Changes

It is 2:27am and I have just returned from the local disco. How I found myself there, is a long story, but the impetus that drove me to blog at all is some music I heard tonight there. More about that later.
The week has been great, kinda topped off by a wonderful party for St Patty's Day on Thursday evening, at the new deck at the marina green. Again, I played my piano for an hour and half or so, to start the cocktail hour, and was joined by Chuck - a Hungarian on a boat here - who plays a very decent sax. Also David came up and sang a bit and added his mandolin to my music. He is an extremely talented guitarist and entertainer, and we have played together several times going back to Christmas. Perhaps 3 or 4 boats total, prepared Irish stew for the dinner and it turned out that for 110 Limperas - about $5 - we had a great meal, and cheap drinks. The night progressed eventually to loud dance music, and I had the pleasure of dancing with a new lady here, my friend Norma, and the woman who organized the party. I should write here, that for anyone interested, Fantasy Island Marina, Roatan, Honduras, on FaceBook, always has updated and good pictures - now thanks to Joyce becoming a semi-official photographer' for the cruisers' activities.
For much of the last few weeks, life has been very easy and good. I wake at 8am, and eventually make my 2 cups of coffee in Anne-Marie's old French press - her Bodem - since the nicer one I had finally was dropped and cracked. Either crunches and push-ups, or a short jog on the beach get me going, or rather help get my heart pumping. Most often, I take a book to the beach, and read, and either sip a half and half mix of pineapple and orange juice, or ask for rum to be added. I most often take a good swim, for the stretching and exercise, but the dip in the salt water is always refreshing, and also, on many days, is my 'shower'. Back to AF for some dinner, or off to a local restaurant. Back home to read, or back to the bar for a nightcap. Would be - and IS for some - an easy lifestyle to become addicted to the booze, and I often laugh to myself about a line from one of the Godfather movies - repeated several times on the Sopranos series, about trying to get out of the business, but being dragged back in. Is the same for drinking, as many days, I wouldn't drink alcohol, but someone stops or invites me to join them and the cycle continues. Well, so what! I do not live this life, and have not for several years, aiming at longevity.
I heard from a friend in Baltimore today, commenting that I had not posted anything lately, so I called him and caught him up on my - can I say boring?? - life. (Is not at all boring, but, living in paradise can become monotonous, but, as I hear so often here, 'somebody has to do it.') Wes and I talked for 30 minutes, and it was good to hear his voice, and he caught me up to date with his life, and the scene at my former home in Inner Harbor, MD.
Tonight was the cruisers' BBQ but I chose not to go with food, having eaten earlier, but had a few drinks. Talked to Sue, who works on boats - half of a Canadian couple but she was raised in New Yawk. She has become, for me, one of the guys, and has filled me in on places to visit, hotels to spend a night, and things in Honduras that are worth my time. Since she is one of the guys here, I feel free now to 'lift a leg' more near to her proximity than I would normally, in front of a lady, and we always laugh about it. I was surprised and pleased to see that my friend Paul came back today, after his surgery in Atlanta. He says he is walking better and the pain is less. (It was a bit of a shock, although I was prepared via Joyce's blog entries, to see how much his stenosis has crippled him in only 2 years since I crewed with them to SXM.) But was great to see him back again. He brought their new kitty along - a - oops, I will not spell this right - Maincoon. My first wife and I had one, as well as my friend Bart and his then-wife, and so I have an attachment to the breed.
So, after speaking to a couple cruisers, and then Sue, I visited my good friends Jim and Norma, and their dog, Rico, and had a couple more vodka and tonics. Another very nice couple came by, and I used their checking on pork chops on the grill to make my exit. Looks like I am taking care of Rico while they return to the US in June. He and I will get along fine, even if he is a white poodle!
Back to the resort bar, and ran into Marcio, who is the 'money man' here at the resort. If you look back to New Year's Eve, I think there is a picture of Patty, and Marcio, and I at the Deck Cafe. He had a friend with him, who is a doctor, and making his public service to the government of Honduras, with a year of practice at the hospital in Coxen Hole. After a couple more, I was offered to depart the resort with them and head for the the local disco, or the West End. (Geesh, I guess I will get into a car with anyone - I thought we were going to the West End, but stopped, instead, at the disco at the mall - a place I have visited before several times.)
I danced with the owner of the Rotisseria Alamen - German rotissery - and saw 2 girls, and their dates, who work here in the restaurant. Have known each GIRL since I arrived, about 8 or even 9 months ago. Their boyfriends/husbands asked us to join them, and after Marcio and Mario had had enough, I decided to stay, and continue dancing, with the assurance that I would get 'home' safely.
So, as I said at the beginning, what drew me to write, besides what Wes wrote about my not having made a post for a while, was the music. Yes, is very loud, and the disco is just like any found back home, but with a Latin flavor, for sure. But one of the favorite 'mixes' here, starts with a World War II song that Mom and Dad would have danced to. It amazed me to watch these kids either trying to jitter-bug or, if the skills weren't there, dance some Latin salsa-ey steps to this music. The mix jumps to 50's music and then on into more modern and more Latin, but the start always seems to get the dance floor moving, and happy. (There is a group of private high school seniors here just now, and I saw the same reaction 2 nights ago to this mix of music as I saw tonight.)
Everything changes, and nothing changes.
Home safe, after turning down a ride with a fellow who works in the dive shop, and came up to me to speak at the disco, to 2 after hour places, 'where the girls are' but ready for bed instead. I will do the after hour thing one Saturday night, I am sure, having heard of it now for several months.
So, that is a taste of my life today.
Changes.....
Life is good.

