I just got internet back this morning, the phone has been spotty but I managed a few calls and emails on the iphone yesterday. It’s still raining but “they” are saying after Wednesday the season should turn and the bulk of the rain should be behind us. I haven shot a fish in weeks as the water is filled with logs, mud, and there is no visibility. God I wish for some sun! I don’t have a dry towel and everything is damp and dank on the boat. Mold has been growing in hyper drive and i see just how bad my leeks are. I know where they are and will fix them this dry season, it’s the chain plates and stanchion bases.
I believe the buses are running again and I will go to Panama City to get my parts on Wednesday. I have to figure out what I’m going to do for my visa which expires on the 22nd, I’d like to not be stuck on a bus for Christmas. Coasta Rica is a 15 hours on buses for me each way, ARRRGGGGG!
I’ll have another video up this week that will show you guys the 20k Cal 46 my buddy bought, what an awesome boat!
I’m sorry if I haven’t returned everyone’s emails in the past week or replied to posts, i just haven’t had the means. A French boat went up on the reef here during the worst of the weather. A few friends and myself tried getting it off that night but it became too dangerous. After my buddy got pitched off the deck into the black water we decided to leave it. The boat wasn’t someone’s home and if you use rope instead of chain on your anchor, well, ship happens! The owner showed up the next day and got it off the reef using two launchas (40HP each) and it took about 4 hours.
Anyway, Life should be easier after Wednesday :)
Cheers.
Peace, Love, and sunshine!
– Alex
Whenever it’s rough there on Splendid and vicinity, just remember it’s even rougher in office cubicles and suburban neighborhoods, only in a different way.
Fletch,
So true :)
Many people have died here in the last week from mud slides, there is a “rough” post-disaster vibe in the air. That’s what I was referring to. That accompanied with the torrential rain and being wet for 10 days has been depressing. Sunny skies ahead though!!!
I agree Brother…
Let the sun shine. It’s been cold up here in SWF. I mean it was 30 degrees on the beach today. Long pants, warm socks and rubbing wax/cleaner on the metal seems to be a week away. Burrrrr. It must be winter… Everywhere.
Sorry to hear about the disaster down there. Rain and mud is a bad mix. It moves. My best wishes go out to all your amigos. It’s a time for community and human to human connection is in order.
So let the sun shine. It’s good for the Spirit. I mean how much rum can you drink sitting on a dank, dark, wet boat. Even in paradise.
Be safe. We’ll talk soon.
Did you get the dic’s?
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
By the way, I have a buddy here who is looking for a cook (female) to cook and clean on a 46′ charter cat, salary plus commission if you know of someone have them contact sunrunnerpaul at live.com. Starting January 2011.
Capt paul,
I got an email saying I have mail in PC but have been stuck on the boat, wil;l try to get it mid week :)
I know its silly to get excited about a heater being in Panama but NAVIGATOR STOVE WORKS just released a new stove and the one I eventually want. Check it out:
http://www.marinestove.com/herringinfo.htm
I want the herring (Diesel burning) for my main cabin and the Little cod (wood burning) for my aft cabin:
http://www.marinestove.com/codinfo.htm
These guys are artists of marine stoves. It will be nice to sail cold climates with a toasty boat :)
Hey Alex, I was reading the current Latitudes and Attitudes (Jan. 2011 issue) and I came across this short article:
“Panama Piracy
Although the area of Puerto Lindo is considered a safe place for cruisers, in late October a powerboat in the Isla Linton anchorage was boarded and robbed at gunpoint. The incident took place after midnight when three men, one armed with an automatic pistol, boarded the Belgium flagged Mili. The owner, who is from Martinique, was relieved of just over $400 cash and some electronics. L&A contributor Alex Dorsey reported that the police were actively investigating the incident, “busting through town like storm troopers,” but the robbers had worn masks so identification would be difficult.”
Nice job Alex!
Unfortunatly It happens everywhere :(
I just read about the storms. Sorry to hear about all the chaos.
Remember when people on here talk about how “easy” you have it, it’s just that you are doing what you choose, when you choose, and where you choose. You made the sacrifices and do the hard work to keep things that way.
You made the commitment, many of us haven’t, or can’t, and so we live on day to day doing what others tell us we must do, and living how others tell us we should live, and that is the ultimate struggle. Some are too timid to make the choice, and others (like myself) live with real constraints.
I’d rather be taken by the sea than by the corporate machine.
Rich,
I’d rather be taken by the sea than by the corporate machine as well, ten times out of ten. Yesterday Splendid was rolling gunnel to gunnel, not a good day to be stuck on the boat, it felt like sailing downwind in a short choppy sea. Still better than being caught up in the system :)Cheers mate.
WATCHING CABLE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I RECOGNIZED A VOICE….ALEX DORSEY SAILING DOWN THE DITCH…YOU ARE INFAMOUS….BOUGHT A BOAT-GONE FISHING……………………….G
Gary, I’f I sail to hawii. Will you give me a job on your boat? You know I’m a good capt!!!
yea….it is a two man boat…you qualify….but i have a cpt………………….g
Gary, what’s the real deal cruising in Hawaii I hear you can only anchor in a port for 48 hours?
Just guessing but I think it may be only you that can anchor in the port for only 48 hours. Everyone else can stay as long as they want.Lol
Have a great Christmas Alex///I’ll be in Santa Marta Colombia with some of the same weather so I am also hoping it changes
Jason, Hawaii is known to be very “unfriendly” to cruisers and anchoring, too bad. The weater here is shaping up a bit we actually had some sun today. Off to PC in the AM, Argggg!
get back to you tomorrow with the answer……you get so many days a year as a transient. there are pleanty of bays to anchor in, but shore access is some times difficult. most cruisers make this a seasonal stop, on their way south or returning to mainland.
Gat a mailing address Alex?