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The cruising adventures of Sid and Manuela

Sunday, July 05, 2015

GINO'S VACATIONCC

My favorite seat on the boat 
So sorry it took so long for an update. As you know my computer crashed and usually I always back it up but of course the one time I don’t it crashes. I lost a lot of stuff including the update I never was able to post due to Internet problems. Luckily the photos are all still on the camera and the lost blog reports I can get back on our blog. The internet is another problem here, there are 5 SIM cards you can buy here in Panama: Cable and Wireless (we call Worthless), Movistar, Claro, Digicel and Mas Movil. I got 4 of them except Worthless and no matter which one I buy Internet time on ,I loose the money because a) week or no signal, b) the antenna at that time is out of order, c) lightning in the area which knocks all of them out, d) too many people on skype or downloading movies. I could probably come up with more reasons. The latest I figured out that my new Samsung phone works perfect as a router.
At Multimax I found a great deal on a new computer an Acer the only one I could find here in Panama with English keyboard. 299 bucks, not bad and I was told that the 8.1 Windows is the upgrade of the horrible 8.0. I have to laugh about this because when our friend Reg finally got a computer we had to listen to him moan and groan and cuss how user unfriendly and horrible 8.0 was. Here I am sitting in front of two new computers, well heck for 299 bucks we bought Sid his own which eventually will be used as a navigation back up. If we ever get those darn things to work. The laughing part is me sitting at the darn computers sounding just like Reg. Many times I wonder how many times this super flat computer will skip on the water before sinking so the fish might be able to watch Nemo.  I know Reg got a kick out of it when I What’sApp’d Debi how I felt about the darn 8.1. Of course the computer did not come with Microsoft Office but Jeff the cruisers’s computer Wizzard told me he had Office 2013. I went to his office and after he opened both our computers and started downloading he said: Ooops! His version was in Spanish. He came through for us and a week later he let me know he had the English version. Someone here told to me just upload Open Office which is the same as Microsoft office but free, whatever you do don’t download the program.  It comes with a lot of crap that in the background. It slowed down the computer and this pop up window comes up “having problems with slow computer click here” and every time opening a site lots of adds pop up which could not be removed. It also installed Opera a new browser that will attach itself onto your address book and send invitation to download Opera to all your friends. It took me two weeks to find all the critters and uninstall them. OK after all the ranting here is our update:

It is dangerous to walk the marina at night after a wonderful dinner on Runner. I think the problem was Sid was still sober. He had to go to the bathroom so bad he cut a corner where the dock carts are kept which are white painted carts with loooong handles. The problem is they are well used and the white paint on handles are long gone so in the dark you can’t see the long handle and Sid walked right into one. We were holding pinkies, he in slow motion started to fall. Of course I did not let go of his pinky and tried to keep him from falling when there was a loud “krack” noise, I didn’t just hear but also felt it.Sid fell to the ground where he was lying in agonizing pain holding his hand and rolling from side to side. We thought for sure his little pinky was broken. A couple days later he was sure it was not but all three fingers were dislocated. Still now months later he is still in a lot of pain plus he does not let me hold his pinky anymore either. How unromantic is that J.
We had just received our new Master Volt AGM batteries poor Sid had to install with his broken hand. Let me tell you these batteries are heavy! With a lot of groaning and pain killers he managed to put them in. Nice to have new batteries and not having to run the engine several times a day. Now we just need our new wind generator and we are in business. Our old one burned out in one of last year’s Puerto Lindo storms and found the motor to replace online for 270 bucks. During a conversation with our neighbor in Shelter Bay he found out that his wind generator only cost 340 bucks. Well guess what instead of ordering the parts we ordered a new one which is waiting in Florida for us.

Carol the lady who works the Mini Mart at Shelter Bay became friends with Deb and I. She worked 6 days a week and told us the day she retires she wants to come play with us. After 4 years working there and being taking for granted, she put her resignation in. Deb and I planned a surprise potluck for her. When she left her work for the last time we all were at the pool waiting for her with a table full of munchies and her own table set up with all the Gin Martiny ingredients, her favorit drink, including shaker. She loved it. The following day Deb was cutting her hair and talked her into having her hair colored. She agreed and so both came up to the big bathrooms where I was ready for them. Carol couldn’t believe when they opened the door there was snacks on the counter, cold bottle of champagne, beauty stuff, nail polish. Deb colored her hair and we all painted our toe nails. The second bottle of champagne we opened at the pool eating Carol’s BD cake I made. Her BD was just around the corner so nothing wrong with celebrating it a bit early. She had fun.


