Back In Bocas

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Back in Bocas, Panama, after some weeks in the States to take care of important business issues.

The resident marina dog (Josito) and the sailing community greeted us warmly upon our return. Apparently Josito injured his fore leg requiring (similar to my injured hand) many stitches several inches long, but was healing well by now (similar to my hand).

In our absence, other sailors assumed their part as Josito's surrogate moms, feeding him well. Though, several days after we returned, Josito continued to lounge on the deck by OUR boat and continued his (MY) daily feedings. It was nice to be remembered.

The next 10 days went fast, and we were busy. Almost nightly though, we managed to socialize with the other yachties at the Cantina's Happy Hour, getting ideas for resolving boat maintenance issues and future voyages.

Mark continued to deal with business issues remotely, and battled with several boat dilemmas. Our Starboard sail drive which is attached to one of the engines is getting water into the oil and must be fixed before we do any lengthy voyaging. To do this, the boat must be hauled out of the water completely. Mark has had trouble locating a boat yard in the surrounding area or countries with a wide enough boat lift to accommodate aVida. Several options are still out there but it will be a challenge. After much research, we have also changed our voyaging plans. Rather than sail up the coast toward Belize, our December target will most likely be the Cayman Islands, about a 3 night non-stop voyage from Panama. Why? Why not.... We hear they are stunning, and have never been before. We've been to Honduras, Guatamala, and Belize in early 2010, but these days we would have to avoid Honduras altogether due to its drastically elevated crime rate.

I made another photo/blog Mixbook for a keepsake (big job), battled with a faulty PC, and did some massive file backups and cleanup. To break up the pace before we move on from Bocas and as a Birthday gift to Mark, I researched, planned, and reserved an 11 day trip beginning the pm of 10/24 to the Dominican Republic, one of the Eastern Caribbean islands we missed along our voyage to the Western Caribbean earlier this year. Our plan is Panama City, 1 night before and after, 2 nights in the lively cultural city of Santo Domingo, a bus ride north of the island to the Samana Peninsula (DR's best kept secret), 3 nights beachside for great snorkeling, then ferry across the bay to an Eco Lodge with 11 natural springs, 3 nights for hiking, and kayaking to grottos, caverns, and caves.

Happy Birthday Hon!