Log of the Katie Lee

Coron Market and Molong

2012-02-02T01:21:00.000-08:00

On the way to the market we went by where we are finishing the dinghy so Trinda could see it and meet the wives of the guys.

Molong and family

Three neighbor ladies who giggled and talked in Tagaloga all while we worked. They seemed to enjoy watching us.

There is not a regular grocery store here at all. This the the front of the Tourism Office and a plaza. The public market is in the alley. Trinda didn't really want her picture taken. The market has drygoods, vegetables, and meat (chicken, pork, lots of fish and sometimes beef). Smells like you would expect with no refrigeration with this variety!

Entrance to public market, Coron.

Buying chyote green on left and bananas.

Most of the good veggies seem to be shipped in from Manila. Beans, bokchoy, tomatoes and the like are grown locally.

Dinghy Finished!

2012-02-02T01:04:00.000-08:00

Well there it is, finished, but still sitting on Bobot's back porch. After we finished the green, I read the instructions again on the paint. "Allow a maximum of 48 hours to air dry before use." Oh darn!!! I think that means minimum, but two more days! Oh well. That was yesterday.

Trinda went with me today to screw on the protective plates where the engine mounts. She met the guys' wives and saw a 'squatter village' perched on stilts 50 yards from shore.

The Seuz Green is not quite the dark forest green I thought the spilled one looked like. The Topcoat Yellow is not quite the lemon yellow I thought but the White is white. It has glass beads in the white to make non-skid so we won't slip getting in or out. I think I'll love it even though it doesn't quite match the Katie Lee. No more pumping up the self-deflating inflatable!

Yellow and priner. Right is the 'sidewalk' to town, maybe 50 yards. Molong's house is the first right, behind the little girl and 2 doors down.

Green bottom. notice the sea only a couple feet below. Don't drop anything!

The removabel seat covering the 'dry storage' is in Molong's house across the 'sidewalk'.

Shiny white with the glass beads. Anchor locker up front. Entrance to Bobot's 'boarding rooms' above.

Holes in bow are for the painter, two, so if I am towing it, I can tie 2 ropes so it doesn't get away!

Coron Harbor, Palawan

2012-01-30T01:56:00.000-08:00

Ok, here is looking from the boat, from right to left in Coron Harbor. I started taking these pictures because of the clouds on the mountain. The town of Coron is actually on Busuanga Island instead of Coron Is. There is a fresh water lake up the end of the fjord. We plan to go see it when the dinghy is finished. We are a long way from shore because of the shallow reef from the commercial dock to the market. Then buoys for the dive boats close.

This is one of the premier ship wreck diving locations in the world they say. During WWII, the US did a lot of high surveys and then came in all at once and sunk all the Japanese ships hiding here. We have not even gone snorkeling yet so can't comment on the visibility. By the boat it ain't that good. The water maker pre-filters stop up fairly quickly.

Coron Island behind the catamaran.

Coron Fjord is behind the sharp pointed peaks in the foreground.

Busuanga Island and the main commercial dock at the edge of town.

The town open market and bangka dock.

The rest of town.

More Dinghy Photos

2012-01-28T16:22:00.000-08:00

After this we moved the dinghy to Bobot's back porch to finish the painting. The open shed at Carbon is too accessible to everyone and we got lots of "Gee, that is a nice looking speed boat!" so I thought it might be safer.

Also, the carpentry is all done, so just Mulong is going to help me finish the painting. He doesn't have a boat to get to Carbon so we needed it closer. I will have to pump up the rubber one to get to shore and his house to finish. I hope it will only be 3 more days. one for each coat of paint to dry.

Gluing on the keel.

Bobot, Mulong and Luloy glassing in the last two seats.

First coat of epoxy primer.

Waiting for primer to dry.

A Couple More Days Work

2012-01-24T02:49:00.000-08:00

Next step, add the stern seat and the bow step/flotation box. The hole is the anchor locker. Bobot didn't want to leave all the C-clamps for temptation, and the epoxy was not curing fast enough, so we put bronze screws in the inside handrail.

Luloy adding screws to the inside hand rail.

Today we finished the bow and stern seats and supports. Then the plugged the screw holes and started on the center seat box support.

The self bailer may be a bit large. It is 1 1/2 PVC with a push in plug on the inside. It was a reducer fitting. I am epoxying an eye-bolt for a handle where the smaller part of the reducer would go.If that doesn't work so well, the outboard end is a 1 1/2 pipe thread I could screw in a regular plug.

Got to remember to put on the wheel brackets and lift rings before we seal the stern seat/flotation box!

Then finishing the day we finished the top of the bow.

Really getting to look like a dinghy now.

Trinda made a really nice pork roast for supper. I've been being picked up by Bobot in his bangka every day about 10. The workshop in the photos is only about a quarter mile away, but with not much dinghy, it seems a long way. He brings me back about 5. Long day for me. Good thing Trinda is nice enough to cook while I'm on the way back!

Beggining to look like a dinghy

2012-01-22T02:53:00.000-08:00

One more day. We bogged the corners and made the bow post.

And another day, outside rub rail on and starting the inside rails. Tried to pull all the wire stitches out. Several ot them broke off both ends, so they are permanent! They are steel, but they will be completely encased in epoxy, so maybe they won't rust.

I don't know how these kids can stand up all day and not sweat while they work! Its killing me!

Dinghy

2012-01-16T02:57:00.000-08:00

After Roxas, Pinoy we headed on west to Borocay. It is one of the number 1 tourist destinations in the Philippines. Lots of pretty white sand beaches, etc. Which means two things. One, many many people with vendors trying to get every last shekel from them! And two, white sand is ground up coral rocks, not always so fine and soft.We took our old faithful dinghy ashore to 'enjoy the tourists'. It is still heavy and the beach was steep, so I tried to anchor it just outside the tiny surf. We spent a couple hours at the market and looking around. When we came back, the tide had come in some, the anchor didn't hold and the dinghy was sliding back and forth in the sand at the surf line.The space around the bottom tubes got full of sand and coral gravel. Must have been some sharp pieces. I've had sand there before, but this was worst than any other time, and larger pieces of coral.

The air stays about 2 hours now. And if it sits too long, water leaks back indide the tubes making it really heavy. So a replacement for getting ashore is a must.

They make simple wood boats and paint them with just ordinary with enamel. We thought maybe the temporary solution would be a bangka. One like this could be built for about $100 US. A smallish paddle canoe with outriggers. Trinda couldn't lift her end. They are built very heavy come to find out.

Our feriend Greg, on Shanghai, just made this dinghy in Carmen when we were the last month. I really liked the looks, but we didn't need a new dinghy then.... It is built with a technique called stitch-n-glue. It is relatively easy, strong and light weight. So Greg has been kind enough to send me a copy of the plans.

Ahh, but they do not sell fiberglass or epoxy supplies on this island.
Ok so next idea is to order the fiberglassing supplies from Manila. They can ship them by ferry boat, which are scheduled to come here 3 days a week. They do sell 'marine plywood' here. But at about $13 US for 4x8x 1/4 is pretty cheap plywood, but the best they have.

With 'stitch-n-glue' you layout the drawings of the pieces on the plywood then cut it out.

Next drill little holes in each piece and tie them together with wire.

As you get the round pieces all together, it begins to look like a boat. The next step is the one we are still having trouble with. If I could get the company to actually ship me the epoxy, you make a thick goo like peanut butter and make fillets in all the corners. Later you cover it with thin fiberglass cloth and more epoxy.

The carpenter and his crew. He wanted to do it as a contract instead of an hourly wage. So he is doing something else until the epoxy arrives.

Guy's New Business

2011-12-22T21:29:00.001-08:00

Our son is in a new business. Partner in an heating and air-conditioning business in Bremerton, WA.

They have a web site;

http://www.dcheating.biz/

We hope he does well.

Lions Club Roxas

2011-12-10T16:39:00.001-08:00

We were invited to visit the Roxas Lions Club for the induction of new members and club officers. Really good food (prepared by members) and an interesting evening.

