Next message: Ian Wilson: "[world-cruising] Cruising Routes from Capetown"
hi everyone
i am currently in porlamar, isla margarita, venezuela.
just wanted to let everyone know a few things going on down here of
great interest and importance if you are comming this way.
first off, the money-
i would recomend if you are coming to venezuela, bring US dollars,
because yes you can get $$ from an atm and yes you can use your
credit card, but the official bank exchange rate is frozen at 1600
bolivars to the dollar. however, if you have US dollars you can
exchange them for 2300 to 2800 bolivars to the dollar, through
trustworthy people found at the various marine services here in
porlamar. money changers on the streets should be avoided, even if
they are offering 3000 to the dollar because they are passing
counterfeits and specialize in slight of hand tricks.
second, teefin of dinghies
there have been somewhere around 7 dinghys successfully stolen just
in the six weeks we have been here- and many more attempts. dont know
the exact number because it seems that nobody wants to admit that
there is a serious teef problem, but that is what i have counted from
conversations with other sailors and reports on the local vhf net.
and its not just fancy ribs with big motors they´re taking, our
friend caught 3 swimmers trying to make off with his 8' aluminum beat-
to-hell pram with a 2hp motor. there have also been boardings, but as
far as i know, no one has been hurt. even raising the dinghy up out
of the water at night is not enough, they come aboard and cut it
loose. no kidding. on naga we havent even launched our dinghy, we
have been using my inflatable kayak (that bears a great similarity to
a patchwork quilt)to get back and forth.
third- great prices
partly because of the great money exchange rate we are getting, and
partly because its just that way, eveything here is really
inexpensive. provisioning is so much fun- i dont have to bring my
calculator to see that i am spending wisely- by simply avoiding
american products i can buy just about anything i want in the
supermarkets and giggle to myself as i hand over a few bolivars and
break my back carrying my booty home.
and labor rates are insane! i do marine canvas and sail repair, i
have a mini-sail loft in the aft cabin. but no matter how low i quote
jobs, the locals are undercutting my quotes by rediculous amounts. i
swear, they´re working for practically free. and from what i have
seen, the work is very high quality.
i could go on and on about the fun stuff to do here, if you want to
know, just ask and i will be glad to tell you. personally, i really
love it here.
we plan to leave early next week, sail to gulf of carioco- perhaps-
no definite plans.
peace
chrissi
ps really- does anyone know where i can get confit de canard in cans-
mail order?
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