Caribbean Cruising Logs and Web Sites 2007
| Year 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
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What are sailors saying about Venezuela? We are pleased to present cruising logs and other writings about Venezuela by people who have cruised our waters and traveled our country. If you have a story you would like to share, please email the: Webmaster. |
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Index 2007 » Caribbean Soul » Bob and Sue Franklin's Pipe Dream » Venezuela Briefly » Our Cruising Dream » Always 92 degrees and sunny! » Ka'imi Sailing and Cruising Adventures » SHIBUMI Sails to Venezuela in 2006 |
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 Iguana on Bahia Redonda grounds |
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Bob Franklin, one of the most knowledgeable power boaters I have ever met, lived in Houston as a teenager and started sailing on the Gulf of Mexico from Galveston. Now in his 80s, he has spent most of his married life with wife Susan in boats, around boats, or messing with boats. Bob met Susan, an Austrian/American, when she was in Madeira, Portugal, on a holiday. The two married in 1974 in Nevada and their boating adventures began. Susan attended Annapolis Sailing School and, after sailing the California coast with friends, the couple moved to the East Coast where they bought a 16’ Bayliner. In 1986 they moved to Florida and bought Pipe Dream 1, a 34’ SeaRay flybridge, on which they cruised the west coast of Florida. The friendly couple is now based out of Bahia Redonda in Puerto la Cruz where Bob, known as “The Mayor,” says, “Like hundreds of expatriate cruisers, we love South America where we can travel by land or sea. We have enjoyed the ABCs, many of the Los Roques Islands, Margarita, Los Testigos, Blanquia and the Aves.” Bob and Susan recently returned, by air, to Florida for medical check-ups. However, Pipe Dream IV is still at Bahia Redonda so we know they will show up any day now. I speak for everyone at the marina when I say, “Hurry back-we miss you.” More... Webmaster's note: I'm sad to report that Susan passed away in her sleep in Florida. |
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 Hello World Vancouver 34 Classic This is what you call living! Cubagua is a strange island. For all the world like a big sandbank in the middle of the sea. But there's treasure in them thar sand dunes - or at least there used to be. Who knows, probably still is. More... |
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 Wayne and Nancy with cake We sailed into Bahia Redonda Marina in Puerto La Cruz enjoying many playful dolphins along the way, and set dock and mooring lines. We were greeted by a 4' iguana sunbathing on the dock. Many cruisers have been here for a year or more and there is a strong camaraderie among the cruisers. A group of 6 boats will be pulling out after Thanksgiving for the islands of Tortuga and Los Roques. November 23 we sailed to Chumana to meet Jeannie and Bob on Island Dreamin' from Margarita. We anchored overnight and then buddy-boated back to Bahia Redonda. We joined many other cruisers in a Thanksgiving celebration at The Ancla Restaurant at the Marina for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. What a wonderful way to celebrate all we have to be thankful for. More... |
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 Dream Chaser getting splashed There are many shops and nice things within the complex at the marina; including 3 travel agents, a small boat shop outlet and paint shop, a doctor/dentist office, a mini mart, condos/apartments, copy/internet/phone services, a spa with yoga, massage and acupuncture therapy, two upholstery shops, a laundry service, a nice big pool, water aerobics, BBQ deck, and a restaurant. The docks are very nice with potable water and the brick sidewalks wind around and are lined with palm trees with white Christmas lights wrapped around the trunks. More... |
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 Bird's eye view with a fish-eye lens There are several Marinas in the area, Bahia Redonda is the first one, right on the other side of the breakwater. It's the largest facility and has a capacity for 150 boats up to 100 ft. long. We have a swimming pool, a restaurant and bar, a little store, a laundry, marine stores and sail makers all on-site. Just outside the gate are local eating places where you can get fish and chicken. More... |
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 These people really party! July 3rd found us in Bahia Redonda Marina just in time for the July 4th party at their dinghy bar restaurant, El Ancha. The next day, July 5th, was Venezuela’s Independence Day so a good time continued on ... and on ... and on. These people really party! Bahia Redonda is the premier marina in the Puerto La Cruz area. Good security, fine people, cats to monitor the mice population, dogs to monitor the cat population, guards with guns at all gates to monitor the human population, an active cruiser community, safe water, electricity, cable, and, most of the time, wireless internet. More... |
