Cuba part 1

                                Sept. 19 2100hrs
Greetings,

    The passage from Isla Mujeres to Cayo Largo was relatively smooth and uneventful, which is how we like it. The first day the waves were a bit choppy, but not big, and nothing we couldn’t handle. The last several hours were quite calm, the way I wish all passage making was.
    We arrived at  Cayo Largo at about 1230 local time. The check in process took longer than we expected and we didn’t even get done. We’ll have to go back in to finish paying the last two fees in the morning because the officials weren’t all in when we got here.
    So, after about three hours of paper work and running around trying to see all the officials we came out to get set on anchor. Once we had set the anchor, we started the generator and the water maker and lay down to rest. After having worked fine, running almost everyday, for over a month in Isla Mujeres, the water maker decided this was a good time to spring another leak. So, once again, Capt Johne got to take it apart and replace more O-Rings. When we fired it back up no leaks (knock wood) so extremely frustrating, but not the end of the world. Then…after having dinner, when Johne set the anchor alarm on the radar, he thought we might be drifting. I went up to the bridge to check the GPS coordinates and just after I did, the wind picked up. Sure enough, we were dragging and headed for the beach. So now, in the dark, with occasional lightning to give slight help, we had to re-anchor.

                                Sept. 20 2000hrs
    Another long day but thing are looking up. The water maker has been apart twice    more     since last night. It just ran for 3 and a half hours, at 600psi (instead of the usual 750) without a problem.
    The new anchorage spot is much better. Held well through the night and check the anchor today. It’s well down into the sand.
    I got one of the two fees paid today. The port Capt. still wasn’t in his office the three times I checked. So we still have to see him to complete the check in process.
    I got a couple loads of laundry done and Johne got most of the salt from the passage washed off the boat. Now, maybe, we can start relaxing…after I do the dinner dishes. J

                                Sept. 21 1000hrs
    It’s been a good morning. The bilges are dried of the little bit of water we take underway. The water maker is running, with no grief at the moment. Laundry is drying. We just had a lovely, if brief, rain pass through.  Right now life seems pretty good. (Life is always better when the water maker is working).

                                Sept.22 1530hrs
    Well, now we’re starting to get into a cruising routine. Yesterday and today we did some chores in the morning. Yesterday Johne ran in to finish the check in process. We’ve napped in the afternoons and we’re enjoying the beauty of our surroundings.
    Right now I’m sitting on the aft deck, listening to the water lapping gently against the hull. Every now and then there’s a splash near by as the fish play or feed. The water is totally clear and when the breeze dies, and there are no ripples on the surface, you can see the paths in the sand on the bottom, and every detail of the sea life going on around the boat. We had more rain this morning so, even though it’s hot, it’s kind of fresh, and not stifling.
    The rain showers have come with some stronger gusts of wind, give the anchor little tests. We’re holding strong and the anchor is completely buried in the sand. All you can see is the chain.
    We’ve taken the water maker back up to 650psi and it still seems to be coping. So we’re getting caught up on water production.
    I’m looking forward to some snorkeling here, over the next few days, before we move on to Casilda and the Jardines. Even with frustrations, life is good…