Beautiful Cartagena, Colombia

Of all the places we hear other cruisers talk about, the historical city of Cartegena is by far the most loved. The history goes back to the fort's construction which began at the end of the 16th century, and took two hundred years to complete due to the repeated damage inflicted by storms and pirates. Everywhere you look you see beautifully preserved Spanish colonial architecture. Here are a few of our favorite pictures.

Not your normal mode of transporation!

Saint Pedro Claver's Church and Monastery was built at the beginning of the 17th century by priests of the Jesuit community. The church was restored in 1921 and the present dome was added.

The Palace of the Inquisition

Beautiful La Catedral

Busy, narrow streets that look and feel a lot like New Orleans.

(How 'bout them Saints!)

Emeralds are what everybody buys in Columbia. Here's the ring Ricky picked out as Danielle's "welcome back to the boat" surprise.

We're in Aruba now, and sail tomorrow for Curacao, then on to Bonaire.

Sea Ya!

Ricky, Robin and Danielle

Last Days in San Blas Islands

After many happy weeks exploring the beautiful San Blas Islands and meeting the Kuna Indians, it was finally time for us to move on. But here are a few last pictures to remember our wonderful experience.

This is a typical Kuna village, one hut built right next to their neighbor, with only a narrow dirt walking path between. The men fish, the women sew. One interesting fact I just learned is that the Spanish missionaries taught the Kuna women to make molas to cover their chests.

This is one example of a "tourist" mola sold by women paddling their canoes from sailboat to sailboat. Molas are bright colors and depict local animals and sea creatures.

This one is only 6" X 6" and I purchased 3 for $9.00.

This mola is more traditional with different kinds of stitches and a more intracate pattern. Several master mola makers are very well known and sign their pieces. I purchased this mola from a young man named Venancio. It is framed and hangs above our master berth. I paid $40.00 for this larger 16" X 20"size. Can you tell it's a tortuga (turtle)?

Danielle purchased Kuna beads from this woman, who had to show her how to wrap the long string around her ankle many times and tie it off.

Just look at these beautiful children! The cruisers use the small island that this family lives on to play volleyball and have potlucks, so this Kuna family is always invited as well. They speak a little Spanish, so it's hard to communicate. They are as curious about us as we are of them.

Danielle, the beach bum! She enjoys dressing up for dinners and parties on the islands with friends.

One day Danielle and I were eating lunch on the front of the boat when this little guy landed and stayed long enough for us to take photos.

Another kind a star fish, we enjoyed playing with the small brittle stars. A tiny sea urchin is pictured to the right.

This group gathered to celebrate a cruiser's birthday with good food and music.

We met new friends on the beach for snacks and conversation. It's rare to find cruising families with teens on board, and Visions of Johanna had two sons whom Danielle enjoyed scuba diving with. We also hosted a game night on our boat for this group, but the best part was all the wonderful deserts everyone made.

Bill from Another Road took us out conch hunting, then showed us how to clean, batter and fry them. Too much work, if you ask me!

Good friends from New Orleans Tom and Julie aboard Gris Gris

Sea Ya!

The Sailing Wrights

Surfing in Costa Rica

After our trips back to the states in July, and Danielle's return from Japan, we decided to take the bus from Panama City to Costa Rica and pay special friends Rosemary and son David a visit. They went through the Panama Canal aboard their beautiful 70' racing schooner Nina while we were at home, and we just didn't get to say our good-byes. Their new home is Fish Hook Marina in Gulfito located in a huge protected bay on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. Nice hotel, great restaurant, friendly staff. We visited an old sugar plantation close by, swam in the pool at the country club, and hiked into the jungle to a beautiful waterfall.

Robin, Rosemary, David and Danielle

Icy cold!

