We have traveled close to 3,000 miles in the past four months, stopping in five different countries (I'm including Key West because it is its own republic, after all) and generally have gone nonstop the entire time. Sure, we did some exploring. We saw the sites, met the locals and practiced our bad Spanish, but really this has been a whirlwind tour - all surface with not a lot of depth.
But Bocas del Toro has given us time to pause, to reflect on where we want to go from here. We are in a land free from the dreaded hurricane, full of other cruisers, where parts are somewhat accessible and the coast is peppered with tiny islands, coves, bays, lagoons and reefs ready for discovery. In short, we are going to stay in Bocas for the next two months while we cruise the area, work on the boat and try to find some work ourselves to top off the cruising kitty.
It will be interesting to slow down and actually live in a place for a bit. Will we like it in Bocas? Most likely. Is it a good place to spend a couple of months? We will let you know. Will our cockpit cushions ever dry? Probably not. (Aside: It will not stop raining here. It just seems to go from a slow drizzle to a fine mist to a deluge with very few dry bits in between. Bettie is starting to smell like bread dough rising and not in the good way!)
Oh, and if you just happen to know someone who needs some boat work done in Bocas, let us know!!
I am so happy for you that you finally get to rest, and start "Cruising"!! For us it isn't about always being on the go, but more about immersing yourself in the culture. Seeing life as it is lived all over the world.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to do that when you only stay for days or a week at a time.
I hope you can find work! You'll have to give us an "Atilla-How-To" guide on finding jobs in foreign countries.
Sounds/looks Beautiful! Btw, how is the weather?
Umm, on the weather front, it's raining. And raining. And more raining. I think we might actually have to buy a generator because these solar panels aren't worth much when the sun doesn't shine. We might be getting a wind generator that has a broken circuit board that Vlad might be able to fix. Of course, there's not much wind down here either. :)
DeleteWet weather aside, it will be nice to really explore this place, to slow down a bit and see what a country actually has to offer. I'm pretty pumped about it actually.
I'll let you know how the job thang goes. Hopefully, we should be able to scrounge up a little something.
BTW, Sid's family has been calling me...They Demand you show photo evidence their beloved Hedgehog is alive and doing well. They are making threats if no photos are produced.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Well, we definitely don't want to anger the Vicious family, not that it's hard to do. I will wake him up for a photo shoot today to assuage any concerns.
DeleteSounds like Washington only warmer. I don't know what is worse: warm wet or cold wet. But I'm glad you are staying put for awhile. In spite of the rain, it sounds like a great place to spend some time. I look forward to hearing if and how you find a way to top off the boat kitty. I wonder if you have a boom tent for your boat? It really helps in rainy weather. They are common around here.
ReplyDeleteIt's not bad, just wet and unfortunately mildewy. Other than that, it's a great place to be for a few months. Lots of stuff to do cruising wise, and there are some money making opportunities.
DeleteWe have something like a boom tent, but it's more for sun because the zippers allow the water to leak through. I'm thinking about shrink wrapping the whole thing in vinyl as a simultaneous rain collecting/dry boat system. It's gonna look fabulous!
Bettie will be Plastic Fantastic!
DeleteSince you two are staying put for a hot second, can I get an address to send you goodies please?
Delete