Our friends and past presidents of the local chapter.

The new and past officers.

The guest speaker.

2011-12-08T23:49:00.001-08:00

We left Danao Drydock at high tide around noon. We only went out to Carmen bay and anchored next to Shanghai, Greg. Trinda rested, but I dinghy-ed over to Clas and Naneth's trimaran for happy hour. We discussed anchorages on the way to Palawan. A nice evening.

The next morning at first light we headed north toward Malapascua. There was about 15 knots on the nose, as always, so out with the staysail and motored into it at about 4 knots. By noon it was obvious we wouldn't make the 45 miles to Malapascua, so we headed for Bogo. It has a narrow branching channel into the ferry dock. Thinking there may not be room near the dock, we took a side branch that looked wide enough. Maybe 6 boat lengths in 40 feet of water, then only 2 feet over the coral reef. We anchored in the widest spot and I put out the chain to the first mark.

I had asked the guys to mark the chain with colored zip-ties at 100 feet, 150 and 200. Just before dark a rain squall came with 25 to 30 kts of wind and we dragged over toward the coral. We had the anchor alarm and the depth alarm set so we noticed in time. We managed to re-anchor about where we were before. All seemed OK so we finished supper. About 2 hours later the alarms started going again. This time it was dark, but not raining too hard to see some. We leave the GPS track showing, so we used the previous tracks to find what I thought was further upwind than before and anchored again. About 2 AM another squall came with more wind! It was raining so hard I couldn't see the bow but I could feel the rudder in the mud next to the reef. Again we used the GPS tracks to get back in the middle. I put out a little more chain this time. One of us stayed up all night watching the alarms and the depth. No more wind.

At first light we got out of there! Headed north again into the steady 20 knot wind again. About 3 PM we made it into the lea of Malapascua. Very nice to be out of the wind, rain and waves. The first try at anchoring near the lighthouse,left us 'not' where I thought I was. There is an old Japanese wreck from WW-II in the bay and I was too close to it. As I was pulling in the anchor I mentally measured the chain to the marks. The guys had misunderstood! It was marked at 50 and 100 feet. SO!! That's why we drug so easy in Bogo! I had only put 50 feet of anchor chain in 45 feet water. It barely hit the bottom!

We were really tired from sitting up all night, so we laid around the boat for the rest of the afternoon. Bored, I noticed the depth finder was blinking easily and was showing a speed through the water. Since it is installed 'inside' the hull, it can't measure a speed! I got to looking and found the connector in the extension cable dirty and corroded. I cleaned and water proofed it. Now the depth was 15 feet less at 40 feet! I got the hand held meter out in the dinghy and now it agreed with the built-in one in the boat. Thinking back to Bogo, now I see we had a little less water depth and that explains why we drug slower than the anchor just touching the bottom should have.

Malapascua is a tourist resort island. Mostly foreigners come to go diving and swim on the beaches. The resorts are mostly at the opposite end of the 1.5 mile long island. We took the dinghy ashore and started walking through the little village by the lighthouse. It was obvious that few tourists walk through their village. It was mostly the local resort workers and their families. But they did know how to beg. We headed south to the tourist end. Soon a motorcycle came by and offered a ride. I didn't think we'd both fit and wanted tosee more anyway, so we kept on walking. The main highway is just a trail wide enough for two motorcycles to pass carefully.

By the time we found the main village and bought a few necessities, it was lunch. The store clerk directed us to Ging-Ging. It turned out to be a dive shop and tour place besides a restaurant. All the other lunch clients seemed to be vacationers. Then back tot he little store to ask about vegetables. Trinda was wanting chop suey. I needs cabbage, carrots, onions, choyte and peppers. Since it isw a resort island, the foreigners stay in hotels and eat in cafes. No need to buy food. I took a while to find and by the veggies from the tiny market.

The primary means of transport here are the motorcycles. The seat is modified for as many as 5 to sit on. They decided Trinda and I needed a bike each. It was 50P each back to the village where we left the dinghy, $2.50 US. It only took 5 minutes back at break-neck speed for a cow trail highway! Next day we took the dinghy back to the beach just off the veggies store and got more cabbage etc.

We got a call from April. She got off and wanted us to come to Bantayan to meet her so she could say goodbye. Sounded good so we left early the next morning. It was downwind this time, except there was no wind! Ha! So 6 hours later we are anchored off the ferry dock by Santa Fe, Bantayan. April and Lina, her girlfriend, came on the noon ferry. It is not so much a resort town as a favorite island for foreigners to buy and build houses. April's boyfriend is buying a lot to build a house for them. We met Al and his girl, their friend already living there. They all came out to the boat for a swim, chocolate cake and dinner. It was going to be cornbread and mung beans but it got too late and turned to chop suey and brown rice. Some wine and a few bottles Tanduy Ice (premix rum and citrus flavor) and a very enjoyable evening telling lies.

We rented three motorcycles with drivers for the day for April, Lina and us. We went to the larger village on the other side. To the bank, market and saw an old church the Spanish built in 1580. Because we took bikes instead of a tricycle or bus, it rained plenty on us! The max speed limit seem to be less than 30 so the rain in the face didn't hurt too much.

We took April and Lina swimming to the tiny Virgin Island 3 miles up the coast. Nice swim off a sand beach. Trinda and April complained of something stinging in the water so we got out and started back. She got little blisters in a circle that are still itching. They came back and spent the night aboard. It was a little rolly so April and Lina slept in the cockpit where it was cooler and more comfortable. The visitors and Al all went back to Cebu the next morning.

The tricycles in Santa Fe are different than we have seen before.

Trinda and I caught a jeepney to the village again for more provisions. We were in such a hurry to leave the Drydock that we have very little food. More shopping then a tricycle back. They are different here, smaller and none seem to have a muffler. This was the loudest I have ridden! Almost back ahd he has a flat! We all got off and he pushed it on to a filling station. We got a pedi-cab all the way back to the dinghy, maybe 3 miles. He was tired. Arriving hungry, there was a BBQ chicken parts on a stick.We got 3 and headed for the boat. I sat down and started to eat a breast off the stick. I had noticed the cock-fight arena by the dock and not given it much thought. As I tried to chew the breast meat, I began toi think it was too close to the arena. I might have a looser here. After finishing I realized I must have gotten the winning cock! It was the toughest old bird I have ever tried to eat!

Early the next morning, off to South Gigantes Island. Motor sailing in light wind, it took 8 hours. The only people in the bay were crab fishermen from Bantayan, where we had just left. One came by and gave us 8 small reef fish. Trinda fried them up. First fresh fish in a while. We were afraid to eat them in Drydock because of the pollution all around us there. Afterward, I took a bag of mixed nuts to him. He didn't read or even speak English. One of the other guysw asked to open the bag and showed him what they were. He then shared them all around with the other 5 or 6 boats. We tried to talk some but there was no common language.

I forgot to take pictures in Gigantes. Oops.

We made water and charged the batteries and rested the next day. Then off to the port of Roxas on Panay Island, the state of Capiz.

Here we sit in a rolly anchorage inthe rain. Met people and staying a few days.

Started Cruising Again

2011-11-24T14:46:00.001-08:00

We left Carmen and Drydock yesterday morning.

The wind is right on the nose for the first leg. We thought we could make the 45 miles to Malapascua Island. By noon it was obvious that we wouldn't make it before dark so we tried the main channel at Bogo still on Cebu island.

We motor sail into the channel and took a small side channel just a little ways. It looked 1/4 mile wide and enough swing room. The bottom turned out to be sand and mud. But the holding was POOR! We drug the anchor 3 times. Once while setting the first time, then during the middle of supper a big squall came up. Lots of rain and wind to maybe 30. It was still light, but couldn't see much for the rain. We managed to move back to where we were at first by guess and watching the GPS/depth finder.

Then again about 12:30 the wind came up again. The low water on the depth alarmed and we jumped to action again. Could see NOTHING this time, so guessed again and got back to about the same place. It held the rest of the night. Trinda sat up and made sure.

