Saturday, November 21, 2015
Windarra at Ushuaia
Friday, November 20, 2015
Ushuaia, Argentina
54 48.826 S, 068 18.360 W Ushuaia, Argentina
This morning we got up early had showers and we were ready to leave at 8 am. Unfortunately, two large rigged inflatable boats were rafted behind us so we had to wait until the owners arrived and they moved so we could get out of the taggle of boats and lines. By 10 am we were leaving Puerto Williams. As our luck continues with wind on the nose we motored our way to Ushuaia about 28 nautical miles west of Puerto Williams and across the Beagle Channel. Rich and I had visited here last March when we went on the cruise to Antarctica. It was our first time on Windarra.
After some confusion communication with the Argentinian armada, we docked and then got a taxi ride to the Officina Antarctica, aka the Coast Guard office, and checked in. All forms in quadruple but they supplied some carbon paper to help. First time I have used carbon paper in a long time. The officer was very nice, he stamped our passports and then sent us on to Customs or Aduana, which was across the street. We gave them two of the four copies, the officer kept two and after a bit we had a temporary import permit for Windarra, good for 8 months.
To celebrate after a stop at the atm, we went to the restaurant/bakery we had found on our last visit. We had great bread, excellent salad and we shared a lamb dish that was wonderful. We also bought some croissants for brekkie and a betard. Argentina bread is so much better than Chilean.
We walked back to Windarra and relaxing. Tomorrow we need to buy some new fender as ours are pretty sad and there is supposed to be some strong winds on Sunday and Monday. We also plan to do some provisioning as well.
We are watching for a weather window to start heading east towards Estrecho de Le Maire. This strait is fairly notorious so we want to make sure we not only time it correctly but had the right weather pattern. Then we head north.
Cheers
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
This morning we got up early had showers and we were ready to leave at 8 am. Unfortunately, two large rigged inflatable boats were rafted behind us so we had to wait until the owners arrived and they moved so we could get out of the taggle of boats and lines. By 10 am we were leaving Puerto Williams. As our luck continues with wind on the nose we motored our way to Ushuaia about 28 nautical miles west of Puerto Williams and across the Beagle Channel. Rich and I had visited here last March when we went on the cruise to Antarctica. It was our first time on Windarra.
After some confusion communication with the Argentinian armada, we docked and then got a taxi ride to the Officina Antarctica, aka the Coast Guard office, and checked in. All forms in quadruple but they supplied some carbon paper to help. First time I have used carbon paper in a long time. The officer was very nice, he stamped our passports and then sent us on to Customs or Aduana, which was across the street. We gave them two of the four copies, the officer kept two and after a bit we had a temporary import permit for Windarra, good for 8 months.
To celebrate after a stop at the atm, we went to the restaurant/bakery we had found on our last visit. We had great bread, excellent salad and we shared a lamb dish that was wonderful. We also bought some croissants for brekkie and a betard. Argentina bread is so much better than Chilean.
We walked back to Windarra and relaxing. Tomorrow we need to buy some new fender as ours are pretty sad and there is supposed to be some strong winds on Sunday and Monday. We also plan to do some provisioning as well.
We are watching for a weather window to start heading east towards Estrecho de Le Maire. This strait is fairly notorious so we want to make sure we not only time it correctly but had the right weather pattern. Then we head north.
Cheers
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Weather window
A wish for more days like this one....
We are waiting for our weather window to leave Puerto Williams, go west to Ushuaia, check into Argentina. After some more provisioning we will head east in the Beagle Channel, find a spot to wait for winds and current in the right direction to head through Estrecho de Le Maire and on to Mar del Plata.
But now we have strong winds and snow. At least we are able to do some projects inside.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
New Batteries
Before we leave for Argentina and beyond we have some projects
to do.
With help from James Burwick of Anasazi Ltda., we were able
to purchase 3 Toyama AGM batteries, 200 amp hours each, from Joachin at Imre in
the duty free zone of Punta Arenas. The batteries were delivered to the same
ferry we rode to Puerto Williams.
On Nov. 5, James and his friend Sam helped schlep the
batteries from the Micalvi, over Anasazi Girl then onto Windarra. At 142 pounds
each, we were grateful for the help. We had taken the aft stateroom bed apart
so that the old Lifeline batteries could be removed and the new Toyamas
installed. One of the three batteries was installed under the Nav station as
well.
