journal

Friday Feb 29/08

More rain again last night and this morning...very unusual for this time of year, and in this part of the world. Today has been spent mostly puttering around the boat and light chores. Tomorrow we plan to hop in taxi's and tour the island with "the group"...Jim is still talking about flying around on the island plane....which looks a bit sketchy to me, but you never know...he might convince me yet! ....and it is clearing up......

Thurs Feb 28,08

After a great party last night on board Margoline, we have had a rather quiet day!

It poured rain last night and is slighly overcast today, but that's ok, it's still hovering in the high

80's. Just enjoying the R & R after being in the shipyard for so long.

s

Wed Feb 27,2008

Wed Feb 27,2008

We departed La Ceiba shipyard at 7:50 yesterday and passed through the channel by 8:00...we were on our way! The 6 ½ hr trip was uneventful. The wind was no greater than 10 knots, at any time, and the seas relatively calm, nothing like we had been prepared for... luckily. As we approached Fantasy Island on Roatan, (our destination) Cody, from My Joe, was in his dinghy ready to escort us through the very shallow entrance. ( Roatan has the second largest reef in the world. )

We were to tie up port side, right behind My Joe, on the dock, it was to be my first docking at the helm on Margoline. Oddly enough, even with a half a dozen or so people on the dock waiting for us, I was not nervous at all, and managed to bring us in without a scratch or bump. Once safely tied up, Cathy led us to the check in and the bar. For twenty dollars a day, ( as opposed to ten dollars a day to anchor with no privileges ) we can use all the facilities here and pay as we play, as it is an all inclusive resort. It is primarily a dive resort, and a popular Canadian destination, as there are direct flights from Roatan to Toronto.

The island is filled with huge iguana’s and monkeys, we saw them everywhere on our walk to the hotel. Unlike La Ceiba, however, no loud birds seem to be here, which is a blessing first thing in the morning.

After a few drinks and a hamburger, suddenly exhausted, we returned to Margoline for a long overdue nap. Following nap time, we had a very short, quiet get together with My Joe and Sea Dragon and their guests.

One episode of the Soprano’s later, and that was it for the night, I think we turned out the lights by 9:30 p.m.

Today we are tidying up the inside of the boat, relaxing by the beach and pool, reading, blogging and just generally having a lazy day! And man, are we happy to be here!

Monday Feb 25, 2008

Yesterday we finished the work on the boat, got it cleaned and ready to put back in the water first thing in the morning.

Last night we spent the evening in a nearby Garifuna Village. The village itself was lively, and the restaurant filled with Caribbean atmosphere,  it was directly on the beach, a perfect setting, however, the service and cuisine left something to be desired! Honduras is certainly not known for it's fine dining.

Today we finally launched Margoline back into the water, not first thing as planned, but then, nothing here goes as planned...all systems are now a go...we leave at the crack of dawn tomorrow....we can't get out of here fast enough! We will head directly for Roatan, where My Jo and Sea Dragon await our arrival. The seas are about 5' - 9' and the wind is increasing, so we might be in for a bit of a bumpy ride, but at this point, we don't care, we just want to get sailing again!

Sat Feb 23,2008

Unfortunately the final work was not completed yesterday...it is being done today, and that means we have to wait until Monday to be put back in the water. We were so close to finishing! But nothing happens fast here, it's just the way it is.

The contrasts to the world of Central America and our world, in North America is staggering. As we flew into Miami on a clear sunny day you could not help but notice how perfect, and clean, everything was. All the homes and streets in neat rows, clean roads and highways with car and trucks alternately moving in straight lines, everything so organized and seemingly efficient. Flying back, the scene is a chaotic mess of tangled overhead wires, shack and shanties everywhere, cars, trucks, carts, horses, bikes every which way on the roads and highways. The rivers are full of women and children doing laudry and laying it over the rocks to dry. Side walks have fruit venders and women barbequing corn on the cob every few yards. Nothing is in order, no rules, every man/women for himself and it's hot! Everyday we are reminded how lucky we are to live where we live. We also know how lucky we are to have this experience.

We have a wonderful driver, Ricardo, that has been with us most of the time that we have been in Honduras. I don't go anywhere without him...he even comes grocery shopping with me, he's a driver, body guard and translator all in one. We are very thankful to have him.

We have had requests to post pictures of the inside of Margoline, so just as soon as the work is finished and everything is put back in place, I will take, and post some pictures of the interior. 

Thursday February 21, 2008

We are back after nine packed days in North America. After a short visit with Ann’s parents, ( which always includes re-sorting/packing of "stuff" and a fun dinner ) Jim took a side trip to Atlanta to visit Caroline and Dan....as well as Clara and Cullen of course! ... Ann headed to a very snowy Toronto to visit Tim, Laura and Stephen. We met back in Florida to do the usual boat shopping including an eventful trip to the Miami boat show. We had seen a 62' Offshore in Newport Beach last fall and were very impressed, partly because it was designed by the same designer as Margoline. Without looking for anything in particular, we found her sistership at the show. That was not the only serendipitous thing to happen to us....the broker showing the boat, Steve, had once worked for Cabo Rico....he built, sailed and sold hull #1.....Margoline....needless to say, Jim and Steve had a lot to talk about! We spent the rest of the show talking with Steve. By the end of the day he had arranged for us to join the crew the next day, to move the boat from the show, back to Ft Lauderdale. It turned out to be a memorable experience. Watching the dismantling of a show of that size was a sight to see. Everything, including docks and steel pylons are removed...in two days the bay returns back to the way it was. The mass exodus of all those yachts is amazing...one by one we all pulled out, minutes after the dock was removed, and the slow line of boats heading down the canal began.