A suggestion

I would like to recommend to those of you who follow here, a youtube channel just set up by my friend, Drake, from s/v Paragon. www.youtube/drakeParagon.com

I met Drake in Bermuda, where he, along with then-girlfriend, Erin, came to AF to assist me in removing the jib from the furler and folding it, so that I could take it in to the sailmaker. It was a task I had never performed, and the sail itself is bulky and heavy, and was difficult to handle alone. I could not have done it without their help.

Later, Drake and I had a rather harrowing experience late one night, searching for his tender which had come untied at the St George dock. At the time, we were both a bit scared, I think, as the wind and tide were blowing us out the cut in the harbor when my engine failed us, and we ran aground on a breakwater for a moment. We did not recover the tender, nor was it ever found in Bermuda. Drake was sick at his loss.

Drake's videos - 6 in all - document his trip from NYC to Bermuda. He enjoyed the same seas that broke my steering, and towed a sailboat in distress for a long way, towards Bermuda. The experience was not the most pleasant, as the captain of the boat in distress, had no money to reimburse Drake for spent diesel, allowed the 2 boats to collide causing damage to each, and seemed to me to prove himself quite a butt-head later when I met him in St. George.

At this time I have not viewed all 6, as the internet connection is fairly slow, but have seen No 1 and jumped ahead to No 4 and wait for it to load as I type this. So, if you would like a very nice look at what life is like aboard a boat being single handed as I do, take some time and check out Drake's videos.

Felize Cumpleanos to me! 58 Years and still kickin'

As birthdays go, this has been pretty damned good. I remember my last, in St Marten, which was wonderful and spent with good, new friends.This year's has been spread over several days - with more to come, I think - and each fun in its own way.

Saturday was my birthday and also the cruiser's potluck BBQ here at Fantasy. So, I bought 2 carrot cakes to bring to the pot luck as my contribution. Laying on the beach all afternoon, baking I should add, the manager here, Marianella, came by and told me she was bringing her two girls so spend some of the day here, and would I take them for another dink ride and play with them.

I forgot all about them. After baking on the beach, I walked over to my dock, put a better shirt on, and picked up the 2 cakes, plates, cutting knife, etc. and set off for the 'marina green'. As I passed the pool, to beautiful little Latina faces jumped out at me, from the pool, and I remember my obligation. Dropped off my 2 cakes for the cruisers, and headed back to AF to get the dink and ride over to the beach where my 2 little friends waited with their nanny. I rode them over to the cruiser's BBQ for a picture - proof that I was with 2 beautiful Latin ladies, but alas, very young. They enjoy the ride in the dink, but even more, they like to play a game with my hand pump. They fill it with sea water, I say it is broken, putting my finger in the hole, and when I put my face in to see what the problem is, one of them pumps water into my face, 'surprising' me. It gets a laugh every time.

So, although not perfect, my birthday was pretty nice.

Nice dates, huh??

When I was done playing with the girls, I returned to the BBQ to find that most of the food was gone, but Jerry and Annie shared a spare chicken breast with me, I had 2 different pasta salads, a piece of my carrot cake.

When I arrived, friend Joyce made sure that I got a happy birthday sung to me, and she had also bought a delicious rum cake for me as well. My time with the girls had messed up her plan, but she saved me some cake so I had TWO pieces.

Thank you so much, Joyce. (Paul departed for the States that morning for his next spinal surgery, but not before presenting me with a great LED light strip that I hope will work in my galley. Thanks, Paul.)

Sunday morning, Skip returned from Brick Bay, and surprised me with another cake that he asked Morris Johnson to bake for me. He said Morris was happy to be doing for me, and I am sure that I have made another friend here on Roatan.