Three days later on her real Birthday Saturday before Easter Carol invited us to an Easter Dinner on her boat, but we had to show up with an Easter Hat. The ham her son Dylan BBQ was delicious so was her scalloped potatoes and coleslaw.  We all had a wonderful time. 
Carol






Reg, Deb and Dylan

Australian Easter Hat

Our dentist Ida is a member of the Decameron Resort near Coronado, an all inclusive  Resort. She got an incredible offer for 43 dollars per day per person and wanted to know if Runner and Paradise were interested. My gosh 43 dollars we will do a lot of damage there don’t think the resort would want us there but of course we said yes. On a Monday Ida and her daughter Adriana picked us up in the marina and off we were on the 3 hour trip to the resort.
The rooms were very nice with a beautiful view over incredible pools and ocean. A tree next to the balconies filled up with hundreds of little green parrots at night and leaving by sunrise. This Resort is huge seemed like miles and miles long with pool after pool and so many restaurants, it was hard to choose from where to fill our bellies. We settled for the Japanese Restaurant since the Italian was booked. Food was OK but company was great. Of course we never had to walk far to the next bar. They made some really good margaritas. At 9pm there was Karaoke I was dying to go for. They ran it for 30 minutes, not enough time for everybody to sing. Afterwards was a really fun show that lasted a bit toooooo long. Sid and Reg were tired and went to bed while the girls went for the disco starting at midnight, which of course was on the other end of the Resort. Nothing was happening yet at the disco except our stomachs growling so we went to eat instead and realized that after all we were too tired to go dancing. Breakfast was amazing the buffet loaded with yummy stuff. I don’t think I have ever eaten soooo much for breakfast. We spent most of the morning in the pool then had some more food, another incredible buffet for lunch and at 3 it was time to head back. Although it was just a one night stay, it was so relaxing it felt like we were there for 3 days. We sure did eat and drink more than the 43 dollars per person. Wonder if Ida ever will get that offer again J!


Our Pool




This is what I call a double Margarita

Ida the most gentle dentist

Japanese Restaurant

Deb had the best Seat in the car


The kittens were just too cute and it was amazing to watch them how fast they learned everything. We knew the longer we had them the harder it would be to let them go. We never named them, once you name them ,they are yours. The little girl is full of pee and vinegar and wants to play constantly. The boy is a lover and loves to cuddle. I know I will miss him the most.
After 6 weeks we decided they were weaned enough for Annie a friend of Mariah’s to have. A year prior Annie had rescued a black cat which she in the meantime has fixed so we knew she was a responsible young lady and the kitties would find a good home. A lot of tears were shed when the kitties left for Panama City. Tears of sadness but also happiness that they found a good home. We were a bit worried that her rescue cat would not take to them easy but she was amazing in taking them in like they were her babies. Now Annie owns three black cats.





One morning on the Shelter Bay bus back from shopping the girl sitting next to me found out we have been in Panama for a while asked if I had met a boat with 6 kids on it. I said: “Invincible”? She responded with “OMG finally someone who has met my family I’m the lost 7th child”. She was crewing on a boat to the Azores. She looked just like her mom, cute girl, was on her way to visit her family in Bocas Del  Toro for Easter. Small world isn’t it.

Another night after a wonderful dinner on Runner Sid and I walked back to our boat when we noticed all kind of flash lights on the road and along the jungles edge. Of course we went to investigate and the laundry lady told me that they all were crabbing and showed me her full bucket of land crabs. Sid looked at me and the scavenger I am ,we went back to the boat, I grabbed a bucket and went back to the laundry lady and asked her how they catch them. She said with this and gave me a cloths hanger. So off I went to join everybody else. The locals showed me how they catch them, they step on their body then reach for the little claw first as that is the mean one then the grab hold of the big claw and put them in a bucket. I used the cloths hanger, I aggravated the crab until it latched itself on the hanger then they went into the bucket. After 5 minutes I had 15 land crabs and went home. Back at the boat I asked Sid for the BBQ tongues and went back to the jungles edge. The locals looked at me funny when I showed up with the tongues but laughed when they saw how much faster I picked crabs up then they did. I bet you they now all use the BBQ tongues. Two crabs tried to hide in a puddle of water, only their bulgy eyes stuck out, one swoop and they were in my bucket. So in a total of 15 minutes crabbing I had about 40 in my bucket. They were wonderful. I cooked them up with my Mexican hot sauce and also with coconut milk and a few Thai seasonings, yummy.

