The Return...

---

During the summer of 2014, James and I covered 1225 nautical miles sailing the Caribbean Sea from Sinc Maarten/St. Martin (Lesser Antilles) to Cuba – with stops at Soper’s Hole, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic. We motor-sailed into Santiago de Cuba on the last fumes of diesel and with barely a breeze. After a visit to the historic city of Santiago, we left Magic Badger tied to the government dock and traveled across the Sierra Maestra Mountains to Baracoa. After the white-knuckle ride to and from Baracoa, we set sail along Cuba’s southern shore to Bahia de Jagua and Cienfuegos. (Please see older blogs for impressions and photos.) As summer waned and fall began, we left Magic Badgerin good hands at Marlin Marina and flew home. A couple days before the winter solstice (2014), we returned to Cuba.

Our first week back in Cuba finds us remembering how to relax despite the long list of chores to complete: move dinghy from bow to water, mainsail from cabin to boom, and restock the galley to name a few. We also buy bus tickets to travel overland from Cienfuegos to Santa Clara and Holguin where the bus trip ends. From there we will taxi to Moa and on to Baracoa on the north (Atlantic) shore. Hasta la próxima (until next time).

---

Photos

Placid waters, clear skies and warm temperatures greet us. Photo: Kathryn MacDonald©

Large tour boats slip past, creating wakes that rock boats at anchor and those like us tied to the dock. Photo: Kathryn MacDonald©

Fishing guys provide theatre as we sip a "cool one" on deck. Photo: Kathryn MacDonald©

In the heat of the day, I find shade beneath a spreading tree near the customs office, while out on the bay Cuban youth learn to sail a flotilla of tiny boats and fishermen drift slowly toward the channel. Photo: Kathryn MacDonald©