0 dark 30
I woke up very early and did just a bit of remote work before getting Zanshin ready for storage. I needed two cups of coffee to get the necessary energy to start work, and I managed to get the cushions inside before the incoming rain got them too wet. I couldn’t get the bimini or dodger down, as they were soaking wet and needed to dry out.
The fuel dock opens at 08:00, and Lindsay, the yard manager, came earlier to plan the move of Zanshin. Once I’d fueled up, I should head to the catamaran haulout pit and chill there until about 10:00 AM, at which time the front slot next to the haulout pit would open up, and I could relocate there.
Just as planned, I filled up my tanks and moved to the catamaran pit, then just before 10, I was told to head on over. Both moves worked out just right. I was fortunate that the wind was still very light, and it picked up soon after I was tethered in position – that would have made things much more difficult.
The dodger and bimini had dried out, so I removed those and got them stowed away. The fridge and freezer had thawed out, and I cleaned them before sealing them for storage.
Lunchtime
I took a shower ashore after locking up the boat and put on long pants, socks, and my Iron Ranger boots. Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait very long in the blistering sun before my cab to the airport arrived.
I was at the airport too early, and the check-in counter hadn’t opened yet, but soon the crew arrived, and I was quickly checked in, then breezed through immigration using the QR code I’d received upon arrival. Even security was fast, as I was ahead of the lines for both the A330 Condor and the Boeing-777ER British Airways flights.
Punta Cana
I was surprised at how the airport had changed in the 10 years since I’d last been there. Back then, it was small; now it is quite large and commercialised, mainly geared towards American travellers. The transit passengers were shuttled to a security checkpoint, where our carry-on and persons were screened. Then, after just a short delay while the aircraft was cleaned and prepped, we once again boarded and departed for distant Frankfurt.