56. Back Onboard Sonic Boom

I had a great flight to Curacao; watched The Grand Budapest Hotel three times, drank wine and slept. I wish I could have stayed in Amsterdam a bit longer, but happy now to be back in the Caribbean.

Schiphol

It’s hot, and very windy in Curacao. Sonic Boom is fine. A bit dusty, needs cleaning, but the batteries are fine, and everything is working. Once I'd got onboard I jumped straight off, swam over to the beach at Limestone Holiday and back, and then checked the hull, which was clean, no growth at all.

Sonic Boom in Kima Kalki marina

Exciting to be back onboard. First priority is to leave Kima Kalki marina, which is costing  $15 a day. Before I can do that I need to change engine oil and clean the propeller, so I can motor out. I also need to fill up with water and get my sails on board. Finding a new outboard may take a while so I’ll get lots of provisions before I go anchor in the lagoon.

Limestone Holiday beach next to the marina

55. Over the Rainbow

Arrivederci San Remo

Happy to be going home. The refit was hard work; but I’m very grateful for money to pay for my sail repairs and an outboard. After flights and marina fees I can also pay off some debt.

Ciao to everyone working on the boat

Netherland

The end of work, and the start of some Dutch fun – a night of celebration in Amsterdam on my way to Curacao; a separate country but still part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities, very fun to be back, it was six years ago that I was last here.

Damrak

54. Portosole

Work carries on in the yard; I’m rebuilding pumps, painting the fuel centrifuge and air conditioner condensers. I made friends with a cruiser called Hans who’s in charge of all the teak work. He’s been sailing around Greece in a 50ft Beneteau, which he recently sold, and the new owner just wrecked on rocks off Panama. I’m trying to persuade him to come to the Caribbean. If you want your teak decks redoing, you need Hans:

Marineservice.eu

A Rse cleaning van (Super Mario’s company)…Cheeky. I’m tempted to set up a rival company – British Ultra Marine cleaning.

I picked up a cheap DC to AC power inverter, new coffee maker and lots of other bits and pieces for Sonic Boom, new shorts, flip flops and sunglasses for me. I’m very ready to leave San Remo; excited to go to Amsterdam to catch my KLM flight back to Curacao in a couple of weeks.

Local wildlife – an impala and a bee