Cap Cana Marina and Resort - Continued

The resort covers about 3,000 acres. The marina, though huge, is only about 10% of the property. So one day we rented an electric golf cart to see more of it. We drove about 4 miles southward and arrived at the Zona Hotel (Hotel Zone) on prime beachfront property. There are three major hotel chains in various stages of completion.
The one that has been completed is owned by a Spanish company, and this hotel is called "Secrets", which seems appropriate to us, since we think it is the best kept secret in the Caribbean.
The hotel zone has at least 3 miles of pristine beaches, all behind protective reefs, creating a wonderful sunning, swimming and snorkeling environment. Beach toys, such as kyaks, volleyball nets, soccer nets and balls are all available. Beachside Tiki Huts, manned by smiling attendants, provide cool drinks, hot dogs, hamburgers and local specialties, delivered to your lounge chair on the beach. Even horseback riding is available at the more remote beach areas. (so ya don't step in the horse poop while playing on the beach)

At the end of the day, we returned to one of the lovely restaurants at the marina, located no more than 20 yards from our dock!
These are our friends, Luis (bartender), Fausto (maitre'd), and Victor.
Walt and Fausto, sharing a moment. These people are so friendly, lively and helpful.
Rear view of "Secrets" hotel complex.
Setting up for a reception at the hotel.
"Secrets" Hotel, overlooking pool area.
Note the swim-up bar!
Lobby of "Secrets"
Approaching lobby of "Secrets" Hotel
Entry sign for "Secrets"
View of "Secrets" from the road. Looks like Spain!

We spent a lovely afternoon here, sipping drinks, conversing with a couple of guests, and one of the main real estate agents. We acquired a working knowledge of how homes, condos, and building sites are sold and managed (at least Susan did!) For retirees with investment money available, these properties are definitely worth a look. It feels like a combination of the best features of Monterrey, Pebble Beach, Miami, and the Mediterranean!

We also saw a lovely beachside wedding taking place, along with the subsequent private reception. No, we didn't crash the wedding!

PARADISE FOUND !!

Finally, on Wednesday, February 24th, we took advantage of the perfect weather day to make the 80 mile crossing of the Mona Passage from Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic. We left Boqueron at 5:00am, arriving at Punta Cana Marina at 3:30 pm. Smooth seas, cooperative currents, and almost no wind makes life perfect for us cruisers (at least the ones without sails!)

We had planned to put in at the Punta Cana marina, but when we called them on VHF, nobody could speak English! So we found ourselves at the brand-new Cap Cana Marina, just next door, since they had English speaking folks answering our VHF calls for assistance. What a wonderful, serendipitous event!

This place is FABULOUS! And it is still only 20% completed. For the complete picture, go to their website:
http://www.golfcapcana.com/?page=10022

It is a combination of Mediterranean architecture, high-tech marina, miles of unspoiled, uncrowded beaches, fine restaurants, wonderful staff, warm weather and crystal clear Caribbean waters. And did mention golf? Three separate courses so far...

One of six marina basins.
In March, they are hosting one of the Senior PGA tournaments here.

For you yachtsmen, this is the entry channel into Cap Cana Marina. A straight, well-marked, dredged channel through the offshore reefs.
One of the walkways/cart paths on the property.
Susan and Molly on the bridge over one of the many lovely beachside pools.
View of the beach beyond one of the pools in the Marina area. Hawaii's got nothin' on this place!
Spa and pool beachside. And yes, that is a swim-up bar beyond the little bridge.
Beachside condo's.
Susan and Molly on the beach.
There are miles of white, powdery sand beaches. This is one of the small sections near the marina.
Looking back toward restaurants and shopping area.
Another of several yacht basins, lined by condo's, shops, and restaurants. Looks like the Med!
Walt and Molly enjoy a walk. Notice the crowds? NOT!

Esperanza to Salinas to Boqueron

Monday, February 15, we made the 50 mile run from Esperanza, Viequez over to Salinas Bay, on the south coast of Puerto Rico. We woke early, and left the bay at 5:30am, arriving in Salinas harbor at1:15pm.

Salinas, on the southern coast of Puerto Rico is a long, narrow harbor, surrounded by mangroves. It is fairly shallow, but the barrier islets and the mangroves offer complete protection from sea surge and wind from any direction. It is as still as a mill pond in there. The main harbor is thick with mooring balls, which we seldom use because of KINGDOM's size and weight. So we anchored in the outer harbor in about 11 feet of water.

Tuesday morning, Feb 16, we were on our way at 8:00am for the 60 mile leg to Boqueron Bay, on the Southwestern coast of Puerto Rico. We had a following sea, with 5' waves powering us along. We were making 8+ knots most of the way. But it is a bit disconcerting to have the stern lift up five or six feet, which points the bow down, and then up again as the wave passes under the boat from stern to bow. Sort of riding a roller coaster backwards, if you can get the picture.
We arrived in Boqueron at 4:00pm, tired and thirsty. We had a beer aboard and went to bed.

We had made friends with some of the local folks on our way down-island. So on Wednesday evening we arranged to meet them (Stan and Rita) for drinks at the "Sunrise Sunset Bar" near the dinghy dock. We put our dinghy in the water, all ready to go, and the battery was dead. Fortunately, we have a portable battery charger, which put a nice fresh charge in the battery in 45 minutes. (We had inadvertently left a switch on when we loaded the dinghy in St. Thomas.)

A great time was had by all, along with many cervezas.

We stayed in Boqueron until Wednesday, February 16th, awaiting perfect weather conditions to cross the Mona Passage to the Dominican Republic. It rained for several days, and we mostly hibernated aboard the boat, reading and relaxing.

Walt also researched an electrical problem with our small generator, aided by two new friends, Tony and David. They are from Michigan, and have family in PR, whom they visit for a couple of months each year.

Speaking of pictures, we didn't take any in Salinas or Boqueron. We photo-documented these places pretty well in previous blogs on our way South. And they haven't changed much.
Still beautiful...

St. Thomas to Esperanza, Vieques

We departed St. Thomas on Valentines Day, February 14th. It was only a 40 mile run to Esperanza, on the Spanish Virgin Island of Vieques (Part of the USVI, governed by Puerto Rico). We pulled up our hook at 9:10am, and were in Esperanza Bay by 3:15pm.
The bay is on the southern coast of Vieques. It has a wide entry, and is protected from the East, West, and North. Guess which way the waves were coming from...You guessed it - the South!
We tucked in as best we could behind this spit of land, but spent a somewhat rolly night. Not too bad, since the waves were quite small.

The local guys know how to do it. They drop a bow anchor, then run a line to shore, keeping their bow into the waves.
We were there on Sunday afternoon. The locals were definitely enjoying the beach.
This is just another example of the thousands of wonderful beaches in the islands. Even though it was Sunday, there were no crowds.
The beach here in this bay is about a mile long.

Marina Mascot

At Sapphire Bay Marina, in St. Thomas, this iguana was sort of the Marina Mascot. We think he liked hanging out with us, since the big iguanas on the beach were mean to him...

Wha 'chu lookin' at, honky?
This guy was about 3 feet long. Probably just a teenager. We saw much larger ones on the beach, but didn't have the camera handy.