September 15, 2008
Bocas Marina
Getting back to the boat was fairly
straightforward – Barcelona to Madrid to Guatemala City to
Panama City to Bocas del Toro…with a stay in one of the
sleaziest hotels never to be frequented again in Panama – Hotel
Riande Airport. A dump of unworkability priced at about $92 per
night, it’s the only hotel conveniently located five minutes
from Tocumen International Airport. Stench of mould covered
over with Lysol, irregular surging from the air conditioner, and
a non-functional toilet. After coming from the state-of-the-art
Independence of the Seas, the third world was an abrupt
comedown. Eeesh.
The cats were thrilled to see us again –
looking plump and well cared for in our long absence. Brian has
been bringing them tidbits from the restaurant, and has
developed a great avuncular relationship with them. We were
especially thrilled to see little old Maggie had put on nearly
all the weight she’s lost in the past year. Seems the
hyperthyroid medication has really helped regulate her.
The boat looks great – but nobody seems to
do housework like the owner, so we spent the first couple of
weeks spreading out and remarking our territory. I really felt
bad that we kicked Brian to the curb and he had to move onto a
sailboat that required about five days of cleaning to become
habitable. But he has agreed to return to the cat-nanny
position in November when we go back.
These two weeks Ole has reverted to
shipboard behavior, getting up at the crack of early and
blasting through a 36-item list on our boat like the auditors
were behind him! I’ve been trying to keep up, but man, he’s the
energizer bunny! The list has included repairing/repainting the
running lights, polishing all the stainless, stripping and
repainting the aft deck, cleaning lines and fenders, and chasing
leaks.
We did, however, make a quick trip into
David to meet with the developer at Montanas de Caldera and do a
bit of shopping.
September 30, 2008
Bocas Marina
The work list continues…and so does the
heat.
The highlight of the month was the fifth
anniversary party of Bocas Yacht Club and Marina. With an
expected turnout of 75-100 people, several of us opted to spend
the Saturday afternoon of the party helping Sharkey cook, clean,
and organize. I’m glad we did – everything was perfect for the
expected 5:00 pm start time, with finger food, beer, wine, soft
drinks, and killer rum punch ready to roll. All the cruisers
were there, as were several folks from town, to enjoy the live
music, a fire dance, a juggler, and general alcohol-fueled
mayhem. And during the evening, I got to discover why they call
them “fire
ants.” Sitting on a rock in the lawn I thought I had dropped
cigarette ashes on my ankles!
Party Prep with Brian and Mike |
Ray Juggled... |
Chato and Paul Sang... |
Dyllan and Darian Played with Fire |
We danced...and had a great time! |
Finally, tomorrow morning we’re going to
head out in a convoy for a week or two (as long as the food
holds out) with four other boats – Pamela Jean, with Pam and
Bill from Texas; Mariah, with Evelyn and Dave from Key West;
Serenity, with Steve Tepper (staff captain on Norwegian Jade);
and Guavi, with Ariel and Michelle from Puerto Rico. Should be
fun!
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