorkelling, and in Charlotteville, renting car and walking in the rainforest, we left Tobago yesterday evening heading for Union Island. After 18 hours with 2,5 m waves and wind of force 6(estimated because our wind instrument is not calibrated yet, it shows too low wind), we could anchor outside Cliffton on Union Island. Even tough almost every leak has been sealed, a new leak was discovered in the anchor locker in the bow, causing wet cloths and water on the floor. So, when a project is done, always a new one appear.



Now it is raining heavily and Arild and Froystein discovered they had alot of Trinidad and Tobago dollars left in their wallets. Unhappily they cannot change it into the local currency here even if it is neighbour countries. Not very logical, but if anybody need 360 TT dollars, just tell us...

Seven people onboard

Bonanza is not very large, but most people get impressed when we tell them how many we are onboard. But with careful planning, it is no problem. Yes, Kari and Froystein finally arrived on Monday, and they already enjoy the carribean life. Today Kathi will leave our ship, and it has been nice to have her onboard. Then we will be only six, sombody that want to come?

Yesterday Arild, Kari and Froystein rented a car and participated in Rally Tobago in order to get to Charlotteville to sign in the new crew members. This had to be done not later than 24 hours after arrival, even if it is several hours to Charlotteville from Pidgeon point where we are now.



Hans Olav and David went with the ferry to Chaguaramas in Trinidad to pick up our "new" 9,9HP Yamaha outboard engine. We bought it from our friend Kris, and it is an 2000 model, but shall be as good as new. They are now about to try it, and from now we will have the fastest dinghy in the harbour.

We will probably stay here some more days, sailing up to Charlotteville to check out of the country. On the way we will sure make a stop in Englishmans bay, we have seen the pictures, and is seems like the most idyllic place.

About upside-downs

What is worse than getting your dinghy turned upside down and the engine full of saltwater? The same thing with yourself inside! YES, we have tried that also, in Castara bay, with a huge swell on the beach. Next time we will count the waves. But nobody got hurt and some locals helped us with the engine, and now it runs again. Actually, it runs so nice, that we wonder if we at all need the new Yamaha 15HP we have ordered.

Today Froystein and Kari will arrive from Norway. They landed on St.Marteen on Saturday, but the airline system here in Carribean is clearly not among the easiest. After two days and seven more islands, they will hopefully arrive Tobago in one hour or so. If the flight is not delayed...

Tobago

Bonanza is now on the beautiful island of Tobago. We left Trinidad with a perfect waterline and a shining hull. The most important things on the "to do" list were accomplished but we still have some work to do before we are totally ship shape.
We powered all the way to Charlotteville due to the direction of the wind and current and had a pleaseant crossing. We will spend some time here and explore this tropical paradise.



War on Bonanza!
Since Trinidad we have more and more often caught unwanted stowaways. They hide in unbelievable places and as the cowards they are they usually come out at night to haunt the crew. We are talking about the cochroaches. The most digusting creature alive on the planet have invited themselves onboard. In the dark corners they are thriving and multiplying. But they have come to the wrong boat! After consulting experienced sailors we have decided that a full war without the possibility of a truce is the only solution. Our weapon:
Capsuals with a mixture of Boric acid and condensated milk are now placed all over the boat. An eye for an eye, it is payback time!
Follow our struggle on this site.

The dinghy upside down..
Our first night in Charlotteville was spent in the good company of S/Y "Babette" on a good local restaurant. When we returned to the dinghydock we heard from some helpful friends that some big swells had flipped the dinghy over. They had mooved it up on the beach and saved it from further damage. The engine was packed with sand and salt water, both which is not known to be good for an outboard. We got the right tools and a waterhose from Bonanza and started the salvage operation. The day after the engine was running again, although not very good. Our outboard has been difficult for a long time and this did not make it any better.
In our dreams we picture ourselves with a brand new 15hp outboard. One never knows, the prices here are good....