Off again this morning hoping that last 16 miles of the first leg go OK. At Malapascua the route turns westerly and should be downwind and we can sail.

Camotes Trip Summary

2011-11-18T05:50:00.001-08:00

I posted the photos I took on Facebook. Meredith posted hers too and I shared them too. I think April will upload her photos too. I will share them through Facebook too. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2627567205420.148686.1142497870&type=3

So here is the summary that should have accompanied the pictures.

We moved the Katie Lee out of Pepe's yard about 1:30 Friday cause the tide has been really low during the day lately. As it was, even at high tide, we caught one of the lines in the prop. The boys had to dive under and untangle it. The lines hold each boat in its place next to the ramps.

We spent the evening cooking, cleaning and getting ready. About 7 AM I started ferrying the guy out. and we left by 8. Only a slight breeze on the nose (as always!) so we motored across to the islands. The new GPS says 17.5 miles overand motoring only 5 knots took all morning. A half hour of hunting an anchorage that I thought I knew where was found us over a quarter mile off the beach.

As soon as the boat was secure, the guys started questioning the local fishermen about a fish. I had a little trouble following. Soon they wanted to take the dinghy. Off they went and followed a fisherman to the beach up a ways.Edith, April and Trinda, having just sorta recovered from the "sea passage", began cooking rice and lumpia (a pork spring roll). The guys came back and said they had arranged a grilled fish and we should eat it on the beach so the girls could enjoy the solid ground under their feet at least while they ate. It seemed to take forever, but we got everyone on the grassy ares just up the beach.

Part of the reason it took so long was the dinghy. It has been mostly idle for these 6 months. It hasd gotten water in the fuel a few times so I had cleaned and re-caulked the fittings on the tank. It is still hard to start. A couple of the boys were trying to bring the dinghy back and gave up starting it. They rowed the quarter mile back out to us. They took turns counting out 100 strokes each before switching places and doing it again. Turns out the "new in Majuro" safety kill switch had failed and basically turned the motor off! I opened the top and disconnected a wire. Closed it up and it started on the second pull. They wished they knew how to do that!

A few beers and Tanduay Ice and the fish arrived and disappeared before anyone got out a camera. Thus the photos of the bones. And a few creative photos as well. The fish turned out to be Trinda and my favorite, darado or mahi-mahi. It was cooked perfectly and was so good that we unanimously voted to go negotiate the other half for a late night snack. That took until dark and low tide, so the trip back out to the boat was slow over a very shallow reef.

The wind came up during the night and made the anchorage a little rolly. April, Edith and son Merjohn in the V-birth had a little trouble sleeping. But the boys were fine. They had tried gallantly to finish the beer that Jimmy and Trinda had acquired for the trip. Rumor was one was "pole dancing" on the staysail around 2AM.

We moved the boat around to the NW point of the island where there is a tiny off-shore island for protection from the waves. Again the guys took off in the dinghy to explore some. We got the dive-board out and when the got back most of us took a turn diving behind the dinghy. As usual it was enjoyed.

Trinda got out some balloons for Merjohn. Naturally soon one was floating toward the main shore where several islander kids raced after it. The guys got into the swing of that quickly enough. soon most of the balloons were gone and the kids on shore had one each. Several swm out toeward the boat to get one. Some even got tehir father to come in hei canoe to get one ahead of the others.

Later I found that the guys had put a few pesos in some of the balloons for the kids. They really are a pretty good bunch of boys.

We had to leave by 1 PM to get back to Carmen and DryDock before dark. We let loose the mooring ball and headed home. A nice breeze was still blowing, on the beam this time. So up with the sails and off with the motor! We sailed at 6 to 6.5 knots all the way back. So they did all get to see the sails up and experience the smoother ride of sailing vs motoring.

I think we all had a good time.

Tomorrow The Internet Will Begin to Die

2011-11-17T05:39:00.001-08:00

Check this site and sign the petition:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_internet_d/

Send letters to your congressmen at this link
https://wfc2.wiredforchange.com/o/9042/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8173
Ill conceived legislation is dangerous to us all.

Closer and Closer

2011-11-09T05:57:00.000-08:00

Not finished yet! I first set the month I'd be finished, then the week and now the day. I have missed each by more than the unit of measure. At HP we used to say "if they said fall, expect it spring. If Aug, then Sep, and 3 weeks meant at least 4.

I told everyone we were going to the Comotes Thurs, but now it looks more like Saturday. 3 of the 4 sails on, but the mizzen needs a special shackle that I don't have. Genoa to go up in the morning.

Looking from the 'gang plank', its looking white!

Trinda having a hard time getting off before I took her picture!

The deck is painted, the teak trim is polyurethane varnished and the topsides are waxed. Only one storage closet left to stow aboard and ready! Of course all my tools are mixed with 'their' tools so we'll have a tool sorting party tomorrow too. Still a few brass things below not re-installed and lots of Trinda's nets to keep things in their closets while sailing, but they will keep!

I noticed Trinda's treasure chest was not as shiny as the rest of the teak and asked. No they didn't spray the ultraviolet protective coat on it. Didn't realize it stayed outside. So while they painted some coats on it after quitting time, they installed the last outside fixture in between coats.

Lyndon, Don-don, Rico, Louie and Mike with a last minute fix. Off with the ninja masks in time for the second photo!

Backwards and T-shirts

2011-11-06T03:01:00.000-08:00

I usually write a note here then Facebook picks it up. Today I uploaded the pictures to facebook first.

So I'm all backwards today.

Servers me right I guess. We installed the new(ish) wind generator on the new bracket on the mizzen mast. I decided it was too flimsy and took it back down. Not sure how long it will take to replace it. Or even if I'll replace it yet. There is a severe shortage of welders here capable of aluminum.

I have needed lots of rags with all the cleaning and painting. At the paint store, they sometimes have rags, but they are generally not good for painting. Mostly tiny scraps of 100% polyester sewed into a pot lifter shape. So I bought cheap T-shirts at the used clothing shops. Trouble was the 25 cent shirts were preferable to what the guys were working in, so I'd buy 10 and get to use 5. This happened some. So Trinda noticed a sale on new T-shirts at the local dept store and bought them all one to take home.

Lyndon, Chris, Mike, Louie, April, Rico, Me, Don-don and Rene

You can zoom the picture to read most of them.

Deck Paint and Non-Skid

2011-10-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

We are getting closer every day. This week we painted the deck. First sprayed all the areas without a non-skid coating for 3 coats. Then masked it off and rolled on a coat in the non-skid areas. Next rolled and sprinkled grit in the wet paint. And last (almost) rolled a last coat over the grit.

There was a little confusion and a final spray finish on the parts that needed it.

Ready for the non-skid

Rico and Louie doing the really agressive non-skid around the main mast.

Its beginning to look white!

More grit in the paint.

Louie and some Ninjas.

Rico and a couple more Ninjas.

This Ninja mask, hahaha is a T-shirt over the head, looking out the neck hole and sleeves tied behind. The whole idea is to keep sun, dirt and paint off the head. It does make it hard to recognize Lyndon, Don-don and Randy though. They are a little more camera shy than Louie and Rico, who jerk their Ninja costume off when they see the camera! Ha!

Trinda is making chocolate chip cookies today. We are planning to make pizza this afternoon too. Meredith, our neighbor from the apartment may come to visit this afternoon too.

Home Improvement

2011-10-20T06:36:00.000-07:00

My cousin Gary and a friend are swinging tools near Reno in a new venture,
Reno Home Improvement LLCAnd I am shamelessly offering a plug! The are also developing a website with photos of their work at http://www.renohomeimprovementsllc.com/Gary comes from a very gifted family line, with words, tools, metals and yarns of all the definitions I know.If you live in the Reno, Nevada area, check out the work of Reno Home Improvement LLC or call them at 775-224-9192.

