14 July Arrival Bonaire

I can declare the weather forecast was wildly inaccurate. Our estimated 2 ½ day trip took 3 ¼ days due to a lot less wind. Fifteen gusting 20 knots were more 10 gusting 14 knots from behind, but clear skies and a very relaxed sail. We had dolphins swimming faster than we were moving, but it was easy to sleep on your off watch. No hardship whatsoever. A flying fish landed on deck and made a tasty snack for the ship's cat.

Our fastest sail of the trip was after we'd turned the southern point of the island and coming up the east coast to Kralendijk. Typical!

Our first observation is the number of new buildings extending along the shoreline – more hotels, more villas. Next a very warm welcome in the marina. To preserve the seabed anchoring is forbidden anywhere around the island. You can either take a mooring or go in the marina. It's a small marina, part of a hotel complex, 60 berths total and most of those are local and commercial boats. We went on the wait list four months ago and only got confirmation of our place two weeks ago. Our dock is the one with visitor boats with owners living on board – just 6 of the 30 boats.

Safely tied alongside first order when arriving in a new country is to check in. We pull out our folding bikes from the garage and cycle to Customs and Immigration, a mile+ south of the marina near the cruise terminal. It feels so good to be here as we pedal along the seafront promenade. We do Customs first but have to come back to complete Immigration when the officer is back from the airport. It's easy and it's friendly. As a consequence of UK leaving the EU we can only stay for 90 days. American passport holders have 6 months.

a gift from Neptune

land ahoy!