Fernando de Noronha to Fortaleza

After spending a week anchored at the Island it was time to leave. I am very disappointed in the Brazilian authorities. We had a person from the Brazilian government visiting the Cabanga Yacht Club to give a talk on the environment and the strict control on the Island. This is rubbish, they have managed to degrade the Island in a very short time. There are to many people on the Island and it has turned out to be a money making environment. The last day before we left a school of dolphins came into the bay and swam amongst the anchored boats. Four boats loaded with tourist came and were charging up and down at full speed, chasing the dolphins, for the tourist to see, Is that how you control the environment? Nothing was said or done to them. I am very lucky to have seen the Island before man took over.
The sail from Fernando to Fortaleza was very fast and we had good winds but a very choppy sea, so the ride was not all that comfortable. I left Monday afternoon at 4, with 2 other yachts, to be at the Isle das Rocas atoll early the next morning, but the wind was to strong and the sea to choppy to anchor. I left and arrived in Fortaleza on Wednesday evening at 10 and anchored in the bay at the Marina Park Hotel. After a good sleep I moved Mila into the marina the next morning. Plans are to stay in Fortaleza until the 20th and then sail on to French Guiana. The marina here is full. Most of the yachts are planning to move north and I have made new friends and met old ones that were in Salvador. This is the joy of sailing, one becomes part of a big family.
The Marina Park Hotel is a five star with very nice facilities, swimming pool and a gym. Unfortunately this cannot be said about the marina. They do very little or no maintenance. Colin on his Yacht Polly was here four years ago and he says nothing has changed for the better. The electrical wiring is a nightmare. One is not allowed to anchor outside, so you have to make use of the marina.
That's all for now, I will give an update on Fortaleza soon

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