Shelter Bay has many nicknames “Scarry Bay” or “ Shelter Pay” because it’s the most miss managed marina anywhere and very expensive. They have a daily, monthly, 3 and 6 monthly and yearly rate. We were only going to stay one month so we paid 715 bucks a months. Three months and 5 days later we qualified for the 3 months rate and a refund of $867 dollars was returned to us, wow. I go with Shelter Pay, they paid us. The yearly rates are probably really affordable.We didn’t ask.

We left and spent one night in Portobelo and stored a lot of stuff from the V-Berth in our storage. Had to make room for my brother’s Visit. 
The boats are getting worse here. Look at this ones sun shade


By the way this is the Dennis's boat that was trying to sink in East Lemons, it finally sank in Portobelo. One side was painted black, he was going to use it as a backpacker boat

This is the other side the way we saw it in San Blas

Sad sight

Next day we tied up in the new Linton Marina, which has no hook up’s yet, meaning  no water or electricity and no facility yet. Just lots of machinery working on the haul-out ramp for now. The marina is open to the north and a swell is coming through the cut between the island and mainland. Depending on the wind and waves it can get a bit rough at times but by tying the boat loosely not too tight to the dock the boat rides the waves nicely we barely can feel the rocking. The construction of the marina is pretty kewl, the docks are built for this condition with rubber strips pads between each dock to absorb the shock. There is not an office or personel per say just a relative of one of the many owner who is “common senseless” running it and not a boater, and has a lot to learn. Some day when this place is finished it will be a top notch marina.

I was so excited when my brother Gino finally arrived. We were going to leave for San Blas the following day, but the weather wouldn’t cooperate, 20 knots of wind and 10 foot seas we have to head into, an absolute no no. Runner finally left Shelter Bay after almost a year and joined us at Linton Marina. Together, Deb, Gino and I went snorkeling. Saw some pretty neat stuff, especially lots of colorful sponges.
Sid's shoe was blown off the dock so Gino and him went looking for it. Of course they could not find it



A kewl bottle I found






After 4 days we still were not able to take off for the San Blas so I took Gino on a bus trip to Colon from there we took a taxi to the expansion of the new canal. He was really jazzed to see it and amazed at the enormous future canal, so are we each time we see it. We tried to take a taxi back but bad news, none showed up out there. So we took off by foot and walked along the jungles edge seeing all kinds of colorful birds and butterflies including the electric blue morpho. You can hear their flapping wings when they approach. Howler monkeys studied us as carefully as we did them. Then a car came from the expansion and out went my thumb and we got a ride to the main road. There, no taxi either, so we started walking with thumbs sticking out towards colon. A Canal maintenance truck came by and drove us all the way to Dos Mill. Gino did some souvenir shopping there, we had lunch and took the bus home. A fun day, but not something he wants to do every day, meaning sitting in the chicken bus where there is no leg room and by the time you leave you can’t feel your butt anymore.
By the way that is one of the views we get to see on the bus rides into from Shelter Bay to Colon at the Canal


The new locks 


The wall they have to break down when opening the canal

We went there several times already this was with Ida, Reg and Deb about 2 weeks before my brother arrived

No change in weather so I asked Diane on Takes Me Away if Sid and Gino could help her getting her boat to haul out in Panamarina. An adventure Gino enjoyed from boat ride to marina and especially watching how the boat was pulled out of the water then later put on stands in the yard. I followed later with the dinghy and joined them for lunch. The ride back in the dinghy through the mangroves was also enjoyed.








There was finally an opening with weather, waves were down to 7 feet, it was a go and Gino would get to see the San Blas for 5 days. We got up early and to our horror a huge black cloud covered the whole area and a heavy down pour started with heavy winds. Neither Runner who is quite a bit larger than us was going to stick their nose out there. Since we haven’t explored Isla Grande yet I opted to do that. It was a bit of a bumpy ride to the island in the dink, but the walk along the boardwalk and up to the lighthouse was delightful and the view magnificent. We also agreed that the huge waves rolling on the wild sea was not something we would want to be in. After the walk we took Gino across to Adriana’s he had a huge crab and lobster on his last visit. This time we all had a whole fried snapper for lunch with patacones, plantains cups filled with a yummy shrimp filling on a local coconut sauce.







