January 12

Along with Inspiration Lady, ran (this is actually a misnomer as a boat propelled by diesel and staysail was used) short distance late morning to anchorage by Suledup (Soo-lay-dupe). In Kuna, Sule means chicken, dup is island. Apparently tupu also means island - don't know why. After paying, and receiving receipt for, $5 landing fee to Damasio Castro, who came by in an ulu with his son and a buddy, the ILs and I were invited for a tour of Caledonia, his nearby village.

Although not really an indigenous people-phile found the experience fascinating. Houses for 800 people completely cover the tidy island. These guys are happy, friendly and short. Also don't care much for children, but these are, to a kid (over a quarter of the population), the cutest ever. Normally suggest to friends with attractive youngsters that they sell them and buy an otherwise out-of-reach luxury item. These people could make a fortune, but suspect a Ferrari would be overkill on a 1/4 mile island with no TV, AC power or roads. Also no avariciousness, crime or stress. They typically live to great age.

Didn't want to before decision time, but have commenced getting excited about seeing Pacific. Concluded opportune to do so now as may not be in proper mood when 80. Boat would be 44 by then.

Liz, my spousal unit and 'one who must be obeyed' (but given high level of incorrigibility in worse half, sometimes isn't) will travel to India last three weeks of February, so may fly home first week (earlier than planned) to retrieve charts & such and trieve (... well, it should be) some new stuff for bigger ocean. Work, work, work. So much to do, so little time... careful, able to detect crocodile tears at great distance.

Jack