This one I shared with more of the workers here who have become friends, than I was able to with the others, but there was enough that night to offer some to Skip, Jean-Marie, the guy who is head of security and who's name I cannot remember for the life of me, and Edsel, local guy who is boat sitting 2 boats behind me. Later, taxi driver Edgar showed up - I think he can smell free rum and Cokes - and had the last piece.

Life is good.

Everyday Life.....

Life for me is pretty basic and becoming something of a routine. A good routine, mind you. (Lately, I get up at 8am, make my coffee and drink it with a local sugar biscuit, run my little jog out the beaches, do some needed sit ups and a few push ups, and internet.) The trade winds are back - strong at night, but keep the clouds cleared away and the sun on the beach can bake you, and you dont know it because of the breeze. So a few hours on the beach, reading - I read about 3 books a week lately - or watching the ladies walk by. A few orange juices followed often by a few rum and orange juices, rum and Coke, or beers. Some lunch on the boat, or early dinner sometimes, a nap often fits in late in the day, and after some dinner, return to the bar to see what is about that night.
Occasionally, the routine is broken by some nice folks - sometimes boaters, and other times, guests at the resort. Below is Emilio and his daughter, Paloma. He is a retired Iberia Air pilot, flying for a tiny airline in Guatemala now, and she owns a small restaurant in what they describe as a beautiful village in Southeast Spain. She sent me photos on Facebook, and it is beautful. Also, her mother owns a small hotel in Morocco, and the photos of that are amazing.
This wonderful couple have an amazing friendship and closeness now, and I was glad to invite them for another rum and Coke on AF, along with my buddy, Rene - the Austrian, who bought me a beer in Guatemala one day. His gf, Petra has returned to Vienna, and he is deciding where to leave his boat for the season - return to the Rio Dulce, or leave it on the hard here at the new ship yard.
Anyway, Emilio and Paloma are 2 special people and I am so glad to have met them. You might remember that I feed the Watusas every day. I whistle and they come running. Because I am alone, there are never any pictures of me doing it, but Skip was here one day on his boat, and asked to 'feed my kids."

A funny thing happened the other day. When I whistled and they came running - about 5 of them just now - I noticed a small iguana coming as well. Now he responds and comes running, and has started to take the bread or cookie out of my hand, like the 'rabbits' do, although he whips his tail at them - his defense, even with those mean countenances. I understand that a large one can leave quite a welt on your leg if they whip a man.

So that is a taste of my life lately. Not too special, but - hey, not too shabby, either.

Life is good.

Trip to Brick Bay

A few weeks ago - Well, first I should apologize for not having posted anything here for so long. Have been busy, ill, busy again, and then my birthday came along. So, for those who check regularly for anything new, I am sorry.
A few weeks ago, I went down to my friend, Skip's, house in Brick Bay. Well, it is not his house, but he is the permanent house sitter. It was one of those things that come along once in a while that turn out to be good luck. (A couple here vacationing at the resort brought up the subject that her mother and dad had built a 4 unit apartment here, but no one in the family was using it regularly, and it had been burglarized several times over the years. So they were looking for a house sitter, and Skip fit the bill. His wife will move here to join him after her US citizenship comes through, and 2 living on his small boat will be a bit crowded. This worked out perfectly.) I had wanted to see the place and so asked if I could come down for a couple nights.
The house is about a half mile from the main road in the center of the island, and there is nothing there to do - no tv, radio, and the neighbors dont speak English. Their dogs are good company for Skip though.

We used Edgar for the taxi ride, stopping at the store for groceries. Then Petrosun for a beer. Then we stopped at a little bar in Los Fuertes that I know, and drank - oh, about 8 or 9 more. Below is the bartender there. We had so much fun - in broad daylight, dancing and acting the fools. This place gives the designation 'dive' a new meaning. Skip poses with this cutie - the bartender and not a 'bar girl' - her husband works at Eldon's, the good grocery store we use all of the time.

Here's a blurry shot - thanks Skip - of her again, and the other one IS a bar girl who came up and put her arm around me with the speed of light.

Notice the lady and her son in the background - they enjoyed watching the Gringos having fun and playing around.

Happily married, she still danced and played as much as the other. A real cutie....

We arrived at the the house in the dark. Skip took forever to find the key, the doorknob, and unlock the door. The whole time, there were at least 3 dogs growling at me in the dark. (Here, at night, away from towns, it get REAL dark.

But the next day, I got to see this place and it was great. Rustic, for sure, but a nice place for a private vacation, as the neighbors work all day.

A small living room and kitchen -

The view out the front windows - well they really aren't windows, but screens with very nice wooden slatted shutters.