James has been very helpful to us. Not only has he helped
with the batteries but also with getting fuel and other services. It helps
having someone who is fluent in English, his native language but his command of
Spanish is far superior to ours making him an invaluable resource for the
cruising community here at the Micalvi. You may reach him at Facebook.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Springtime?
According to the calendar it is springtime in the Southern Hemisphere. It does not feel that way as the snow accumulates on the deck and everything else. I think we will stay inside and continue with projects.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Snow in Los Dientes
This morning at was clear, sunny and crisp. Since we arrived on Saturday morning we have been working on Windarra, testing systems and cleaning after the six months of cold weather in the Southern Hemisphere. We are glad that there was much less mildew than we expected but still requires a wipe down with diluted bleach. Today was a bit of a setback with the heater, as it decided to stop working, but Rich persevered, got out the vacuum cleaner and cleaned the burner can - a sooty job, replaced the injector and did some other magic and we are back being toasty again. The time is perfect as the winds have piped up to the 20 knot range and there are raindrops too.
The ferry ride was comfortable as we were in Cama class, meaning the seats fully reclined to flat horizontal. The movies were the exact same as the trip we made last April but not a loud. The weather was perfect and great daylight views of the glaciers in the Beagle Channel. The ferry skipper even diverted to provide a closer view. After dropping off a few passengers, the ferry anchored in the flat, calm harbor and we enjoyed a good night of sleep. Saturday morning was busy, offloading our luggage - 4 suitcases, 2 backpacks and 4 boxes of food from Punta Arenas. Later in the morning Rich went with Francesco to pick up our 3 AGM batteries.
Still plenty to do.....
Above is a photo of Los Dientes from Windarra's bow and then looking astern at SV La Cardinale and the mountains of Tierra del Fuego in the distance.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Passing through Punta Arenas
53 10.021 S, 070 54.785 W Punta Arenas
After almost six months in the United States, it was time to return to Windarra and cruising.
Monday afternoon we left Seattle and Tuesday evening we arrived at Punta Arenas after stops in Dallas, Santiago and Puerto Montt. James of SV Anasazi Girl met us at the airport with his friend, Dan, who lives in Punta Arenas and has a truck to help us get our 4 suitcases and 2 backpacks to our hostel, Rentahome.
James and his wife, Somira plus kids Tormentina, Raivol and Pearl have been taking care of Windarra in Puerto Williams and are visiting Punta Arenas. They are a big help to us. Today James helped us coordinate having our new AGM batteries transferred to the Yaghan, the ferry we will take on Thursday to Puerto Williams.
This afternoon we went to the Hiper Lidor, one of the large supermarkets here in Punta Arenas. We stocked up on items that we can not get in Puerto Williams, like Heinz ketchup, cream of mushroom soup, peanut butter and dry salami. Now in addition to our luggage we have 4 boxes of food to take along.
Even though the calendar indicates it is spring time in the Southern Hemisphere, the air is nippy, wind and whitecaps on the straits of Magellan and snow on the mountains of Tierra deal Fuego. Tomorrow we will board the ferry for our two night journey through the canals.
Sent from SV Windarra iPad
After almost six months in the United States, it was time to return to Windarra and cruising.
Monday afternoon we left Seattle and Tuesday evening we arrived at Punta Arenas after stops in Dallas, Santiago and Puerto Montt. James of SV Anasazi Girl met us at the airport with his friend, Dan, who lives in Punta Arenas and has a truck to help us get our 4 suitcases and 2 backpacks to our hostel, Rentahome.
James and his wife, Somira plus kids Tormentina, Raivol and Pearl have been taking care of Windarra in Puerto Williams and are visiting Punta Arenas. They are a big help to us. Today James helped us coordinate having our new AGM batteries transferred to the Yaghan, the ferry we will take on Thursday to Puerto Williams.
This afternoon we went to the Hiper Lidor, one of the large supermarkets here in Punta Arenas. We stocked up on items that we can not get in Puerto Williams, like Heinz ketchup, cream of mushroom soup, peanut butter and dry salami. Now in addition to our luggage we have 4 boxes of food to take along.
Even though the calendar indicates it is spring time in the Southern Hemisphere, the air is nippy, wind and whitecaps on the straits of Magellan and snow on the mountains of Tierra deal Fuego. Tomorrow we will board the ferry for our two night journey through the canals.
Sent from SV Windarra iPad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)