As we approach Cuba on an early morning in May, after three days and three nights on the open sea, we immediately realize that everything is different here. In the bay off Santiago de Cuba, on the eastern edge of the big island, men drift across the water on truck tubes, a paddle in one hand and a fishing line in the other. The sailing itself should also be somewhat unusual here in Cuba.
Continue reading →Cruising
Gallery – DR – South
After having passed the Mona Passage more or less successfully, we arrive again in crystal clear water and tropical beaches. Of course, not everything goes according to plan and we spend a whole week in the Zarpar Marina, where we bring Mabul back to shape.
Continue reading →Gallery – DR – Samana
We finally leave the charter stronghold behind us, and arrive in the most remote area yet. The gigantic Samana Bay in the Dominican Republic offers a dreamlike mangrove scenery, which we can share with guests on board.
Continue reading →Gallery – BVI
With a delay of three days we reach the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Here Jan and Florian from Berlin visit us. Just like us, they are not aware of what Mabul is planning to do with us here.
Continue reading →Gallery – St. Maarten
We have long awaited St. Maarten. Here is the Mecca of boat jobs, because really everything is available, reasonably priced and accordingly long is our To Do list. Here are the few beautiful moments off the bilge.
Continue reading →Gallery – Barbuda
Barbuda is the little sister island of Antigua and could not be more different. The beach paradise, at first glance pristine and barely built up, gradually turned out to be the new playground of the super rich. With them came excavators, fences, and lots of “Private Property” signs….
Continue reading →Gallery – Antigua
Coming from Guadeloupe we have an easy crossing to Antigua. We drop anchor in Jolly Harbour and circumnavigate the island with stops in Falmouth Bay and Green Island in a good two weeks.
Continue reading →Montserrat’s disasters
A small, at first glance inconspicuous, island in the Caribbean away from charter tourism catches our attention: Montserrat. Two natural disasters have struck the island in the past 30 years, and now almost two-thirds of the entire island is off-limits.
Continue reading →Gallery – Guadeloupe
Our route does not take us directly to Guadeloupe, we first land in Les Saintes and soon sail via Marie Galante to the main island. Here are the highlights of our discoveries.
Continue reading →Guadeloupe: Rhum and carnival
«Ten, nine, eight…..one! Happy New Year! Welcome 2023!»
A new year, a new life, a new island. We celebrate the turn of the year on SV Take 5 of Suzi and Emmanuel, together with our Dutch-Indian friends.