Another Short Story

2011-10-10T05:57:00.000-07:00

The boat is actually about 7 kilometers from Carmen and 9 from Danao. There are a few hardware stores there where some paint, wood, nails, sandpaper, paint thinner, masking tape, etc can be had. Any real supplies come from Cebu city an hour's bus ride away. Actually there are 4 hardware stores within 2 blocks just off the terminal square. Like Portales, except instead of a court house, it is the terminal for the buses, tricycles and pedicabs all in lines for each direction and destination.

No one hardware store seems allowed to have in-stock all of the requirements on any given day. In fact, lots of days come up short all together! I was after 240 and 400 grit sandpaper ("Only buy Nikken brand", the boys said) and on the previous trip 3 days before I had bought the last of the 240 in Danao. They were still out!

This means I usually walk the 1/2 mile out to the hi-way, wait for a tricycle (small Honda motorcycle with sidecar) 5 to 10 minutes then the 15 minute ride to town. They slow down by every pedestrian begging for passengers on the way. They usually take me to the terminal. I then walk the square back to the hardware store that I think has the best chance of supplying the days wants.

On one corner, just off the square, between two of the hardwares is a small motor rewinding shop. An older gentleman (older than me a few years anyway) usually sits or is standing in front. I always smile and wave or say "Maayung boontag" or "Good morning" as I go by. As one human being acknowledges the existence of another.

A while back he insisted I stop a minute and talk. Rudy, he is, was impressed that I always am rushing back an forth, in a hurry, but can find the time to say "Hi". He's a very personable guy with surprisingly good English. And so I rush on again after the brief introduction and visit.

A couple weeks ago the wet-dry vacuum dies again. This time the motor needs a new bushing. A friend had given me his old vacuum cause it had suffered an inept re-winder who broke the commutator. Ahh, an opportunity to patronize Rudy's family shop. So off to Danao again. I wander over to Rudy's, show him the broken motor and ask if he can get it repaired. "No I cannot. But I have a friend that is better than I am." and he not only gave me directions to his friends house, but he wrote an letter of introduction! I was shocked! But then again, I wasn't really. This was Rudy who singled me out because I seemed to respect an old man. Well I dropped off the motor and we'll see if his friend can get the part.

A few days later as I go by looking for tape this time I think it was. Rudy pops up, the usual greeting and I tell him about the motor. He insists I sit a minute, he has something. He comes back a minute later with a sketch pad and a pencil. Says he's going to sketch me. Ugly as I am, he proceeds with the below. I am pleased but I can't think what to do. With a friendship growing, I couldn't cheapen it with an offer of money for the sketch, so I just said "Thank you very much, kind Sir" and had to get on with the shopping. I stopped and picked up a few charcoal pencils and a new sketch pad, but that wasn't nearly enough so I took them home and thought about it a while. Then I noticed he signed his full name on the sketch. It was an easy name to do in wire, so I set to writing his name in stainless steel wire.

I hadn't needed anything from the hardware for several days, but today I got a ride in with a friend who has a car. I said I had an unusual stop but he could come along if he wanted. I presented Rudy with the wire, "Rudy C. Cal" and he was speechless. Says no one has ever given him a personalized hand crafted gift before. I thought he was going to cry for a minute there. Rich went on to the hardware store for his stuff and was back in a few minutes. Rudy was still so excited. He sat Rich down and did his sketch too. Then he recited a poem/love letter he had written for a writing contest. It was null and unusual, but no way can I remember it for this.

He finished the dedication on Rich's sketch then we said adieu and finished our shopping.


"Larry" by Rudy C. Cal

This is kinda like, "Remember to stop and smell the flowers along the way."

2011-09-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

Moved back aboard! Finally!

But not really in. Most of the 'stuff' is still in the 2 store rooms on shore just in front of the boat. We moved most of the stuff from the apartment directly into the boat, food, clothing, bedding, cushions, etc. All the boat gear is still in the store rooms.

I didn't intend to polish the brass (door hinges, locks, knobs, coat hooks and light fixtures). But, like the big brass toilet, I go t ribbed and bullied into cleaning most of it up, "You aren't going to put that nasty thing back in the shiny boat like that, ARE you?". And I don't intend to polish it each week from now on either. Maybe it'll go green gracefully again!

Looking forward from hall

Looking forward from companion way stairs

Looking aft at saloon and galley

The new table is hard to see already!

There is still a lot to do. We are getting the deck ready to re-paint white. And put the non-skid on. It will be tiny glass beads like the walk-around we did in Hawaii. Only a few weeks and we can get out of the marina/work yard and do some cruising. I can't wait to relax!

Trinda lost her wallet for a few days. Just long enough to cancel all the bank cards. So we'll be hanging near the post office a few weeks anyway. She spent the day shopping in Cebu with a friend. They stayed too late so she was really tired. When she got off the bus, she hired a tricycle to bring her the last 1/2 mile into the DryDock. She got a coin purse out of the wallet to pay and forgot all about the wallet. It must have fallen in the floor of the tricycle.

When she noticed (30 minutes later) that it was gone, we searched back to the highway. Not there. A bunch of local guys we had waved to often saw us and offered to take us to town to try to find the tricycle she rode in. I couldn't believe it, but we found the guy asleep in it in the terminal. He searched the seats but no wallet. I bought gas for our friends and we came back to the boat.

Yesterday, the guy that took us to town, came to the boat WITH her wallet! Unbelievable! And it had all her cards (now canceled) including drivers license and local CostCo-like card. She only haqd about 40 pesos (1 buck) so that was no loss, but she also had two rings, her mother ring and her aniversary ring. The mother ring is gone, but they missed the other one. Some of the folks here are so nice to us!

Moved Back to the Boat!

2011-09-24T03:55:00.000-07:00

So busy moving that I forgot to take any pictures, but we ARE BACK ABOARD!!!

Nothing is unpacked, everything is in the workers way, but we are out of the apartment.

Pansit and Linat-an Dinner

2011-09-19T02:58:00.000-07:00

This afternoon our neighbor in the apartment, Meredith, came over to help Trinda fix dinner and teach us to make a couple of dishes. Pansit Bihon in the wok and Linat-an (pork stew) in the pot.
They were both delicious!

The ingredients seem a little unusual. The pansit has Golden Bihon noodles (rice I think) but that's last. First saute onion and a few fresh garlic cloves in a little oil. Add finely chopped pork and stir-fry. Add water for the noodles(4 cups this time), but not the noodles yet. Add seasoning(salt, black pepper, soya sauce and Magic Sarap). Magic Sarap is half bullion and half MSG I think. Now boil until the meat is tender. Add vegetables (carrots, snap beans and English cabbage. Now add the noodles! Boil a minute or two, turn the noodles and boil for another couple minutes till soft. Stir in gently a dozen fresh hard boiled quail eggs!

The Linat-an, boil pork (looked like short ribs) until tender with whole pepper corns, Maggi Man Sabaw (pork flavoring with MSG), garlic and onion and a little salt. Normally would have put a little fresh ginger but we are out. Add vegetables, potatoes then a little later chayote, red bell pepper and napa cabbage and boil a few more minutes till just tender. Add a little soya sauce. I'm sure there was more because it didn't taste like any "boiled pork" I've ever had before coming to the Philippines.

They would have served it with rice and fed 3 times as many people, but I'm fat already.

Jimmy's Tricycle

2011-09-08T04:12:00.001-07:00

I have mentioned tricycles before. They are the primary means of local transportation for most folks. If a family has money then they buy a motorcycle, more money, a personal tricycle, and then a car of some kind, most often a multi-cab. They are tiny minivans or pickups. The rest walk or pay to ride these. I pay 8 pesos (19 cents) from the apartment to Drydock(2 miles) where the boat is and 10 pesos(25 cents) from there to Danao (3 miles), where the hardware stores are. Otherwise it is a bus for $1 each way to Cebu(20 miles) to the real hardware stores.

A tricycle is a motorcycle with a side car. Most are Honda 155 because that is the largest Honda that is imported to the Philippines. Trinda had a 'discussion' with a neighbor cause she thought Honda didn't make larger, but Trinda said we used to have a 250.

