Great Central America Experience

Since my last post, as we were traveling along we went to a couple of amazing placed in Costa Rica. It is a country I have heard so much about and have been anxious to visit. The first day we landed in Papagayo and spent a great evening out in Playa de Coco, a little village on the water. We had a great dinner and picked up some groceries. Everyone was so nice! They kept telling us to stick around for the party. I guess every night of the week gets a little crazy. We were much too tired and had an early departure the next morning to Golfito where we would get our departure papers to leave. It was another great trip at sea and another 30 hours later we were at the other end of Costa Rica.

We continued on south in the Pacific the next morning bright and early.  In about a day and a half we entered the Golfito bay.  The rain forest spilled into the water with steep mountains and lush green vegetation. There was a buzz from the forest sounding like high pitched crickets or frogs, and bird calls of all types. We had to go to 4 different places to get our papers cleared; Immigration, Port Captain, Customs, and the Bank. We have had agents do all of this for us before so we did it the hard way. Why can’t they all be in one place? It took us hours but was a great experience of the town. In and out, next stop Panama. I’m loosing track of time, but have plenty of it. Really really tranquillo! Puera Vida! I would love to go back to Costa Rica.

Central America is a gem.  Just as I thought it couldn't get any better than Costa Rica we anchored for the night in a little bay just before Punta Mala, the southern most tip of our trip and Panama.  We sat on the hook, made a great beef roast, and watched The Big Lebowski.  It doesn't get any better than that.  There was a beautiful sunset and we got to see a tease of some surfing from afar.  We got our rest for our last night out on the Pacific Ocean.  

The next morning we were off and into the Gulf of Panama.  Once we made the rounding of the point our destination wasn't far.  We would be in Panama City the next night.  There was nothing to do that afternoon so Paul was feeling lucky and put out a rod to try our luck again at some fishing.  We finally and reeled in a nice Tuna and had some sushi for dinner!  It as a nice reward for all of the time we were trying.  Our speed of 10 knots wasn't really ideal for fishing, but we got lucky.  

I'm so thankful for all of these experiences and I am excited for the rest of our trip.  I feel like we are halfway there. 

Day 7- Bahia Culebra

We pulled into Costa Rica this morning to a bay off Golfo De Papagayo called Bahia Culebra.  Today we are waiting to clear through customs and spend the day cruising around in the mountains and on water.  The last few days have been a straight shot from Mexico with little down time off the boat except for Acapulco.  Defiantly remembered my moms birthday yesterday, her big 60!  Happy birthday mom!  You and dad are the best, who also turned 60 at the beg of the month.  

You wouldn't believe how beautiful we have gotten the weather on this trip.  The seas have been about as calm as you could ask for.  Now I am here sitting in 100 degrees swimming in 90 degree water.  I just made banana pancakes and am thinking about a beer....mmmmm.  Relaxation station, Anticipation.  Everyday has been the best day of my life.  Seeing the sunrise and sunset, cooking, and tanning.  I'm in love with being out here and with everyone I am with.  What a great group of people.  Taylor and my friendship has grown so much over the years we have known each other and it is very special to  spend this time with someone you truly love.  

A couple of days ago when we were at the border of Mexico and Guatemala waiting to refuel and I woke to demands of getting out of bed and heading to the back of the boat.  I was surprised to see the Mexican Navy on board with BIG guns, Ak47s? and a drug dog.  They were just checking us out, searched the whole boat and documented our passports and all.  It was very interesting.  It was also the dirtiest smelly port we could of stopped in.  LAYERS of shit in the water.  As we sat there for hours waiting for the Mexicans to get their shit in line we saw a whole retaining wall be built with rocks and hand mixed concrete.  Its the little things we should be thankful for.  They are well behind our time.  Once we were cleared from the Navy, Immigration, and paid for Diesel we were on our way.  God it felt good to be back out in the Pacific.  

The dolphins are all curious and love to come along for a ride, big and small we have seen hundreds!  From the Bow of the boat you can hear them load and clear while they swim around.  It is hard to put it into words, the littlest things like that are experiences I will never take for granted.  We also had a sick little bird that was with us for a few days on the back of the boat that eventually found its way into the engine room.  Yesterday morning all of its friends came on a rescue mission.  

The same species was swarming and trying to land on the boat for hours.

finally Dan Got the bird to the Aft deck and got him back in the water.  They finally left us alone.  I got some great pictures of them dodging me and the boat.  Birds in flight.  Every time I see a bird whether it be here or at home I think of Haydn.  Haydn, I wish you were here to see all the different species.  

What else.....hum.  This marina we just pulled into has only  been operating for about a week.  There is barely anybody here.  Just waiting for immigration again than we can go explore.  I got my sunscreen on, sunglasses in hand and out little dingy off ready to roar.

1.18.10 Depart Puerto Vallarta, Day 2- Straight Shot to Aculpoco

We are living the life.  Out at sea, beautiful temps of 83, light winds, and practically no swell.  The boat is running like a gem and we are working hard......kind of.  There is only so much you can do.  Keep on your toes and watch where you are going.  Don't forget to eat and drink (cocktails are okay) and water is highly encouraged.  Shit, just being out here makes you thirsty.  We, at one point  were about 13 miles off shore, surrounded by water.  Don't you think that would make you thirsty?

  

Taylor, Danronious, Mr Paul Paginini, and have been soaking up the sun and fun.  Highlights of the day have been the turtle birds...well turtles, with birds hitchiking.  Little Dolphins, and a pretty good sunburn I caught.  I thought I could still tan after a month in the snow.....yeah, kinda stupid.  I have to say it hurts.  

We are going for it down to Acalpoco at about a speed of 10 knots......2 miles per hour;o)  Where we will refuel and maybe get to chill for a bit.  I think we are on a pretty heavy plan to make it to Panama City in a couple of days.  So not as many stops as I expected.  I guess the sooner we get there the more opportunity I am going to have to travel around and hopefully pick up some spanish classes.  

We left Puerto Vallarta last night as soon as Paul got in at about 830pm.  There was a big storm coming into San Francisco which delayed him by a few hours.  The weather was looking clear for a few days so we decided to "hit the road".  How is all the snow that the storm brought in???  Although, Im going to miss the snow, I know I am the trip of a lifetime.  

Boats, Planes, Monkeys, Surfboards

Its about time I get a little break, I mean....my life isn't hard and never has been, but I'm ready for a little change. The last few years have definately been an experience and only one to get me ready for the next couple of months. I have come to the conclusion that working a "regular" job is just not my bag. Instead, why not "bag" something that you enjoy? I bought a camera and have decided to document and do this blogging thing on all of my adventures. I am hopping on a boat with my long time friend, Taylor Lewis and friends for a boat delivery through Central American and over to the Carribean via the Panama Canal. I hope you follow and keep in touch with this exciting adventure. There will be monkeys, monkeying around, and damb good time.

If you are passionate about what you are doing, it isn't work. I cant do this forever, but for now I'll take it! Hope you follow me around....stalkers....

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