TEAM SPLENDID: Bart, Danja, Thomas, and Sabine. Thanks for an AWSOME time!
We had a beautiful week providing a 5 day kite-boarding charter which we landed through, and shared with Nirvana charters.
We had a lovely crew from Belgium, Switzerland, and Holland. Two couples on Splendid and six guys on Nirvana’s boat.
Carla and I were preparing meals for 15 people. No small task but our lobster dinners and lobster pizzas for lunch were a big hit.
The last 5 days have been full of kite boarding, snorkeling, swimming, eating, laughing, and making
new friends.
I also got a kite boarding lesson and I must say when I have a few thousand dollars of disposable income I’d love to buy some gear. Kite boarding is such a FUN, FUN, FUN sport.
Such a great sport for sailors too. When the wind is up over 25+ knots most sailors sit in a protected anchorage and don’t even go snorkeling as it’s too windy.
Hummm, what to do when the wind is up? Kite boarding is surely the answer. Grab your kite, harness, board, and a pump and hit the beach. Kite boarding is a bit gear-intensive but really seems to be worth the set up time. Usually about 15 minutes to pump up the kite and launch.
It’s not a great solo-sport like spear fishing or surfing as you really need someone in a dinghy to run safety and help you launch, but now that I have my beautiful wife it seems like a real option. Such a fun way to stay fit as well.
We haven’t chartered for the last 10 months and this was a really great opportunity not only make some cash, but some friends too.
We really had to do a big push getting ready for this charter. Carla and I had to build a new cockpit floor, and Carla built a new settee. But she is really a ninja on the Sailrite machine, she can build anything.
Our main saloon now doubles as a third double and we can easily handle three-couple charters and provide privacy for everyone. So if you want to go on a nice paradise vacation with some friends give us a shout. Our table now drops down, and I built an insert for a cushion. The pleated backrest slides out, we add a nice sheet set and pillows and voila, a totally comfortable third cabin.
Carla will be building a soft wall and zippered door that will roll down in the main saloon turning our settee into a third private cabin. Carla and I have been sleeping on it for the last week and I must say it will be a comfortable cabin for a couple with reading lights, window, library, fans, and power for late-night movies on the laptop.
We both really enjoy sharing our lifestyle and beautiful locations with others, just so much damn fun! Carla and I are also both food-people and express Love through food which is a good quality for a couple running a charter boat, wouldn’t you say?
We explored some new anchorages during this trip and I found a very secluded spot where Carla and I will return to. No other boats, internet, or telephone. Just reef, perfect post-card islands, and water that radiates 1000 shades of blue.
We have another charter booked mid-March but we have plenty of time over the next three months and I’m willing to cut some really, REALLY good deals as we are really trying to finish Splendid and get ready for a trans-Pacific and world voyage.
If you’re interested, at least check airfare prices, they are pretty cheap to Panama. Carla saw $250 R/T from Ft. Lauderdale. You would fly into Panama City’s Tocumen international Airport (PTY) and I would arrange everything from there.
I don’t want to sound like a used car salesman but I really am willing to cut some super charter deals, 
especially since I need some things from the states and by you bringing my gear I’d be saving a ton in shipping.
So if you are into it, strike while the iron is hot and the weather cold. Join us in paradise for a week or two and warm your bones.
Peace, Love, and Coconuts.
Sail far and live slowly.
– alex