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Rediscovery of Caribbean
A year of cruising around the Caribbean, from east to west, from south to north, all to find out that this good old Caribbean, where we have spend already 8 years, has still so much more goods things to enjoy and discover. Pictures and comments of some of the highlights. Shark cave photos made by Steve Keith.
see map of south Caribbean |
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Islas Los Monjes are the most western islands on the north coast of Venezuela. Located 55 nm west of Aruba. On Monjes Sur is a 20 man Venezuelan coast guard station. No further inhabitants. Yachts and fishing boats are allowed to tie up to a rope connected to both sides of the north western bay. No costs involved for permission to stay a few days but recommended to give presents to the guys, like cigarettes, rum and T-shirts. |
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The islands are rocky and dry, and here you feel far away from the world, with lots of birds and fish like baracuda and shark. No supplies available. All day long coastguard VHF checking all yachts and ships passing in 10nm vicinity. Monjes is supposed to be a strategic military point in the shipping route to the oilfields of Lake Maracaibo. During our stay the winds and swell did not allow you to really relax in that small bay surrounded by only rocks. See first 3 photo rows below. |
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Click in the upper 7 photos of Islas los Monjes to see them bigger. |
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Aruba. Lots of bars & beaches,babes & jewelry and excellent wind surfing. Aruba has strong winds from Feb. to August and is excellent for a daysail trip on Monsoon along the north western coastline, we are often blasting 9 knots. Beware of open sea eastbound. Curacao is a nice and more Caribbean style island, variety in landscape and a colorful fruit market downtown on little boats. South east of Curacao we find a small paradise island called Klein Curacao, good for a stop-over and do some wind surfing and kiting. Next in the chain is Bonaire to fly into and sail quickly to ISLAS LAS AVES. Aves, two uninhabited coral atolls offer you the most beautiful corals of the Caribbean, most |
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exciting diving/snorkeling and a superb hide-away ambiance. In 2004 we discovered here the canons of the lost French armada, and furthermore a few brilliant coral formations and a real great cave with some real size sharks. Inside the circular reef is tranquility. Also for kids and non-seafarers. Buy fish and lobsters from fisherman around. Aves is our #1 !! Only 5 hours sailing east from Bonaire which has good air connections. If you want to get an impression of mainland South America, than a visit to Paraguana is something recommendable. Old american cars, beer for 20 cents, local flavors, lots of fruits, crazy people, it's all yours here: South America's Paraguana. |
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On the right 3 photos of Los Testigos, a 6 hours sail east from Isla Margarita. Friendly fishermen, a little restaurant. Clean, beautiful islands and very special.
Below from left to right:
-1- Admirals Bay Bequia, a fine tourist trap in Eastern Caribbean.
-2- rainbow over Tobago Cays, world famous scenery in the Grenadines.
-3- St Vincent with local markets
-4- North/South cruising in the eastern Caribbean can be really pleasant
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The Caribbean, this fantastic part of the world is too big for only one life
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