October 2009

BLOW ME AWAY
sailing adventures

OctoberFest

We are anchored in the east Cocos Banderos, a lovely anchorage surrounded on each side by islands.......

Pinch me please. How I love to wake up and as I take a look out of our port window, the view I see I never tire of. Beautiful coconut palm trees dot the islands and white sandy beaches outline each island. And the water? It's beautiful turquoise colors of every shade. But, and there is always a but, some mornings we have been up very early when a squall or frontline passes thru with winds of 30 knots or more. Then the day begins with a bit of anxiety as to if our anchor will hold, or will other cruisers anchors hold. It's just all part of the boating experience.

October 5th BMA Ole!

This past week, we have been having get togethers on each others boats. For example, pizza night on s/v Sandcastle, Linda and Roger, fishfest on s/v Gris Gris, Tom and Julie. So it's our turn to entertain and our theme for the evening is Mexican. The group consists of s/v Bamboozle, Jamie and Lucy; s/v Sandcastle, Roger and Linda; s/v Gris Gris, Tom and Julie; s/v Windancer, Lenny and Sue; and s/v Lightspeed, Dave and Kathy. And we have the honor of Tom being our bartender. That's because he is so darn good at it. He whips up his special margaritas and with my Chicken Tortilla Soup, and many appetizers it's a Mexican-mania fiesta. Lucy surprised us with a specialized T shirt that read Blow Me Away Mexican Night! We first met Bamboozle in Chichime and have enjoyed getting to know them and of course, with this lifestyle, friends are made fast and true and then they leave just as quickly. Jamie and Lucy are from London and are continuing their journey thru the canal and into the South Pacific.

October 9th Grouper Fest

Stephen on s/v Sawadi came by our boat with the biggest smile on his face. When he was out snorkeling, he managed to spear this huge grouper and invited the whole anchorage to share in his good fortune. Everyone met on the island, bringing a dish to share, and over hot coals, Stephen's grouper was grilled for dinner. There's just nothing better than fresh fish and good friends to enjoy it with. Thank you Stephen!

October 12th Glide and BMA Reunion-BirthdayFest

Pam and Denis on s/v Glide have returned! These are two very special friends and we have been looking forward to this day for quite awhile. They were back in the states for the past four months, leaving their boat in Panamarina while they were gone. We are now anchored in the "swimming pool" in the Eastern Hollandes and since we weren't able to be together on Pam's birthday on the 8th, we decide to celebrate it today. Why not? As with every reunion between us, a bottle of champagne and orange juice is served up; it's a mimosa-fest. Later in the day, the entire anchorage is invited to the birthday party on the beach. And yes, the offical birthday pumpkin suit comes out of storage and Pam proudly wears it! I think she looks better in it than I do! What do you think?

October 31st Happy Halloween

Who dares to wear the pumpkin suit today? Glide has gone away to Cartagena so Pam is out of the picture. We are now anchored in Chichime and the weather has been worse than ever. This past week, there have been major thunderstorms and lightning so we are staying as far away from the mainland as possible. The storms are more intense closer to land. As we were heading into the island for another game of volleyball on the beach with our good friends on s/v Simpatica, Louis and Julie, a waterspout was seen off in the distance. Waterspouts are tornadoes but over water and something to avoid. We wonder if anyone is in it's path since it looks to be over the Western Hollandes. That's not a good trick or treat!