Defunct lighthouse





Love the bar stools



Our chance to go to San Blas dwindled finally when we had 3 days to spend in the San Blas the weather cleared. Runner had left already and we hotfooted behind them. As we neared Isla Grande the motor started to sputter and the RPMs kept going up and down. As we turned around the disappointment was unbelievable, nobody said a word. It was not fair, Gino worked so hard on overtime and came all this way not to see the San Blas, I can’t describe my frustration. Back in the slip Sid went to work and found the magnetic algae controller full with algae, cleaned it, changed fuel filters and after less than an hour we were back out there and no hiccups, yeah, finally on our way to the San Blas. Poor Gino got sick and slept most of the way. He was excited to see the first of the San Blas islands Chichime. Since we only had 3 days we decided to bypass Chichime and head to the East Lemons one of our favorite spots. We relaxed with a cocktail on deck and watched a beautiful sunset. I have to say Gino has no boating experience and I told him it was like camping. He did well and loved it. Told him to pump the head 20 times after each use. He yelled jokingly at Sid one time “20 times not 15”! After I’ve been living for 27 year on the boat Gino finally had an idea what it is like, what we do out here.(No not meaning pumping the head!)
The following morning while Sid was working on the engine I took Gino in the dinghy around the islands and for a beer on one of the kuna islands catering to tourism. Gino loved it, the first island, well it was just a sand pile, neverless he stuck his hands in the air saying “I can’t belive I’m in the San Blas”, neither could I but I was just thrilled that we were here. 
Poor seasick Gino



Recuperating in the hammock


I am in the San Blas!!!!







Paradise in background







Later on in the afternoon we pulled anchor and had a wonderful sail, Gino even enjoyed without getting sick, to the Hollandays by far the best part of the San Blas. 

My two boys





Here we anchor in 8 feet of water which is as blue as the sky making you feel you are sitting in a swimming pool. Didn’t take long before Gino saw his first stingray. Runner was here already. Gino wanted to go to one the inviting island I used to do yoga on. We grabbed some money and rum went ashore where the same friendly Kuna welcomed us. We bought 3 cokes and the Kuna was overjoyed that he was included.

Again we watched an incredible sunset and Gino could not stop staring in the water. We hung the nightlight out and as always lots of rays came by and a turtle, too kewl. I forgot to mention that he loves to sleep in the hammock.

May 19th a historical day, Manuela qualifies for jubilado discounts in Panama (Man 60 Women 55 get 50% discount on hotels, 25% on meds or restaurants and flights, car repairs etc). As I stepped out into the cockpit there was Sid and Gino wishing me a “Happy Jubilado” immediately I flashed my jubilado card at them. At 8 in the morning we heard a dinghy approaching, looking over the side there was Deby standing in the dinghy and Reg driving. She had a tray in her hand with 3 freshly made Cappuccino’s and both sang Happy Birthday to me. That was really sweet. After the coffee and breakfast I took Gino to Bug island where we walked the long beach. 







Around 11 Deby took us snorkeling to one of her favorite spots. OMG this reef I haven’t snorkeled yet was beautiful and full of life. There was a type coral I have never seen before. I found a lion fish and under one huge coral I detected a cave and saw something of interest. I dove down and if there was a beautiful turtle resting in the cave wow. Gino was just in awe. 





Conch


Parrot fish

Puffer

Lion Fish


At 5 we were invited on Runner for my Birthday dinner. As we climbed on board there was Deb wearing a kitchen apron and holding a tray with my favorite drink “Silver Fizz” yum. Gino got hooked on it on his last visit. Deb went all out for dinner, she made a wonderful beef wellington. Gino brought up how wonderful it was to see how close we cruisers are. 