Anyway here is a street full of them. They seem to be mostly the same style in each city area. This is Bogo on the north tip of Cebu island and here they are like a mini 2 seat stagecoach. And they usually put 4 adults plus toddlers inside and 2 or 3 more plus the driver on the bike.

Around Carmen and down to Cebu they are more like a one seat buggy with 2 stools that fold down inside the front for 2 more. So 8 total again.

Jimmy is having a custom tricycle built at a welding shop in Bogo that specializes in tricycles. He will probably be the first foriegner here to own one. Almost all of them (us) buy cars or import big bikes.

These photos are here just to show the quality of this guy's work. Most of the tricycles around Carmen were not ever pretty or stylish, just functional. But these have very nice paint jobs and quality looking workmanship.

A front view of Jimmy's. It is big, open and the driver gets a windshield too. In Carmen they carry a sheet of plastic and tie it up where they can barely see over it in the rain.

Again from the back, open wide and long. It will have wooden slats for the floor and padded cushion seats.

The roof will cover the entire rig instead of 2 separate roofs. Where the hand is will be padded seat at a matching height with the motorcycle. The reasoning for Jimmy to get one is cars cost more, lots of ways, insurance, gas, oil, parking, etc. But he needs to cary boat and building supplies from the near stores. So the floor is long and flat enough to carry a stack of 2x4s or such. It should seat his whole extended family (more than 8) or a couple of couples for an outing.

Dinner and Varnish

2011-09-08T03:35:00.000-07:00

We went to dinner at one of the very few local restaurants with friends. This one is known as "The German Place" even though its name on the sign out front is clearly "RuMi Pic Nic" for Ruth and her German husband, Mike".

Anyway the food is always really good and of a variety of ethnics. I usually have "Hunter Strussel", Trinda orders "Chicken Cordon Blu" and we share a "Chop Sui" just cause it has lots of vegetables.

This is James, s/v Fandango and friend Mildred. She used to be the waitress in the cafe in Zeke's marina. There is a long story, but I won't put it in print. He had hopped to discourage her affection, but failed...???

April is a boat girl and girlfriend of the owner of the boat next to Jimmy's s/v Mango. Trinda and she go shopping often together. Next is Jimmy's niece Chiree and Jimmy himself.
We had a very nice dinner and BS session.

There are two covered work sheds in Pepe's area. Both are now littered and hung with wood from our boat! These are mostly doors.

And these are hatches, sliding cabinet doors etc.

It is getting shinny down below. The varnish we chose in Majuro was semi-gloss. All that is available here is high gloss. It will be pretty, and we can always add a coat of semi-gloss over it later if we can't get used to it.

News and Update

2011-08-26T04:39:00.000-07:00

First the news: Trinda and I are officially 'OLD"!!! We signed up for Social Security and received our first check. The money will sure help, but it does feel OLD!!

Again, here is a shot of the family that run the little "eatery" across the highway from DryDock.

The first coat of varnish on the floors. I tried to get pictures of just the walls being finished, but they never looked like much. BUT this does!!! I was beginning to think I'd never see this day. This does feel like progress.

Of course there are still 2 more coats of sanding sealer and 3 of topcoat to go, but it looks varnished now.

Woodden Indian

2011-08-23T04:53:00.000-07:00

Jimmy, of s/v Mango, is building a guest house in his back yard here in Danao/Carmen. He was in town, saw these and couldn't resist! They will look real nice on the veranda! That's the guest house in the background, but you can't see it for us. hehehe.Of course I had to join in!

Pepe's Birthday

2011-08-22T03:58:00.000-07:00

Trinda LOVES having her picture taken!

Pepe carrying the cake Trinda and April brought from "Goldilocks".

The "Three Musketeers", Louie, Rico and Mike.

Me, Don-Don, Linden, and Louie eating.

Mylene acting like the guys like her.
Temy is Pep's younger brother, and Pepe in his new hat.

The guys .....

Don-Don

Sunday

2011-08-21T02:48:00.000-07:00

The guys had asked if they could work Sundays so they would have a better chance of finishing in time to earn the trip. Well most of us worked Sunday... The oldest (he's been sick several days this week already) and the youngest( something about a new girlfriend) didn't make it, so there were just 4. We did make some progress though. I think we'll be able to move back aboard Friday. It is the day the rent will be due if we don't move out. The floor may be needing one or two more coats, but Trinda decided she could just get up early and go visit someone while they work.

The inside will be very close to finished with the painting and fixing work. Not counting reinstalling everything. There are no drawers, doors, cabinet doors, towel racks, light fixtures, instruments, etc. mounted anywhere. I have half of the new LED lights up, but not even all of them. The toilet is even sitting in the store room waiting for me to finish putting in new gaskets.

Trinda has gotten acquainted with a couple more of the Filipino boat girls. They went to the resort together, where they seem to have had a great time. Also have gone shopping to several 'new for Trinda' grocery stores. They are also trying to teach her to cook the local food. I like it fine. Tonight we had BBQ pork, but fried instead of grilled as no grill in the apart. It is usually on a bamboo stick and charcoaled. Also left over chop suie from yesterday's lesson.

She is teaching them some of our dishes and also how to crochet. One she has hired to do the laundry and help clen the house. Minimum wage is P250/day which is just less than $5. Trinda would NEVER have a maid, but it seems no problem to pay a friend to help her for the day!

This country , as most of the world, is 240 Volts in the wall plugs instead of the 110 volts we are used to in the states. I brought the computer/DVD player system to the apart. I have a cheep step-down transformer to 110v but it seems a little strange. Every time you touch anything you get this little tingle! Lots of the movies don't seem to play right. I hope that when we get back aboard all will be well again. When our 110v things break here, there is NO replacement for them. It is not possible to buy it, only 240v stuff. Our vacuum cleaner, really a shop vac, is wearing out. It cost about $45 in Home Depot, but is $250 here! And then it would be 240v! Of course a shop vac is too big to sneak in past Customs and their high import duty.

Putting the mast up.

Here is the main mast before we put it back on. We used the crane on the ship in the background.

High-tech moving company in action! My six guys and Jimmy's six made light work of moving the two masts the 100 yards out to the street and back in the slipways where the crane is.

Linden, Louie and Temy pose in front of the ship just after we (they) carried the second mast over. I realized I had my camera in my pocket. I'm sorry I missed the other guys on the crew.

Here the masts are back up, we are back in the slip in Pepe's boatyard just in time for the rain.

Since the boat is looking good again, I asked them to help the rain get some of the accumulated grime off the deck. These "anonymous" gentlemen had almost too much fun in the rain. They did a nice job scrubbing the deck in the downpour.

Masts Back Up Trinda Back

2011-08-17T06:49:00.001-07:00

Today we put the masts back on the boat! Finally! I was beginning to wonder if we'd ever get them back.

Of course I forgot to take the camera out of my pocket even though I recharged the battery last night. Maybe one blurry picture.

Laast week Trinda and a couple local girls from the marina went to a vacation resort, Santa Fe, a bus and ferry rida away, an hour each. they had a good time for 3 days.

Yesterday was the local fiesta day for the neighborhood close to the drydock. Jimmy and Charito invited us to their place for roasted pig (whole pig on a stick). Great food, beer and Trinda has discovered Tandauy Ice, a rum and citrus bottled drink. A great time was had by all.

Last week I told the gus working on the boat" If you get finished by Sept 1, I take you all to the Camotoes Islands for the night." They are 15 miles away, but no one on the crew has ever been there. They have been working extra hard and even asked if I'd let them work Sundays (for pay though). I'll probably take them anyway. They are mostly good kids (one is 50, 2 32, the rest 20 to 23).

The walls and ceiling are finished except for touch-up. Nothing is re-installed, no lights, doors, hooks or fittings of any kind.That will be a challenge!

First Varnish

2011-07-28T00:31:00.000-07:00

Before and after the first coat of varnish in the main part of the boat. I feel like this is PROGRESS! Finally!

