Isla Blanquilla

Isla Blanquilla is a national park and only about 50 feet high at the highest spot. 100 yards off the island the depth is 3000 feet and 50 yards off the depth is still 300 feet! The anchorages are deep as well (20+ feet) and care needs to be taken to anchor over sand. Coral is everywhere! We anchored right off of a fishing village...well what you might call one here...on the south end of the island near Playa Falucho late Saturday (April 25th 2009) when we arrived. We were the only two boats there until two fishing boats came by. Sunday morning both captains went aboard Hugo and sped off to the Venezuela Guarda Costa to present papers (and to hopefully prevent any reoccurance of the previous Friday night - my note here - Paul told me that the station was immaculate...the el hefe in charge was respectful and courteous to them - he was just very slow at writing down the information). J and I were on "our" channel keeping up with each other....she was cleaning...oh, darn...I guess I should too! Both showers cleaned and STILL Paul and P were not back! Then P radioed on the handheld to J that it was just taking a while but all was okay...whew!!! When they returned we just could no longer resist this crystal clear water...and put our snorkel gear on! Of course part of my gear is my camera...although I did only take the little one...(go ahead call me a scuba snob)...it was a beautiful snorkel...and pictures of course! Lots of small fry.... As soon as this young Green turtle saw me....he shot off so fast! The big fish is the initial phase of the Queen Parrotfish. Lots of Trumpetfish... Sand Divers....After lunch and a bit of a rest...we motored over to the west side...leeward side of the island Playa Yaque. This water is sooooo clear that on our way around we saw a Mahi Mahi swimming next to the boat and then cut around behind us! What a beautiful site this was...not on a hook...just doing it's natural thing...seeing the beautiful colors of this fish!! We anchored at kind of a "skinny" spot between two coral spots and Delphinus anchored over near the other two boats. We asked if there was room for us there...there was and we re-anchored over closer to them. So four boats in the anchorage...one we believe is a crewed charter from Pampatar...one we believe is a German flagged boat, Delphinus and us. Paul and I went in Hugo to explore perhaps another small anchorage a little north...while P&J cleaned up from their fresh water leak...since they were expecting company for dinner! Yes, that was us...wonderful sunset from the Delphinus...wonderful spagetti dinner...wonderful company...AND Mexican Train Dominos! This island is not really much of a windbreak it is so low lying. These two palm trees along the beach while a beautiful picture are no help whatsoever with the wind either! All night there was a freight train right next to us...it was blowing 25 plus knots...well maybe a wind generator freight train! Not sure if it was Delphinus or the German boat...but wow...they were making tons of electricity!!! And, now that I've blamed all the other boats....it turns out that it may be the wind strain on the Lady H rigging while holding Hugo up (lift it, lock it, or lose it)!Sunset from Isla Blanquilla. A Canadian boat anchored early Monday morning right behind us...a cat in front of us...and the crewed charter left. We went by the Canadian boat Artemo to say hello...I was feeling sad that our buddy boat (and friends) on Delphinus were planning on heading to St Thomas early Wednesday morning. We met Grahmn, Julie and their two very sweet and responsible children Alex and Amelia. Their plan was Los Roques and Bonaire...wonderful...they were talking Wednesday as well...a new "buddy"! The wind was still howling pretty good so after Paul helped P with his watermaker and a quick reconisance...P&J and Paul and I lifted anchor and went to the north bay of Playa Yaque. Much quieter here...although still windy...again the water so clear...we just had to...jump in and snorkel. Paul, J and I as P was concentrating on the bottom of Delphinus. Small camera again. This too was a beautiful snorkel...the sun however was behind clouds...so we could have had more light. It was also deeper for the most part here. But here are some pictures (did you expect less - Ha ha ha?). Smooth Trunkfish (I do believe the one was blowing me a kiss)...a French Angelfish Intermediate that really wanted his/her picture taken...a Scrawled Filefish who didn't want his/her picture taken... Paul believes that below the cliffs or shelves that are here...there are LOBSTER...so he wanted to scuba...plus snorkeling is harder on his neck than scuba...so we planned for the next day! Beer happy hour and Mexican Train Dominos (Snake to the Brits)...what we put up with but such fun...
Paul and I went in for a dive on Tuesday...and a FIRST...Paul caught his FIRST lobster!!! His intensity and zeal...well...on the second lobster the first one got away...BUT...when it is lobster season again...lobsters beware where ever we are...he knows he can do it!!! I took the big camera and got a few shots in...(Ballonfish) in between watching after Paul...Bicolor Damselfish...and J had my small camera so this is one taken by her of Paul and I! Honeycomb Cowfish....

Stoplight Parrotfish and Juvenile Yellowtail Damselfish...

Tuesday evening Paul was cooking the last of our Petite St Vincent lobster (and P&J brought over some steak and their lobster) as a fairwell feast! Complete with Paul's garlic bread!! Garlic being a speciality on the Lady H. One thought lead to another...and...we were having a feast...with no fairwell!!! Yes, they made a decision to sail to Los Roques with us (and Artemo) on Wednesday afternoon on an overnight...and then day hop it all the way to Bonaire!!