We left Port Elizabeth on Bequia with the grief, but ultimately very excited (about the voyage from Bequia you can read a story “Cruise to Dominica” here). Since that moment our life had to be concentrated on two groups of events.
The first group was a series of failures of electronic equipment, which was surprising us regularly every few days and started with a long agony of our camera. Then it went to the momentum. Pat’s computer screen backlight went off (funny thing that in such a situation you still can see a bit but only in good sunlight or a flashlight). Then Mik’s computer got a Trojan so we had to set the new system and first of course, backup all the data to an external hard drive. Continuing:

• hand helm - broken charger,
• Radio VHF  - damaged cable (so we  have no radio communication with other yachts nor land based support),
• external drive case - broken (which means we don’t have access to our data).
• What’s more, power supply for computer, rechargeable battery charger and MP3 player simply refused the cooperation...

Little by little we eventually managed to overcome most of these problems. 

The second group of events was about our intensive work on the yacht. Some of the jobs were caused by normal failures and the rest was earlier planned.
YouYou more and more was nicely surprising us with her possibilities but there were also a few unpleasant surprises - especially our "newly renovated" (in Trinidad) engine made us a lot of troubles (Have you seen the movie from it’s first start still on hard in TT? If not, it’s here) 

At each island we stopped - the local engine “guru” had his own explanation to the problem (no oil pressure) and his own solutions. To save precious time and money, dismantling and assembling the engine & its components - and then merging everything in one piece – I did by myself. I even practiced to do it on time ;) 

Every new leg of our journey started with the engine running properly, and ended with "no engine". 

As a result, after an exchange / repair / service / check (in arbitrary order) of almost all elements of the system and after many discussions (including telephone ones with Dad of Patricia) and many times dismantling and assembling of engine - our microscopic Yanmar finally “spoke with a human voice” and we agreed eventually: we decided not to make any more problems to each other ;)

Independently of that, we managed to get a second similar engine for spare parts ;) - a real treat, considering the age and uniqueness of our Yanmar. 

List of works on the boat also included:

• sewing all the sails (their reinforcing & few repairs - a total of several hours working in 2 shifts),

• touch-ups on the hull and deck (small scratches made while living on YouYou for a year, including already 6 months in water),
• varnishing of almost all wooden elements on deck,superstructure and in the cocpit,
• the refurbishment of our "new" dinghy (you are welcome to see that progress in our PHOTOSTORIES very soon),

• making new washboards – “the doors” to the mess and workshop ;)
• making the cradle on deck for our dinghy,
• service of genua roller and rigging adjustment,
• a modification of the steering system,

and in our spare time also:

• sewing pillow covers (we have a hand driven sewing machine!),
• making a wooden shelve for our VHF radio,
• a modification of the automatic bilge pump system,
• repair/restoration of our aft cabin sliding hatch,
• V-berth cabin hatch repairs

and others (see the first group). :))
These were beautiful "vacations" in the Caribbean! :))) 
Indeed, beautiful! Very busy though :) 

Dominica 04-20.05.2009 
We were astonished by splendid richness of fruits & vegetables 

and the lush wild vegetation in Dominica. 

People live there mostly very humble, are very friendly and open. Most part of the island is covered by crops and plantations. Fishing plays an almost negligible role. The island is also known of hundreds of species of birds including two kinds of parrots, unparalleled anywhere else (that bird is also the symbol of Dominica – placed even on it’s national flag), and the multitude of boat trips up the rivers in a company of local guides. 


The richness of the scenery is breathtaking. Dominica is known for its magnificent mountains, 365 rivers, spectacular waterfalls and nature reserves 

(including one underwater!) and the second largest after New Zealand's "boiling lake"! 


YouYou dropped it’s anchor in Prince Rupert Bay on the northern part of the island, not far from the volcano ... 


Unfortunately, since we left Trinidad our camera has been dying slowly and more frequently was refusing to cooperate. It got broken completely(?) during the cruise to Dominika... We don’t have so many pictures from that period... Later, however, we luckily managed to restore it to life on several occasions, and we made a few shots from this wonderful island :) 


Our stay in Dominica 

was mainly busy with work on a yacht (see the list in the beginning of that story...) and "fighting" with the engine. Although it was a very hectic period, we found a bit of time to explore... In fact, we were still in hurry to St. Martin, to jump from there to Jamaica. 

I know it's not the proportions we should apply while travelling on the yacht ;) Well, we were rising our spirits thinking this is a new boat for us and a "virgin voyage” for her, to see and overcome all  the faults. After that, nothing special should no longer appear :) and then we will be able to fully devote ourselves to exploring the land :) 

The second day we moved the boat away from the busy northern anchorage (vis a vis Portsmouth), to the remote and quiet southern part of the bay. 

In a distance of maybe 50 meters from the beach we set our main CQR anchor in the finely sculpted, sandy bottom on three meters of crystal clear water. 50 meters away from us there was another yacht on the anchor, with the Brazilian flag. 

In front of us there was a beautiful beach with dark fine sand and tall palm trees and several buildings of nearby resort. In the distance, mountain tops of Dominica covered in clouds... 

It seemed that we had found the right place :) 

Projeto Amices 

We quickly found out who our neighbours were: three young Brazilians. 

Photo: Courtasy of Projeto Amices

Like us, they had decided to abandon the hectic life in a crowded city, to experience the adventure of life close to nature. 


While still in Brazil, they bought their yacht in the Caribbean through the Internet! Shortly after that they arrived at St. Martin, to prepare her for the conquest of Windward Islands :) 


The crew of Alma Livre is an excellent adventurous mixture of characters: Captain Danilo, Cook Daniel and Musician Gabriel. They travel from island to island and explore as much as possible. We spent together few very nice moments with live music (variations for flute and guitar) and many discussions about freedom, happiness, choices we have in life, Brazilian music, diving, sailing and adventure... 

How we found out, the guys have plans to spend the season in the Caribbean and then sail to the Northern Europe! You can follow their adventures on www.projetoamices.com 

Photo: Courtasy of Projeto Amices

Our new Brazilian friends soon have sailed to Martinique, and we did a summary of stay in Dominica: the engine on the boat repaired (…) with the help of local mechanics, sails repaired, our hardware problems partially resolved, the water tank full, as well as hammocks & cupboards filled with provisioning. “It seems that we are ready to go! Finally, we are able to explore the island a little bit” :)

We didn’t want to explore  Dominica in the company of guides. Although expensive, this is the best way to get to know Dominica – it’s nature 

and the richness of local culture. 

We chose to walk to the nearby volcano. (See PHOTOSTORY from the trip soon!). 
It was our only expedition to see the island. Time was short – we spent on Dominica a total of more than two weeks and we had planned before to stay there only for two days... 

END OF PART I