Trinda's Birthday

2011-07-26T06:05:00.000-07:00

The wives and boat girls got together and did the shopping and cooking for a feast for Trinda's birthday.

About 30 folks came for the free food. There were beverages available too. I invited all the workers to stay for supper too.

White Paint

2011-07-25T15:36:00.000-07:00

A few days ago they finished the white paint. Now have just finished masking it off to start spraying the varnish.

Boat Progress

2011-07-18T02:20:00.001-07:00

I usually have lunch here with Evo and Boy. I'm probably their best customer, cause I eat more than the kids from the mango plant. An Average lunch is 2 small pork chops in some sauce that I pour over the rice, pancit (stir-fried glass noodles with a few odd vegetables and pork fat), long Japanese green beans, something called chop-chop which is stir-fried veggies in a thick brown sauce ( eggplant, carrot, cabbage, zucchini, bitter-melon, squash, onion, ginger and some I don't recognize).

The mounts for the LED recessed ceiling light fixtures finished.

The aft cabin is shinny and white.

Rico on the front deck re-installing the hardware. Its high tide so it looks high and full.

Louie finish sanding and masking the settee just before painting the white. It has three coats of white epoxy primer as of this afternoon.

Obviously we are NOT moving back to the boat next week, so we paid for Aug rent and bought a table an a stool. Now we have that and one chair for furniture! Oh and another fan. It has been HOT here.

Some New Windows In

2011-06-30T03:15:00.000-07:00

We got the new safety glass cut to size and I finally found the super caulking for them. This is "SikaFlex 255 Extra" also known as "Automobile Windshield Adhesive". It wasn't expensive, just hard to find for sale. I had to argue with the local Toyota Paint & Body shop to get them to tell me their supplier.

So these are the starboard windows in , but not yet cleaned up and painted.

These are the port windows with the epoxy filler and wood reseal, reshaped ready for the new windows. No more leaks! Or else!
Of course I bought one less tube of the magic stuff than we need, so off to town in the morning to get one more. And other stuff, it never seems to end.

Louie has just finished the top coat on the whit and masked the teak getting ready to spray the varnish on.

An update on Trinda, its not ALL about the boat... Well anyway she had a mosquitoe bite that wasn't healing. She kept scratching it and it started bleeding a lot. Finally it got Big, larger than a pencil eraser. She went to the local doc and found out it was an infected mole and he cut it out. A little scary but she seems OK. Antibiotics and pain killers for a week or so. Back to change dressing tomorrow evening and the stitches out next week. He cut out more than a marble size chunk.

Update

2011-06-18T04:25:00.000-07:00

I was thinking of an update, but then I have no new photos. But I guess I could just type. Ha ha!
So, things are going along. Maybe I was a little premature in giving a months notice to the apartment. Oops! I don't think we'll be ready to move back next Sunday like planned. There is no new varnish inside yet. And no white paint except inside the lockers. All the windows are out, waiting to pickup new glass next Saturday.

I almost finished plumbing the fuel tanks today. I've had a 3-way valve for them in the parts bench for maybe 6 years. About time! The new battery box has the paint drying and will be in Monday.

Finally they started stripping the varnish in the back bedroom. Trinda's requirement was "no paint fumes in the bedroom or I'm not moving back yet". But I don't think they qare moving fast enough.

Didi, a Swiss guy, bought a 'project boat' next to us. He needs a crane to lift it out and onto stands so he can re-work the bottom (and more). I plan to share his crane to put the masts back. That may be scheduled next week, which would also interrupt us for a day also. I will have to see about extending the apartment or find another place to camp-out a couple weeks! (good thing Trinda doesn't read the blog!)

Trinda is off on an all-day bus trip with her friend Lisa today. Her mother live about 50 miles south of here, two one hour bus rides each way. Her mother is keeping two of her daughters to attend school there. They went to see about buying the school uniform. The school year in the Philippines runs from June to March.

Also the replacement debit and credit cards came finally. I'm back in the money, except, Ohh, no money in the bank to need a debit card for!! Feeling broke, though only $16000 for almost 3 months of 5 -7 guys and lots of epoxy and paint. I keep hoping we're nearly done!

The Guys

2011-06-09T02:36:00.001-07:00

This is Michael laminating some 'nara' wood strips for the mounting plates for the new LED light fixtures. It comes in a lighter color and a reder color but the grain is not very pronounced. So I suggested we alternate the strips, light and red to give a little more interest to the desk tops and maybe we'll match the light fixtures.

This is the first test run at the mount.

Louie has been doing lots of painting. 2 coats of epoxy primer then a topcoat of linear polyurethane, all brilliant white. These are the boards under the aft birth.

Rico is sanding and varnishing the teak that has been removed from the boat. Here he is putting sanding sealer on the nara laminate for the desk up by the V-birth.

Temy is the carpenter. After fitting all the new homemade gelcoat/fiberglass ceiling panels, he is putting teak quarter-rounds around the edges to hold them up. We will have to take them back down to install the new light wiring and finish painting the white interior. He is sitting in the V-birth. The white is finished here but the teak is not re-varnished yet.

The Galley. The old marble top and sink are ready to go back, but I am trying to re-plumb the fresh water system before gluing the top over to make it harder to reach.

The old settee fuel tank is cleaned and painted with zinc-chromate primer/rust preventative but not screwed down yet. We had to take out the battery box, so a new one will be shaped for easier access to the remaining storage here.

Dry Dock, Danao

2011-06-06T15:14:00.000-07:00

This is Trinda's friend Lisa house, far left. Her inlaws were fishermen when the boat still floated. Now they mostly do boat work for other locals who come to the area to repaint the bottom and such.Her mother-in-law lives in the center one.
This is the view from Zeke's restaurant in the other boatyard. Our boat is in Pepe's yard at the far end. You can almost see our dinghy tied to the back of the boat in front of the last boat to the right.

Some days it is a bit tough getting up the ramp to the boat. I told the kids it had rained too much and the ocean was about to run over! Also note that with everything out of the boat to paint and work, we can see where the water line was supposed to be!

Yes, the ramps are split bamboo over bamboo poles.
Things are going OK. I gave notice to the apartment, June 26 we move back to the boat.....or something??

I hope it is livable by then. All the rot is replaced and has at least one coat of paint. Lots has the 2 epoxy primers and the linear polyurethane topcoat. Some has the new varnish, but not much. The last major effort is to take out the ports and windows and re-seal the deck around them and put them back.

2011-05-13T16:13:00.000-07:00

The finished tank.

Going in th e gull-wing hatch. It is too big for the main companion way.

In place in the floor.

Tank Getting Close

2011-04-27T23:27:00.000-07:00

Here is a shot of the finished bottom of the tank. the sun was wrong for the top. It should be ready to glue on top this afternoon. The inspection ports are glassed in.
The deck is almost ready for the primer. Notice the bamboo posts. It is scrap wood here. It is laying all around.

The shower walls are also ready for the primer. The drain pan didn't drain well, so today they made a false bottom that angles over to the drain pipe.

The aft cabin celing, like the rest looks a little shabby with out the covering. I am looking at making gel-coat fiberglass sheets to snap in.
Looking starboard in the galley floor. Looks like a long ways to go.

Laptop Photos

2011-04-25T01:26:00.001-07:00

Since I lost the camera I've had no photos. I used the laptops webcam to catch the layup of the new fuel tank. It is 6 layers of cut mat fiberglass with polyester resin.

The center divider is a partition to make it two tanks. The others are just baffles.
I had them make depressions in the bottom of each tank to trap water etc. The tank pickups will be right in the center if these 'sumps' so any water immediately winds up in the water separator filter. Also, you can almost see the area for the wiring channel just above the center partition.

The baffles have holes large enough to clean the tank through.

The wood will all be removed before finishing and putting the top on.

New Tank

2011-04-21T21:49:00.000-07:00

The new diesel tank is coming along. The bottom was laid-up Wed and seems to be curing OK.

