Windy Conditions

Since we have been back in Curacao these last two weeks, it has been very windy. Every day the trade winds are blowing over 20 knots and gusting to 30 knots (23 mph to 35 mph). As we continue our preparations to set sail, we are hoping for a break in the weather. Sailors call this a "weather window". The best forecast would be for 15 knots of wind or less, to give us the best chance of a calm, uneventful sail.

1926 Rolls Royce at a recent car show

Our route has firmed up in our minds, after much research and talking to other sailors, we have decided to go north-west from Curacao, through the Windward Passage between Haiti and Cuba, up the Old Bahama Channel to Key West. It is the most direct route, and once through the Windward Passage, we will pick up a favorable current to help push us along.

We have each had minor illnesses which have slowed us down but are now on the mend. Our diligence in using bug spray has kept our mosquito bites to a minimum; the mosquito-borne illness chikungunya is what we do not want to catch. It is endemic on the island; most people who live here have had it, and it can take months to fully recover. No thanks!

In the meantime, we take walks up the hill every afternoon, where we see beautiful views of the sea.