Mocha, Yemen (North Yemen)

Even in a harbor, the winds are 30 to 40 knots hight.
This strange sailboat is a fishing boat.

There is the Mandeb Channel in most South of the Red Sea. People call it "Bab el Mandeb" which meaning "The gate of tears". The width of the Mandeb Channel is narrowest in the Red Sea, so the ocean current is so fast, and the wind is so high. It's so hard to cross so you may cry. That's why people call this "The gate of tears". They have the seasonal winds changing twice a year. Unluckily, I've been there when it was changing. I was sailing against the winds, but the winds were so high like pushing me back. Unavoidably, I decided to escape to Mocha. It took 26 hours only for 61 nautical miles. I wonder how it'd be easier, if I left Egypt a few weeks earlier.

Mocha is well-known for exporting Moca coffee, and also as a shelter.
The inspector with a turban asked me for a cigaret and beer after customs inspection.
It's really ridiculous, even though some inspector've done the something to me.
As soon as I handed them to him, he has gone.

But the wind did'nt go away so soon.
The wind is still blowing 30 to 40 knots high even in a harbor.
It's possible to go to pier by all my might.
The power of nature is invincible.
The engine of BOHEMIAN 2 does'nt work at all this time.
If you choose a wrong season, The Mandeb Channel is certainly "The gate of tears".