We were introduced to a new fruit that we saw people eating at the bus stations called mimones. At first glance, I thought they were strawberries, about the same size and color, except hairy. A nice young college student from Colombia told me what they were, then went over and purchased a bag and let us try them. You easily pop open the red outer covering and find a slippery white fruit inside, then you eat the fruit away from a large round pit like an olive. The flavor reminds me of a grape, sweet but kind of sour at the same time. Mimones grow high in the trees, and are first green in color, then they turn yellow, and finally red when ripe.


Danielle, Ricky and David were invited by a really great guy (and marina staff) named Graven to learn how to surf at his home in Zancudo, a well-known, popular spot for surfers. They had such a good time that we decided to extend our stay and go back. We traveled by water taxi about 30 minutes through the mangroves and then walked quiet a distance down a dirt road, finally reaching our hotel and beach destination. Simply lovely! The sand was black, and I was amazed at how far out the water recedes at low tide. They surfed for three days straight, loving every minute of it. Here are a couple of surfing pixs.

Relaxing in the hammock

Beautiful hibiscus bloomed everywhere in shades of red, peach, pink, and yellow.

Graven's dog digging in the black sand.

Sea Ya!

Ricky, Robin and Danielle

Friends Visit Us in San Blas Islands

Our first friends to visit us on the boat in Panama were Kim and Marianne Vedros. Danielle was spending two weeks in Japan, so the timing was perfect. We sailed from Shelter Bay Marina on August 8th, stopping overnight in Linton so they could meet our friends, Roger and Bennie, and see their pet sloths. Then we sailed 8 hours on the 9th and arrived in the "swimming pool" in the Holandes Cays of Kuna Yala just in time for a quick swim before taking a finger food to the Monday night weekly Cruisers Get-Together on BBQ Island. The week went by much too fast. We snorkeled every day in a different spot, and saw sting rays, squid, lobster, baracuda, and lots of beautiful fish and coral. Below Kim shows off the nice Bar Jack he reeled in while fishing off the back of the boat.

We hated to say "good-bye" in the rain. Kim and Marianne flew from the tiny airport in Nargana back to Panama City and had just enough time to visit the Panama Canal before their afternoon flight back to the states.
The sleepy little island next to the Nargana airport was interesting to visit. We purchased grapefruit, tomatoes, potatoes, and ice cold drinks. The lifestyle is primitive, with dirt floors and roofs that have to leak, but everyone has a TV and a cell phone! The outhouses are built over the water as shown above.

Our newest pet on board is a gecko. He must have stowed away in our bag when we were on BBQ Island. All boaters boast that they have geckos to eat insects. What shall we name this little guy??? Danielle just decided to call him "Amiga."

Six dolphins decided to race with us near Colon!

We anchored two nights in the East Lemmons and met some new friends for dinner on the island pictured above. Lobster, rice and vegetables for $5.00 a plate.

Quiet sunset in the remote Green Islands

White bulbed lilies grow in abundance on many islands among the coconut trees.

Ricky's new toy - blowing into a large conch shell

Empty sea urchin shells and a brittle star among other shells

Glorious sunset in the "swimming pool"

New Kuna friend Alberto brings us fresh crab and lobster

Ricky asks questions about catching crab and lobster

A different kind of clawless lobster called a red slipper langouste. In colonial times lobster was considered "poverty food." During WWII lobster was considered a delicacy. Here in Panama, we can buy three small lobster for $5.00. Can't beat that!

Spotted eagle stingray

Pelican flying high as storm clouds roll in

Ricky spotted a 6 armed starfish

There are many different species of starfish, most having 5 arms, but some having up to 11 arms. The one Ricky is holding up with 6 arms was injured, the arm divided, and grew 2 in the place of the first one. Starfish have no heart, no brain, and no eyes. Their mouth is on the underside and their anus is on top. They are carnivouous and are able to regerate missing limbs, arms, spines, even intestines. I picked up the group of starfish pictured above to photograph the various colors, and to show the neat geometric patterns they all have. Simply beautiful!

Just another deserted island to explore

Sea grapes

Come visit us in Panama!!!

Sea Ya - Ricky & Robin