Splendid’s decks are almost done. Port, starboard, and aft decks are non-skidie ! I need a day or two to finish the foredeck & cabin house, but wow, the end of an era! No more Cheoy-LEEKY.
Yesterday I had to mow the lawn (clean the bottom) as I’m heading to San Blas with Carla and my guest Chuck next week. Boy am I looking forward to some time there. I was underwater scraping for a few hours and realized I really want a bottom job. I need to get a few charters behind me to make some cake ($), 
but I also need to get back to the reef and hunting on a daily basis and shooting my film. I must find balance : )
Carla and I are getting to know each other and we are getting along famously. I made a few loaves of bread this morning and she whipped up an amazing olive paste to go with it, so yummy! Later on in the day it was off to Panamarina for laundry and a steak. Carla’s a vegetarian and my red meat 
intake has been down, I was craving a steak so bad I couldn’t see straight. The steaks there are pricy ($12.00) but it’s a good piece of meat.
My guest arrives on the 11th and we’ll be in the city for a day or two. We’ll spend a few days here seeing the sights and be off on the first weather window east. The trades have been piping but I’m hoping to catch a break on the trip. Returning is all downhill and a piece of cake.
Carla and I met a really nice artist (Paul Schmidt) who was traveling through the region, here are a few examples of his work. One thing led to another and I mentioned that I always wanted to commission a painting of Splendid at sea for the main saloon. Well as it turns out he said he would love to spend a week in the San Blas, and so a barter was born. A week visitor in 
exchange for a nice piece of art, priceless!
Life is good. I love living on little, swimming 3 times a day, and being the richest poor guy I know (LOL).
Carla mentioned that she would really like to know what some of you guys look like, if you’re up for it go to http://en.gravatar.com/ , and upload a picture so we can all put a face with the name, especially for those of you who comment often.
I have a lot going on in the next few weeks but we are just about to get an infusion of new video on the website, should be fun.
For those of you who are cold and itching to go sailing, don’t forget. If Panama is too far to come for a week check out http://www.FantaSeaSailing.com/ and give my buddy Capt. Paul a shout in Florida. He really does a gr8 job and you don’t have to leave the country for a slice of paradise.
Sail far and live slowly.
Alex
Hey Alex,
Man you look really happy…. I cant wait till I am the same rich poor guy. Oh btw that seafarer didnt go through someone jumped on it before I had a chance to go check it out… its ok though cuz I really thing I need a 30′.. but finding one with a steel hull is near imposable. so ill stick with the reinforced fiberglass… just want to be as safe as I can with Greenland I hear the ice is brutal… I also will be in the market for a dry suit and a backpack dredge, cuz when I get there im gonna be on the hunt for that Greenland gold. Call me crazy but “Its my adventure your welcome to join me.. but anyways I just wanted to say hi and let you know im happy for you man…
oh and my first batch of peach wine is about done, and man does it taste good.
Peace, love, gold and damn good wine!!
I’m really happy things are going so, good for you! It will be great to see some new pics and vids from the San Blas.
Alex,
I was looking forward to seeing you in Portugal some day (which was once in your plans) but, you know, this part of the world is much too formal and regulated for your lifestyle. You’d never be able to charter anywhere in Europe and you’d need two wetsuits to scrape the bottom…it’s freezing here!
You’re living in paradise and you deserve it.
Horatio, s/v Jakatar (shivering in Peniche)
How do i load my picture on here?
Sorry i am kind of computer stupid.
I wish the best for you both and, why not a cruise to the huge Buenos Aires Delta!
My guest showed up (chuck) and he’s a really nice guy. I’m always worried that I won’t get along with my charters as we live very close to each other on a boat but Chuck is cool. We are doing provisioning and getting ready to sail east to San Blas :)
miss you Charly!!! Glad that you guys are having a good time. HUG!
san blas? ahhhhhhhhh suerte bastada…….enjoy
Well it sounds like, in your cyber style that things are feeling good down there. I’m really glad to hear it. Don’t get me wrong bro., it’s really entertaining to watch you go off on a rant or two and jump to another Universe and back. You’ve always entertained me. That’s what keeps me coming back up here to see what your doing now.
Carla looks and sounds great. You guys are good for each other. Enjoy EVERY precious moment.
Hey, thanks for the plug in the post. Never hurts to remind ’em that I’m around SW Florida. I’ve got a 4 day charter going north and a 6 day going south to the Dry Tortugas, Key West, Naples and then back to Fort Myers Beach and I just picked up an 8 day to the Dry Tortugas, Key West, Bahia Honda, Marathon and then back to Fort Myers Beach, so those are nice ones to look forward to. March and April are shaping up.
Half Days and Sunsets are plugging along nicely too.
I just put up a new video at YouTube. I’ll send you the link privately and you can do with it what you want. It’s about 12 minutes and documents the Fort Myers Beach, Dry Tortugas, Key West and then back to Fort Myers Beach run. I like it myself and enjoy watching it now and then.
In any case Carla looks great, but I need a shot of your decks, no offense Carla just a boat thing. My non-skid got put on hold because of weather and boat rides. “Got to make the money to buy the dog food.”
Be safe my friends and try and have some fun down there…
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Glad all is well, hope you get to sailing again soon. Been in St. Kitts couple of weeks and heading to St. Lucia.
I’m happy for you Alex. Humans are not meant to be alone. Can’t wait to meet Carla.
Buddy
S/V Imagine
a few years ago in the san blas, we bought live lobster for$5..congreho (crab) for $3….delivered to the boat. it was great, the only problem is no matter where we anchored alex showed up at sundown for dinner, started calling my wife “MOM”…..it is a great place to spend a month or a year. i haven’t figured out the pic thing…..carla i look like tom sellec only better…….G
Gary, your funny give mom a kiss for me and tell her I miss the coconut rice :)
Hi Alex, Carla looks so awesome, fun and full of life!! Now you truly do live in paradise….you deserve it Alex. Makes me think of that great Stevie Windwood lyric….”and I’ll drink and dance with one hand free….let the world back into me….”