This being Easter week, things are slow, what with Holy Thursday, Good Friday, (special) Saturday, and Easter Sunday. There may even be a Hangover Monday this week, who knows! Needless to say there's no more progress.

The power went off in the apartment yesterday about noon, (no fan and a hot day) so Trinda decided we should take the bus down to Cebu and catch a show in an air-conditioned theater. We arrived an hour later at a closed gate. The mall is closed for Easter. The power was back on by the time we got back, two one hour plus bus rides.

Did I mention that the average Philippino is a much smaller person than I or Trinda? The bus has 3 seats on one side and 2 on the other like small planes, BUT the bus is only as wide as the average 9passenger van! So 2 1/2 hours with only one cheek on the seat and my knees shoved into the seatback in front of me is a great way to spend a day.

No Pictures

2011-04-17T15:51:00.000-07:00

Well it may be boring here for a while... I lost my camera. It seems to have fallen out of my pocket on a bus ride to Cebu. There are others here for sale, but I haven't found the "right one" yet.

We joined the local affiliate of CostCo. They let Trinda use my card twice then insisted she have her own. Only $10 US more...

The deck is almost finished with the rebuild and fiberglassing where the teak was and under the mast steps.

Repaired the wall in the shower that was rotten and almost finished glassing the walls so it can't happen again.

We plan to start making the fiberglass fuel tank this week.

Removing the Old Fuel Tank

2011-04-06T17:50:00.000-07:00

It might be better to start at the bottom, as the photos loaded in the wrong order.

The galley side of the floor without the tank.

Trinda found a carrot in the market in Cebu. She did find more reasonable sized ones to buy. We went to town on Sunday just to get away and watched a movie at the theater. Bad movie! The popcorn had no salt too. It was an hour to Cebu, 20 miles away, in a bus with poor seats for $1 each. Then a 9 passenger van with 12 seats, but 22 people on the way back. They charged us double,$1.30 each, because we took up room for 4 short brown people!

Carrying the old tank to the beach/dock.

Preparing to lift the tank out the hatch in the roof. We had to take out part of the hatch so it would fit.
The closet side of the galley floor with the tank still there.

The closet taken out but the floor still there. Our shop vac is 110 volt so we either use my batteries and inverter or a step-down transformer.

The galley side with the cook stove out and the shelf under it torn out. There was lots of rotten and oil soaked wood that we'll replace in the process.

The tearing up went really fast. The rough finish restoring is going fast too. I have heard that as the work needs more precision it really slows down! Here's hoping its not too slow.

Boat work started

2011-03-31T18:38:00.000-07:00

Starting the boat work in the yard.

Taking the masts off became a big deal when the crane wasn't tall enough to reach the 60' to the top. That's Jimmy tying the rope. Me on deck.

We cut open the deck and raised it like a car hood. Found lots of little square blocks wet and rotting. New wood and lots of epoxy will fix it.

More Rides

2011-03-23T01:34:00.000-07:00

We went back to Danao with Denny. We wandered around some so ...
We took tricycle to town, then maybe hubba-hubbas (a motorcycle with a seat long enough for three) across town and finally pedicabs back to a restaurant.

I had the camera so I didn't get in the photos.

Philippine Tricycles and Pedicarts

2011-03-19T16:23:00.000-07:00

A tricycle on the left and a pedicab on the right. Either a bicycle or motorcycle with a side car.

There are no taxis in Port Carmen. We took a tricycle to the next village, Danao, just to see it.

The taxi cost about $1US to get in then it has a meter. About 5 miles for $3. The tricycle was PP8 (8 pesos) each or about .20

Arrived Port Carmen

2011-03-17T05:18:00.001-07:00

We arrived in Port Carmen about 11:00AM. Looked at the work yard and all. Looks like we can have a full crew working on the boat for about $6/day each. Even craftsmen, not just laborers.

We have several projects that need doing, The fuel tank seems to have rusted a hole in the bottom. The catch is it is under the floor in the galley. That means cut out the galley, sink stove and floor. Then figure out how to get the bad tank out and put in a new one. It could be made from mild steel, stainless or fiberglass/epoxy. I have no idea yet!!!,
Next the deck seems to be getting soft under the mast steps. ASo take off the masts, cut open the fiberglass deck and see what's wrong then fix it.

Last Trinda wants to finish removing the teak decks and fiberglass over it all. Plus painting it.

All that does not include the finish re-varnishing the interior and varnishing the wood outside.

I guess its only money, but this maybe the cheapest place around to do it. Most of the work is only labor!

10 Days in a Marina

2011-03-15T16:06:00.000-07:00

We checked into the Cebu Yacht Club for their 10 day special, $100 for the first 10 days in the country, then $125 for the next 7 days then $65 per day after that.

We have had guys working on the boat the whole 10 days at $12/day seemed too good to be true. Even got the bottom scrubbed for $15 and it was really bad. We have sanded the bulwarks and toe rail to be varnished (Cetol, Trinda says) and the remaining doors stripped so we can sand and re-varnish them. Also the stainless is polished and the deck scrubbed.

Yesterday we bought a membership in a CostCo affiliate here called H&R Shopping. Even has the orange shelves and the table with the pickle relish and onions for the hot-dogs! We even spent about the same our first trip. PP 13,000 which at 41 pesos/dollar is too much! No wonder we're broke!

We plan to check out of the marina tonight and head up to Port Carmen tomorrow morning.

Suriago to Jau Island, Bohol

2011-03-05T15:44:00.000-08:00

It was a long but uneventful passage to Limasawa Island, the first place Magellan went ashore to hold mass in the Philippines.We anchored off the west side near a village. It looked small, but there were plenty of canoes on the beach. These were the same kind with the small motors. Late in the afternoon, they started leaving to go out fishing. Lots of them, by twos and threes but continuously for an hour! must have been 60 of them. I smilled and waved to most as they went by. Most managed to launch so that they came close enough to gander at the yacht! I was surprised that most of the canoes were painted very nice. They seem to have the island name, maybe the village name and probably the husband and wife's names. Very few were nameless or had peeling paint. And nearly all started with the first pull of the starter rope.

We still haven't checked in so I didn't feel comfortable going ashore. That and 'kinda hurring' toward Cebu. I think it would be a neat place to come back to for a week sometime.

The next leg is 54 miles. So about 5:30 we weighed anchor for the next stop. We were told thet there were too many 'fishing things' in the waters in the Philippines to travel at night. So we are stopping to anchor every night. Although we haven't seen that much stuff. Maybe the canoes are everywhere with out lights though. It is better rest too. The tides here are funny too. I haven't been able to predict whether we'll have current against us or not on any given leg.

It was not too bad on the way to Jou Island. Since it is a Spanish word, it is pronounced 'ou' like in ouch. The ancient cruising guide book we have says to anchor on the SE side of the island but you have to approach from the west. It talks about the guy who runs a resort here and is friendly to yachts. So, without thinking much we start this 10 mile spiral course into the island. Then I notice that we started in 30 feet of water and it got shallower and narrower all the way in.

Sure 'nuf, you guessed it! We found the mud again. It was 18 feet. I was in the center of the channel. everything was good at 4.5 knots. Then STOPPED! Max reverse did nothing! Trinda was sitting below at the computer and came running up. She couldn't believe the sound, "Like we hit rocks!". But it was only mud and sand. I believe it was nearing low tide, but I'm not sure my tide program is working right here. The dinghy was still on the fore deck from the passage. So we proceeded to get the dinghy down, aired up, motor on etc. in record time. Maybe 10 minutes. I took the hand-held depth finder and went each way to find the channel. It was only a few yards to starboard. I tied a 100 foot rope to the main halyard and started off to starboard in the dinghy. I pulled as hard as the dinghy would, tipping the boat over maybe 45 degrees while Trinda did max reverse. No soap! So next I went back over and pushed against the side of the bow with the dinghy. Still nothing. I started around to the port side of the bow to try pushing back but I couldn't get lined up. I thought it was current. No It finally broke loose and was running away. Trinda backed well away while I got the dinghy tied along side. We left it out there for the last 3 miles of the trip, just in case.

