Well, maybe harrowing was an exageration! But long yes, too long!

At 7 am eight guys and a young girl boarded Faraway to clear it to leave the country. Since the guy from the marina was also there, the only one who dared charge us something was the army guy (20dollars) and the only one who did something useful was the girl: she stamped our passports.
It was raining so we had to wait until it stopped and did not leave until 8:30. The first three hours were torture. The DR did not want us to leave and kept embracing us and pushing us back with big waves and strong winds and squalls. But we dug our heels and went on. Actually I dug my bottom in the little hole in front os the companionwayn behind the wheel so I would not be thrown about while Juan valiantly braved on. Of course I had to warn him not to dream of start fiddling and checking and opening the engine because there was no way I was getting out from my trench!
But after the last squall passed we finally got the weather we had been promised; light winds and long six foot rollers. We had decided to cross South of the Mona so as soon as we were on the lee of the islands it flattened completely, we hoisted the sails (we had the jib out but we furled it and then opened it again) and sailed on. As we turned the corner of the Mona we could see PR in the distance! But the NE wind we had been promised became SE, on our nose.
The greatest problem we had with Faraway was speed. We were dragging it. I guess the bottom must be really bad! So a trip that should have taken ten hours took fifteen! By the time we dropped the anchor in Boqueron it was past midnight.
When we were approaching Boqueron we noticed the batteries were not charging, so this morning Juan tightened the alternator belt and checked the connections and we are again charging. The one casualty os the crossing was our VHF. I went down to rest my back at one point in the afternoon and he must have kicked it as he leaned to fiddle with the sails. He never saw it go!
We have a gourgeous day, a nice breeze, on our nose of course and if all goes well we should be in Ponce by 3.
PS: the engine purrs after Juan's Cuban mechanic fixed it but it still leaks oil and/or transmission fluid. He is not sure.
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