Casino at Ocean World Marina, DR.
Gardens at Ocean World.
For 1-1/2 hours we tried desperately to sail but to no avail, the wind was right on our nose at about 10 kts. We brought the sails in and motored. Shortly after dusk, the winds and waves picked up. We decided to head towards shore about 1-1/2 miles closer. The winds calmed to 10 kts again and the seas were more manageable. I am assuming we hit the katabatic winds (where the wind from the land gets under the trade winds). We had a wonderful motor sail for about 6 hours with the winds gradually building to 18 to 20 kts but coming from the south - a perfect beam reach! Yippee! Our boat speed averaged between 6.5 and 7 kts. Around 0300 the winds had decreased to 6 - 10 kts but picked up again between 0500 and 0600, this time the cape effect. Boy I wish I understood all this stuff better. We rounded Cabo Samana and once again the wind was on the nose but it was less than 10 kts. We had a wonderful trip in Bahia Samana arriving at Marina Puerto Bahia just after 1200 on March 26, 22 hours after leaving Ocean World, earlier than we had anticipated. We were tired but had a good trip.
Approaching Marina Puerto Bahia in Bahia Samana.
We arrived at the fuel dock, filled up and then took a slip. After lunch we wandered around the marina, had a swim in the pool and relaxed pool side. It didn't take long before we were talking with another couple at the pool who were, of course, fellow cruisers.
We had showers, supper and were in bed by 2100.
On Thursday, March 27 the marina staff drove us into Samana. We needed to change some money to pesos. Of course in the process of getting to town, we forgot to take our passports and the banks will not change money without them. Oh well, it was an excuse to hire a motoconcho. Back to the marina for the passports and then back to town. We successfully changed some dollars into pesos, wandered around town and then met Pat and Brigitte (the couple from the marina we met last night.) They had rented a car so we did some grocery/market shopping and then went back to the marina with them. We enjoyed happy hour in the main lobby of the marina with Pat and Brigitte and a couple off a trawler (former sailors) who had just arrived from Puerto Rico.
Our motoconcho.
Riding in the motoconcho.
Outdoor shoe store.
Upscale shopping plaza in front of Samana port.
Family transportation.
Narrow aisle in supermercado.
We met with Pat and Brigitte this morning (March 28). They still had their rental car so the four of us set off to Rincon. We missed the turn and ended up in Las Galeras. Got the scenic tour of that town before heading back down the road to Rincon. We found a beach side restaurant and had lunch. The water was a little too rough to do any swimming or snorkeling so we opted to drive along the beach before heading back to the marina.
Restaurant at Rincon Beach.
L - R: Pat, Brigitte, Jorge and Kim.
Outdoor sink.
Kim with Rincon Beach in background.
Horses for rent.
Rincon Beach.
Local fishing boat.
Bridge and driveway to villa in the mountain.
Of course there was happy hour in the marina lobby again with Pat and Brigitte, Mo and Pollie from the trawler and a Scottish couple from another trawler also joined us. Too much socializing and no time for blogging! Besides we can't get internet on the boat, we have to take the computer to the lobby.
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