Whisper has sails!

November 9, 2007

After spending five months as a powerboat stuck in Luperon Harbor, we finally bent Whisper's sails back on today! Puerto Rico, here we come!

more pictures from the States

November 7, 2007

Here are some more pictures from our trip to the States. Our internet connection died in the middle of our last posting.


Hans and Matt hiking in York, ME.


Hans and Suzanne at Springweather Nature Area in N. Springfield,


We just kept hiking...Abbey with the rest of the Snow Day crew at Cascades Waterfall on Mt. Ascutney.


Hans Laura and Kristen at Moynihans in Worcester enjoying some Long Trail on tap.


Helen (Kristen's mom) serving up some pumpkin soup on Halloween. Thanks for the pumpkin Suzanne!


We just keep on hiking...Kristen and Rod (Kristen's Dad) at the top of Putney Mountain.


Abbey, Hans and Matthew on one of Vermont's many covered bridges. Hey Abbey and Matthew...you're in for it. you know that, right?


Matthew carving out his jack-o-lantern and Suzanne saving the seeds for roasting.

Life in a pinball machine.

November 7, 2007

We returned to Luperon, Whisper and Kit Kat yesterday after a whirlwind tour of New England. There were many busy days and lots of traveling, but it was great to see so many friends and family. We jumped from Boston to Vermont to Maine back to Vermont, Hans did a short stint in NYC, and then we met back in Worcester, MA for a couple nights before going to Casey and Dan’s spectacular wedding on Cape Cod. Then it was back to Boston in order to fly back to the DR. Whew!


Kristen & Rod in the truck racing to get Suz to the train station on time.


Kate and Kristen



Casey & Dan... Mr. & Mrs. "B" See you in the Virgins!



Hot chicks!


More hot chicks!


Simon and Lucy at Schoodic Point, Maine.



Simon and Emma at Schoodic Point, Maine




Sarah, Emma, Simon and Lucy


Winter Harbor, Maine (look at all the pretty boats!)


We love our life on Whisper and traveling around, but we miss our friends and family a lot so we returned to Whisper with mixed feelings. It was sad to leave but it is exciting to prepare and look forward to the next 6 months of traveling in the Caribbean. We plan on leaving here in a week or so headed for Puerto Rico. From there, we’ll skirt the southern coast of PR to the Spanish Virgins, then to the Virgin Islands and onwards to St. Martin, Barbuda, etc. Yes, blog entries will become much more interesting as we start sailing again!

huh? solid land?

October 16, 2007

Greetings from land-locked Vermont! We're in Kristen's home state visiting friends and family for a few weeks. It's a lot of fun to see everyone again and to live with the comforts of a land-based life, including a big-screen TV to watch the Red Sox in the playoffs. Go Red Sox!

Luperon Harbor. Can anyone pick out Whisper?

Green Cay in the Bahamas, halfway between the Exumas and Andros.

This guy was on the flight from Miami to Boston. Obviously he forgot to dress for the Massachusetts fall.

A rude awakening upon arrival in Boston: fog, rain and 45 degrees.

Luperon's finest are part of a special program with the Massachusetts State government.



Rod and Hans at Harlow's Farm south of Bellows Falls...how do you pick out the right pumpkin?

The beaver pond across the street from Kristen's parents' house.

Allaire cooking a great Vermont harvest dinner: butternut squash stuffed with sausage and apples, homemade french bread and roasted vegetables from the garden. Topped of with homemade apple pie for dessert. YUM!

The Vermont State House in Montpelier.

A view near Barre, Vermont.



Rock of the Ages granite quarry in Barre, Vermont.

Not for sensitive eyes...

October 6, 2007

The thing about thongs that everyone should know is that the wearing of them in public, like spandex, is a privilege, not a right.

This morning that privilege was violated, disturbing our Saturday morning breakfast and causing appetites to be lost on Whisper. Even Kit Kat stopped yowling for food.

Just your average retired cruiser...

Who also happens to wear a thong.

In other news, we're steadily ticking off jobs on the list of projects to complete before we leave for the States on Thursday. Yesterday we both went to the dentist for cleanings and washed and waxed Whisper's hull. Today Hans will complete some engine maintenance and Kristen will work on varnishing the exterior woodwork. That is if we can recover from this morning's thong sighting.

no more treats for the fat cat!

The infamous to-do list.

Three amigos in the DR

October 1, 2007

We spent the last week hanging out with Laura who came to visit us here. We rented an apartment on the hill overlooking town, “gringo hill,” with spectacular views, a pool and porch with rocking chairs. We spent a lot of time hanging out at the house: cooking, swimming, drinking beer in the rocking chairs and napping. It was rough. Once in a while we took a walk or moto ride to the beach to swim in salt water and relax under the trees.

Laura’s friend Olga and her sons came to visit from Jarabacoa and we had a great time snorkeling and taking the boys on fast dinghy rides.

How many people can fit in a dinghy?!

Warning in the harbor, Dinghy Drivers in Training.

The boys playing pool.

On Sunday afternoon we took a quick trip to Santo Domingo to spend some time with Jorge’s brother and sister. Alicia greeted us with a fabulous Dominican dinner: fried fish, rice, beans, salad, and avocadoes. We all sat around talking and joking until we couldn’t keep our eyes open anymore. The next morning Alicia made us another great meal of mangu (mashed plantains with onions) and fried cheese. YUM! Bienvenido came over and we went on a tour of Santo Domingo including a trip to the Colon lighthouse and the national aquarium.


Two smiling chicas on the Caribe Tours bus to Santo Domingo.


Bienvenido, Alicia and Laura.

Laura was having too much fun…she extended her plane ticket for a few days and we returned to the house on the hill for a few more days of views and relaxation.

Now we’re alone again in Luperon (boo-hoo) and we’re steadily working away on a list of projects to complete before we leave to the US in a week and a half. Yippee!

The luxury apartment.


On the gua-gua on the way to Luperon.




Have another beer Laura! This time with a little less head maybe...

on Hans' motoconcho on the way to the beach.

Cold beers at the beach...aaaahhhh

Laura's here!

September 23, 2007


And yes, we're having fun!

Meow!

September 19, 2007

I’m finally getting the kind of treatment I deserve. Yesterday they fed me some of their leftover chicken skin. As they should! Afterwards I enjoyed a beautiful sunset from the comfort of my floating queendom. This life isn’t so bad sometimes.


Chicken skin, yummy!


What? No more?


I am pretty, oh so pretty, I am pretty and pretty and gay!