A nice balcony on the second floor where the bath and 2 modest bedrooms are -

I should add that when laying in bed, you can see the living room lights, or bedroom lights peeking in from knotholes and nail holes, and the neighbors ARE just inches away. It is not very sophisticated construction.

The front yard -

A short walk to a small sitting deck - you can see one of the growlers from the 1st night, who became instantly friendly in daylight, sprawled on the deck, napping in the shade. Skip keeps a waterbowl filled for them by the front door.

Another of the guys who seem to use his deck as their daytime offices.

As I keep old bread, crackers and cookies for my watusas, Skip buys cheap cookies to feed to his new friend. On the walk to the main road (very treacherous at midnight, I might say) he introduced me to HIS friend, this wonderful old monkey, who lives on a chain, has a little roofed house, and presumably is fed regularly.

They sit on this stone bench like 80 year old lovers, attentive to each other, affectionate, sort of holding hands and thinking of the past.

She really didnt like my intrusion, and started acting a bit queer, so we left. The next time we passed, I stayed on the road, leaving them to their private conversation.

The obligatory chicken and rooster came by for scraps.

The half mile walk to the main road, a left and 200 yards down the road, and you find Morris Johnson's place. Cold, and cheap beer, and home cooked food. He gets up early, and bakes bread, and cinamon rolls. These are 2 of his bartender/daughters I think. There are young people everywhere, and you have to watch where you step, or you might stomp on a kid. It is a nice place, with friendly people and kids everywhere. Morris owns many small houses on the property, so the family and tenants are in and out all day and night.

Morris is an interesting fellow, and welcomed me like a brother. Each time I pass now, I stop in for a cold one.

I cannot remember this kid's name but he was a regular friend who loves to dance to reggae music. (Surprisingly, US country music is very popular here, and he doesnt dance to that.)

I drank too much. Made a drink with ice from fetid water. Became dehydrated. And from one of those things, or a mix of it all, spent a week back on AF feeling bad and low. But the trip was worth it.

Haooy - Sorry - I meant HaPPy Ending

A tiny crisis here has had me and many other cruisers upset, and I can now write that it has reached a very positive conclusion.
When my friend, Jean-Marie, a Belgian who now lives in the Czech Republic, where he owns a lumber company, arrived at Fantasy, every man noticed the beautiful young woman with him. She probably was the most beautiful woman here at the time, and turned many heads as she passed coming up from the beach to the bar in her bikini. Many times, I saw a 2nd man with them at their table. After the 2nd man departed, and later the girl, I became acquainted with him, and asked him about his friends. She was a girlfriend who had lived with him aboard for 7 months, and the other man was a Canadian friend, who had departed for the island of San Adres, off the coast of Nicaragua.
Five days after the Canadian's departured, Jean Marie began to worry. There was no word from his friend. As the days ticked by, more concern for him - he was overdue from what should be about a 4 day sail. No one had heard from him and he had a girlfriend and another lady coming to visit him in San Andres on Valentine's Day, and they had heard nothing.
I asked Jean-Marie why he did not come on the morning cruiser's net here, and put the word out to look out for his friend and his boat, and he replied that he felt his English was not good enough, so I asked him to write down all of the pertinent info for me, and I carried it to Jerry, the dock master here, who gladly put the word out where it spread across an Eastern Caribbean Cruisers' Net run on the SSB radios. As word spread, with no one reporting the boat, and friends becoming more worried, it looked more and more bad for this man. His girlfriend canceled her tickets for her visit. Jean-Marie went to the Port Captain here, where he was stonewalled. But other countries agreed to start a search for the vessel - Nicaragua, Guatemala, Colombia, and finally Canada. With some pressure, even Honduras relented and initiated some search.
Yesterday, the 15th or 16th day since the boat's departure, Nicaragua reported that they had found the man and boat, and towed him to a small bay there. He had suffered a catastrophic electrical failure. The cause was not known yet, but speculation here included a lightening strike - his is a steel boat - which could have ruined all the compasses aboard, making navigation almost impossible.
Anyway, it is a happy ending to what I had assumed was going to be a very bad tale, which possibly would never have an answer. I am glad that I played a tiny role getting the search started. There are so many risks at sea, whether with several folks and more when sailing alone, and in the area he was travelling, there have been numerous pirates reported. It gets worse as the world economy tumbles.

FB Plug for Fantasy Island Marina

Not one to plug things here, but there are some great pictures of stuff that happens around here at the marina, as well as what the place looks like, daily life, and special events (45 cruises at the Super Bowl party) and yes, once in a while I turn up in some of the pictures. Jerry, the dock master here, does a great job and has taken good care of me, from the day I arrived and he towed me in, to the present.


http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Fantasy-Island-Marina-Roatan-Honduras/119496711394163