the ROCK
We finally left Curacao Marine on Wednesday for a leisurely cruise along the Curacao coast to anchor the night in a small bay in the far west corner of the island in preperation for a 3.00am start the next day.
Our destination was Monjes Del Sur 103 miles from Curacao which consists of two large rocks in the Gulfo De Venezuelia. The Venezuluelians had decided to claim the rocks and have built a rock dam between them. The anchorage consists of an inch and a half rope stretching behind the rock wall which the boats are meant to hang off. Although it is rather strange it does seem to work as the wind almost always blows from the east. Any more than 5 boats then it can be a little difficult getting the line on to the rope, especially when you have 25 knots blowing. Although we were the last boat to arrive that evening , most of the rope had been taken up, but fortuneately a yacht was just leaving which enabled us to squeeze in – not with out drama of course! With the help of our cruising buddies Peter and Nani (‘Joule’) and Derrick and Anika (‘Narid’), who coincidentally where in the same anchorage, we managed to safely tie up.
On the rock there are at least 10 Venezulian Navy personnel who were extremely friendly and gave us a guided tour of the area including a climb to the top of the light house. Quite what their job is I’m not sure. I suppose its a way of ensuring that the rock remains in Venezuelian ownership as it is only 15 miles off the Colombian coast.