My caviar dip






Gino was impressed with the wine airator, 

The following day we said goodbye to Deb and Reg and sailed to the West end of the Hollandayse we have not been to yet. There is not much room for a lot of boats and rather deep but we did found spots with about 12 feet. This anchorage is the prettiest I have seen in the hollandaise. I told Sid we needed to come back and spend some time here. I took Gino ashore to the western most island where I had seen a lonely Kuna. We walked up to him in introduce ourselves and asked if we could walk his island. Tilo a very friendly Kuna showed us around and let us know that his island was our island and we could come and go as we wished, same with the adjacent island. He asked if he could come by to get some water later. I told him sure.  He did show up with a jug we filled up and he handed me 2 coconuts.
From his island we ventured to the neighboring island which I heard has a village on the other end. We walked along the beach across the palm tree packed island to other shore and back. It was beautiful and no person in sight until we reached the end of the island where about 8 Kuna huts stood. Only 2 were occupied. Several friendly Kuna’s greeted us and I asked if they had any molas for sale. Gino hadn’t seen them yet nor met Kuna Indians so this was very special. As many molas as I have I’m a sucker for it and always find a new one. Gino bought a few bracelets for his daughter. We noticed a path leading through the trees and asked if we could walk the path. They said we were welcome to walk anywhere we like. We followed the path and came to a most beautiful beach, took some photos and walked to the water’s edge when an elderly Kuna couple came towards us hollering something. So I walked up towards him and introduced ourselves again, but this time the responds was very angry words wanting to know where the captain was. I told him on the boat. He demanded that he needs to come ashore ASAP and pay him 3 dollars each. I told him I was here to buy molas to soften his mood. He yelled at me and pointed at his wife who looks as acient as him and said does she look like she makes molas you have to pay 3 dollars and how dare us walking on his island. I explained that all the other friendly kunas had invited to do so but no problem we will get off his beach. He still demanded 3 dollars to walk his beach. I told him we are leaving and that I do not wish to walk a mad Kuna’s beach, it was just in a broken Spanish as his was. So we left. Just a few steps from his beach was another inviting beach and strolling along enjoying the scenery and talking about going snorkeling next, Gino said: “There is a crocodile!” no way was my responds but by golly there it was about 12 feet away in the water all of his body out of the water, I have to add longer than me, his eyes focused on us. We stopped and looked at it, started walking again and it followed our beat, we stopped, it stopped, we walked, it followed parallel to us. I told Gino that our dinghy is not far off so better walk fast hop in the dinghy before it arrives with us. We did just that and both at the same time said: “Don’t think I need to go snorkeling”. I said as well, “Don’t think I want to hang around here too long”. Safe and sound on the boat and quite a bit away from the croc, we still did not wish to go in the water.








Angry Kuna Beach




It was Gino’s time to cook his wonderful Carbonara and it was better than I remembered it. This time I took photos of the process so that I can make it myself. 




It was deliciouse


We had a great sail back to Puerto Lindo and even spotted a single dolphin. Although the RPMs did the funny thing again.
Early the next morning Gino and I took the bus into Colon were a rental car waited. All he wanted to do in Panama City was to visit the huge Albrook Mall again where he bought some presents for his family and he bought me a brand new Samsung phone for my BD. Thank you Gino. Mine was in bad shape. Went to TGI Friday and had the biggest Burger Gino has ever seen and from there to the airport.

My new phone that enables me to update this blog

Present from Stefania perfect as a Gravyboat
Gino had a wonderful two weeks even though only 3 days in the San Blas but he left with saying that he will be back next year with his daughter Stephania. Yeah!!!!

It was truly great to have him and for me it was very important for him to see how we live. Marco has somewhat an idea when he visited us a century back when we were still in LA. We took him to Catalina for a week.

Here we are again in Linton Marina and Sid working on the motor. This time he emptied the fuel tank and cleaned it all out, changed all fuel filters again. Motor seemed to run fine but after an hour the RPMs failed again. Every time he worked on the engine he found something else from a tiny oil leak in a hose, diesel leak in another and a water leak and it took a good month until all was fixed. The very next day the water maker decided to give up the ghost. Sid found a faulty valve we luckily found in Panama City. But there was no pressure to get the water into the tank so he cleaned the filters and membrane. Still no difference and after a chat with Desmond our watermaker guy here in Panama City, Sid cleaned the membrane again this time with fresh water and voila it works. There’s only one more thing to replace and that is the automatic bilge pump Sid is not looking forward to that.

Sid was supposed to deliver Sandial ,a friends boat, to Florida together with John his ex-brother in law right after Gino left. Sid went to Shelter Bay, moved on the boat and John followed soon. The boat has been sitting in the marina for 2 ½ years and Greg the mechanic at this point had replace many hoses, hose clamps, wiring etc. The day before John arrived from LA they filled up the diesel tanks which each holds 475 gallons and off they went on a sea trial, all seemed to be fine,.  Sid woke up to a diesel smell and found the bilge filled with it. The tank had sprung a hole on the bottom that is almost impossible to access. John arrived in time to help empty the tank. Greg who had worked on Subs and, aircrafts, having spent hours inside fuel tanks, luckily is a specialist. He fixed the problem, they filled the tank again and yet another few leaks, empty tanks again and the decision was made there was not enough time to get her to FL on time for John to make his next delivery to Hawaii. So John flew home to return after his delivery to Hawaii. Ironically they were underway and after 2 days, returned as the sailboat lost the generator and one of the sails fell apart, so that delivery is also postponed. To this day Greg is still working on the tank, the owners are in Florida until end of July and set date is sometime in August.
For our plans until then who knows we may make it to the San Blas.

Cruising plans are all written in Sand at low tide.

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