The next day we said our goodbye’s once again to Terry and Tony and headed to Miami to fly to Honduras. The flights went well, but as expected one bag was missing...we have yet to get it back....sigh....here we go again!

We slipped into the shipyard last night for a quick visit to see Margoline, and drop off a few of our things. All seems well there. The water heater was on board, which is a good sign. Hakim and My Joe have gone....hopefully we will be next! Dinner last night, at Expats on the roof patio, turned out to be a brilliant choice, as we had perfect viewing for the lunar eclipse...I hope some of you also watched it...it was fantastic to see.

Jim left early this morning from the apartment for the shipyard, to begin the final work to be done on Margoline....I’m crossing my fingers that all goes well and we can be out of here by Saturday!

Meanwhile, I’ll begin provisioning....always the optimist!

Saturday Feb 9, 2008

The list is getting shorter!

One by one, we are checking things off the "to do" list...Margoline has been cleaned and polished and looks wonderful. Things are being restored and put back into place. I even went over to the workshop and mananged to find two pieces of teak that I can use to have a shelf made for the salon....the men cut it to size for me, I'll stain and varnish it, and Jim can install it. Not a high priority item, but on the list none the less!

Yesterday was incredibly hot, and the no-see-ums continue to persist. Two more days and we are back in North America for another short visit, which we are both looking foward to.

Thurs Feb 7, 08

Our day began at 6:30 a.m. to get ready for the boat to be hauled out. We were at the dock by 7, and up on blocks by 9. It is quite something to see, and raises your pulse somewhat to watch.

The boat is now in the process of being powerwashed, prop checked, new zincs installed and a few other tasks which are much easier being out of the water. We possibly will have some painting done as well, while it is up on the hard.

Our water leak, which we originally thought was from our fresh water tanks, turned out to be a small leak in the water heater. It is now off the boat being repaired and should be re-installed later today. All the things on our "to do list" have now been almost completed....thankfully!

We leave for another short trip to North America next week, and so will leave the boat on the hard while we are gone. When we return, topsides will be cleaned and polished, as will the hull. We should be ready to sail the next day. As it turned out, the winds and seas are quite high right now, so we are just as happy to be settled in the comfort of our Hondurian apartment. 

Tuesday February 5, 2008

Things are moving along, slowly, but moving along none the less, in regards to our boat repairs. Jim spends most of the day at the shipyard, next door, as all repairs and the workmen must be overseen...quality control! It is hot and dirty over there, not a fun place to be. I spend my time in and around the marina, which is quite pleasant...feeling somewhat guilty!

The people here are great, and after "working hours"  we have a lot of fun. If at all possible, we plan to leave asap for the Bay Islands with them. It turns out one of the girls ( from Toronto ) knows some friends of mine...and I know her ex-husband ...small world....

The sounds of a great variety of birds wake us, and then the sounds of repair work begin and unfortunately the sounds of guns....people shoot each other here on a daily basis...I won't miss the sounds of gun shots going off or having to be watched, and let in and out of the marina, and boatyard by armed patrol guards. Yesterday at the shipyard, a string of gunshots could be heard in the distance, and one of our workmen said " hmmmm, mucho morte" ( many dead )  shrugged his shoulders like it was nothing and went back to work...it's a way of life here. Everyday reminders of how lucky we are to live in a safe country, with civilized and non corrupt law enforcement.

All that being said...we are fine and safe...really. It is a learning experience and one that won't be forgotten.

Monday February 4, 2008

We arrived back at Lagoon Marina yesterday afternoon after a three day road trip across Honduras to the ancient city of Copan, home of the famous Mayan ruins.

The trip itself takes about six and half hours...the roads are actually quite good, but like most Central American countries...drivers here seem to have a death wish. They pass on corners and hills, pedestrians, cows, dogs and other obstructions seem not to matter....children play on the side of the highway...and pot holes only add to the creative way of driving here...all in all, a white knuckle experience. When eyes are open, the landscape is spectacular, lush mountains, acres of palm trees, and stony rivers abound. Of the dozen or so military and police check points, we were only stopped once, and had no problem with it.

The first night we spent just outside the city of Copan very close to the ruins, a lovely convention style resort with a spectacular view. The next morning we rose early to see the ruins before it got too crowded and hot. That turned out to be a very good call. Our guide was excellent, and spoke very good English. The site itself is an amazing reconstruction. Copan was superbly advanced in many arts and particularly in stone carving. ( see the pictures )

After our tour we drove ( in our 4 X 4 pick-up truck ) into the city of Copan. We checked into a charming small hotel and set about to see the city on foot. The city itself, resembles Antigua in Guatemala, but lacks the sophistication and cleanliness.We also noted, that unlike Guatemala, and Panama, there were no indigenous people about. The locals, we have seen here, have adapted the western style of dress.

We shopped, dined and enjoyed the local ambiance....definitely a nice break from the boat.