The big day is fast approaching….
We’ve been at the marina in the lovely community of Huatulco for the past week. We had a rather exciting evening with a major thunder/lightning storm with lots of flooding. There was a lightning strike about 10 feet from the boat, which was pretty freaky. That is one of the major concerns on a boat, because a direct strike could result in losing all of our electronics. The next day the water in the marina was full of debris, including a dead cat and in the canal, a dead body…..truly.
We have met a very nice Canadian couple, Gerry and Chris who live and travel on their custom built powerboat, Misty Michael. I’m grateful for Gerry for taking me to her Yoga class, where I had the honour of meeting the instructor Susan. She is truly a gift and I’ve enjoyed the four classes I was able to participate in while I’ve been here. 
So the organization and planning for two separate, large trips has been rather daunting and has taken over six months, but that is half the fun! You can see from the following photos, that Peter ensued there was enough beer, wine and rum for the duration (including our longer crossing in early July). 
We’ve been at the marina in the lovely community of Huatulco for the past week. We had a rather exciting evening with a major thunder/lightning storm with lots of flooding. There was a lightning strike about 10 feet from the boat, which was pretty freaky. That is one of the major concerns on a boat, because a direct strike could result in losing all of our electronics. The next day the water in the marina was full of debris, including a dead cat and in the canal, a dead body…..truly.
We have met a very nice Canadian couple, Gerry and Chris who live and travel on their custom built powerboat, Misty Michael. I’m grateful for Gerry for taking me to her Yoga class, where I had the honour of meeting the instructor Susan. She is truly a gift and I’ve enjoyed the four classes I was able to participate in while I’ve been here.
Susan...a very special Yoga instructor
Our Yoga class...notice the little white Poodle doing downward facing dog!
The last couple of days I did manage to talk Peter in to coming to join us for “coffee” after my Yoga class and he really enjoyed meeting the locals…and of course drinking Mescal and cervaza’s at 9:30 in the morning. One of the Yoga participants, Salvadore owns an outdoor coffee shop and he treated all of us to fresh sushi along with the Mexican libations today!
Miguel...kindly cutting the Sushi up for all of us.
Our generous host Salvador giving instructions
What a spread...cervasa's, Mescale and Sushi
Earlier this week, we went shopping for some silver jewellery and I could barely drag Peter out of the store, since the owners sat down and had four beers with him. He said it was his best shopping experience ever!
Apart from these great experiences and a few Happy Hours, our entire week has been spent getting ready for our two big trips.
Apart from these great experiences and a few Happy Hours, our entire week has been spent getting ready for our two big trips.
Dinghy tied down on deck, extra fuel cans on either side
On Sunday, May 31st Don Hall, Peter’s high school friend (I can’t say they grew up together, since I’m not sure either of them have grown up yet) will be flying in. (This is assuming that the youths who are currently closing the highway with a road blockade from the airport will be dispersed by then – I’m not kidding on this either!). Weather permitting, government officials willing – they will cast off the dock lines and head across the wild blue yonder for 1,000 miles to the Galapagos Islands.
It is expected to take them anywhere from 8 to 10 days of sailing 24 hours a day. They'll do three hours on shift/three hours off, weather and energy levels permitting.
Even more fuel lashed to the swim platform.
Peter has ensured that he has enough fuel if they have to motor the entire way, which is a very real possibility since they are crossing the “doldrums”. Having sufficient fuel is very important since just a couple of weeks ago a fellow cruiser ran out of fuel when almost at the Galapagos, and because he was bucking a 2 knot current he had to go out of his way and land at Easter Island…total time at sea 30 days – plus he then had another 6 to come back to the Galapagos once he got fuel.
When Don is flying in, Diana will be flying out to South America to meet up with her dear friend Martha (and Don’s wife) where they will spend 10 days together hiking to Manchu Picchu and then flying to the Galapagos to rendezvous with the guys for a further 10 days together in the Islands.
When Don is flying in, Diana will be flying out to South America to meet up with her dear friend Martha (and Don’s wife) where they will spend 10 days together hiking to Manchu Picchu and then flying to the Galapagos to rendezvous with the guys for a further 10 days together in the Islands.
So the organization and planning for two separate, large trips has been rather daunting and has taken over six months, but that is half the fun! You can see from the following photos, that Peter ensued there was enough beer, wine and rum for the duration (including our longer crossing in early July).
Delivered right to the dock.
He's still wondering "is this going to be enough???"
On Monday, June 1st, Don becomes the “official communicator” for the blog and he will be reporting daily with position, wind and sea conditions, etc. – assuming they are able to get out on the Ham radio to post. We have added a “position reporter” on the sidebar called “Where the heck is QuickStar now?”. You can click on this at anytime to see visually where QuickStar is….we are currently working out some bugs and it is hard to test in the marina, but hopefully it will be fully functional once we are at sea. So, if you are interested in open ocean sailing, you can check in on this blog each day to see where the guys are at and how things are going out at sea.
You’ll hear from me again with reports on Manchu Picchu once we are in the Galapagos Islands….
P.S. Glad to know that Kylie survived being evacuated from her home in Australia during the floods.
You’ll hear from me again with reports on Manchu Picchu once we are in the Galapagos Islands….
P.S. Glad to know that Kylie survived being evacuated from her home in Australia during the floods.
Until the next time……………..sow seeds of kindness.
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