25.12.11
The run from Habana has been very pleasant. We had the spinnaker up for a few hours with smooth seas and I sat up on the foredeck in my blue chair and had a lovely time. We then came inside the reef which runs along the north coast of Cuba and that means very tense watching of the depth gauge and steering accurately to avoid the shoals and rocks etc. We had 2 very quiet stops, except for one evening at Cayo Paraiso, which is where Ernest Hemingway had a fish camp. A "cay" is a small island inside a reef. At dusk I heard an engine, looking for a boat or plane and then spotted a helicopter heading right for us. It was dark green so obviously military and circled us twice. I waved at them while Paddy hid below (he’s always nervous about authority). The chopper then landed on the Cay and did 15 touch and go landings over the next 2 hours. We presume they were training.
The next morning we were approached by 3 fishermen in a boat made of truck- tyre tubes who held up 3 huge lobsters- still alive. They wanted money at first -which we didn’t have as we have been getting rid of all our Cuban money, so they were happy with 2 shirts and a bottle of rum. The lobsters were delicious!
The next morning we were approached by 3 fishermen in a boat made of truck- tyre tubes who held up 3 huge lobsters- still alive. They wanted money at first -which we didn’t have as we have been getting rid of all our Cuban money, so they were happy with 2 shirts and a bottle of rum. The lobsters were delicious!
The next day we sailed about 7 miles to Cayo Levisa. As we approached I could see a hobie cat on a beautiful white beach, then quite a few people strolling along, deck chairs etc. We anchored behind the island and jumped in the dingy to explore. It was a resort for touristos (mainly Euro’s) and we were welcome. I found the tienda (store) and they took Aussie visa cards! So I did some retail therapy. They were having a special dinner that night as it was the 24th, so we went over again at 7.30 and enjoyed a delicious buffet – tables on the beach, turkey, pork, great salads, soup- dessert!! All for $15 each. After there was a magic show, where the magician did all the classic tricks- scarves out of a top hat; knotted ropes , even a white dove out of a box with the assistance of a member of the audience! Then followed a salsa competition, starring the chefs and staff- amazing dancing. I am going to have a salsa lesson tomorrow.
Today is Xmas Day, so we are going for a swim, walk on the beach, have had fruit salad for brekky, and will have our roast dinner of chicken, gravy, veggies etc about 6pm.
Enjoying some Xmas cheer in the pulpit, one of my favourite spots on the boat - late afternoon
We found this resort on Cayo Levisa and enjoyed their facilities
The end of the Cay Levisa- quite deserted
My goorgeous salsa teacher Tony & I showing the class how to do it!
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