We got to the end of the channel according to my charts and no sign of the "Laguna Escondido Resort and Yacht Haven" so we just anchored in the middle. While we were aground, a smallish ferry came by and kept on going. It was at least 100 feet long and 10 of draft. I don't know where he went, my chart shows not that much depth the direction we saw him last. If I had known where his channel was earlier we could have saved 3 hours on th e trip and missed the mud!

Since the dinghy was down I started ashore to inquire about the resort. It was really shallow. Even though I saw people sitting in their canoes near shore, I only had about 8" under the dinghy when I got to the first one. He was a "government chaffer" who had brought some folks for a meeting. He said the resort had been closed a long time as the guy in the guide book had died. We chatted a while anyway. His canoe, freshly painted white with blue trim, was 18 feet with a 10HP Briggs & Stratten and 6" draft. Briggs & Stratten is the only American motor they have. Mostly Honda and other Japanese ones, from 2, 5, 10 or 15 HP. They have a scaled up canoe, maybe called a pareau, and they use old car engines. I didn't get the size.

Trinda had fried some chicken for lunch so we finished it off and watched a movie.

Philippines

2011-03-05T15:41:00.000-08:00

We left Palau Wed morning under cloudy skies. The wind was a light breeze as we motored the 18 miles across the lagoon to the west pass. The wind continued to build through the morning mostly from the NNE. It started raining just before we got to the pass of course, when you need to be able to see the most, it squalls. That set the pattern for the crossing.

The wind was supposed to clock to the ENE and the wind die to 15 the second day, but it apparently forgot to read the GRIB! It stayed 25 NNE all the way, except for the rain squalls when it would go to 30 before and to 10 for a few minutes afterward. Since the wind was on the beam, (NNE when we were going West), the auto pilot didn't do very well. We spent a lot of time motor sailing with just the staysail or a double reefed main and staysail up. Occasionally we would get surprised by a squall with too much sail up and run a few minutes at 8 or 9 knots, but mostly we only did 5 to 6. It is safer and more comfortable that way.

The seas were big and confused. With the wind on the beam, we had a component of the swewll on the beam too, but a bigger swell from NE and a smaller one from SE. As each of these added or combined beneath and beside the boat, we had 18 foot peaks and big looking holes all around. It wasn't like a big swell coming from one direction where the boat goes up then comes down, it would go up some then a peak would slam into the side then go up more then surf down into a hole and stay low a while. The period of each swell was quite different so it felt more like sailing in a washing machine. All this made Trinda seasick all the way, 5 days and me for 3 days.

We aimed for Dinagat Island, with Suriago Strait to the North and Hinatuan Passage to the South. We finally chose the southern route. There is an island in the middle of the entrance to Hinatuan Passage, Lajanosa, that I thought we could anchor behind out of the weather to rest from the passage. The crazy mixed up swells wrapped around both ends of the island to make all the areas to uncomfortable to anchor. Me motor sailed on into the passage and around behind the first big island. It was much better protected from the weather, but all the little nooks an crannies were over 150 feet deep. The deepest we can safely anchor with our 300 feet of chain is about 100 feet and I am nervous above 80 feet. We finally found a shallow shelf in a little cove and put the anchor down. It was 75 feet, but as the boat swang on the hook, parts were only 40 feet.

We rested! two nights worth!

Some locals came by in their little boats. The standard here seems to be a canoe, 15 to 20 foot, with two outriggers and an inboard 2HP gas engine. They run about 8 knots. 8 of these came by together and ask for food. We had 7 lbs of rice Trinda didn't like so they got that. They had come for another island to the East ( not sure where or how far) to do some fishing, but they couldn't go home because of the typhoon blowing. I hadn't realized we had come through one, but they thought it was a typhoon!

Next we motored on toward Cebu City. We got as far as the last part of Suriago Strait, near Suriago City when the tidal current hit us at 3 knots on the nose. We decided to anchor for the night in front of the wharf. It was calm but not quiet. I forgot to mention that NONE of these little canoes have mufflers! Just think of all your neighbors mowing their lawns at the same time with no mufflers on the mowers! About 9:00 the settled down to only one or two milling around.

Since we are not checked into the country yet we didn't go ashore. We got visas in Palau, but are supposed to see customs and immigration here. It may have been alright, but Suriago is a Port of Entry, so I was nervous. Anyway a canoe came up to the boat and started yelling. They wanted to sell pearls. White pearls grown locally by a Japanese farm. Trinda couldn't resist so she is the proud owner of a couple strings and some earings.

We have not been successful talking on the HAM radio. I try to talk to Denny each day at 6 AM and PM. I only succeeded about 1 out 4 tries. I can't connect to the winlink either. We weighed anchor and started out of the harbor. I turned on the computer chart program (OpenCpn.org) and noticed it connected to a free WiFi!!~! When we anchored, I had casually checked for WiFi and didn't notice any. So, I had Trinda steer slowly while I got winlink to send the mail I had already written before we left. It is 30 miles to the next anchorage against the current so we couldn't stay long enough to do any more email. Next time I'll look better.

In the Philippines

2011-03-02T15:00:00.001-08:00

We made it alive and well, sorta. Trinda was seasick the whole 5 days and has lost a little weight! Wednesday to Monday, 587 miles and 70 hours on the engine.

We had a bit of wind, mostly 25 on the beam, which Auto, the pilot, doesn't like at all! Thus we motor-sailed much of the way on the $.61/gal diesel from Palau! We hear it will be cheaper here.

We Tried to anchor at the first island, Lajanosa, but the big ocean swells wrapped around the whole island so we came on in to Sohutan Bay on Bucas Grande Island and rested a day, yesterday afternoon and today! We still plan to go on to Port Carmine, about 20 miles N of Cebu City, maybe tomorrow.

Had a steak for lunch and plan a homemade pizza for supper! This "no-eating-cause-the-waves-are-too-big" is hard on the waist line!!

(by radio: haven't found an internet yet)

Rock Islands, Palau

2011-02-17T21:45:00.000-08:00

It is hard to get a photo of the many small limestone islands, so I tried a video. My first video, so that's why it is so bad! Ha!

Palau

2011-02-09T20:48:00.000-08:00

Well the fine is paid. After 5 weeks of deliberation and other yachties breaking rules and acting out, etc. our fine was set at $400. A little unbelievable to me still, but I did pay it today. We, Trinda and I, believe in leaving a 'clean wake', no bridges burned and nothing left unfinished. However this round pushed my limits to the extreme!

It seems not all yachties feel the same way. apparently the fine would have been $200 if not for some rude, uncaring folks that had run-ins with the state Marine Rangers between the time I hit the reef last month and this week.

We are getting ready to head for the Philippines, in the neighborhood of Cebu City. It is about the middle of the country north and south wise. The first destination planned is Carmen about 20 miles north of Cebu. It is a small laid back place where we should be able to haul-out and do some anti-fouling painting and other boat work. We understand that workers can be had to do sanding and prep to help refinish the rest of the interior for between $1 and $8 a day. food and general living expenses are supposed to be low as well.

Several of our friends have already reached the Philippines, various places. We have been keeping up via radio. I broke my microphone cable today though. It had some corrosion and was getting intermittent, so I was trying to take it apart to clean when it came into in the wrong place.... always something.

We bought some extra diesel gs and fixed a place to tie them on deck. Then one of the built-in tanks developed a leak! It is not too fast a leak 5 sec/drip, but it fills the bilge eventually. The tanks were put in before the interior of the boat was built. We may have to remove the entire galley area and floor to get at the tank. It is 'black iron' or mild steel so it rusted through somewhere that I can't see. Since there has been no wind we may fill it and let it drip some so we have enough to motor all the way. I hate to though, as diesel is $4.51/gal here!!

Rock Islands

2011-01-20T17:58:00.000-08:00

We are planning to take a few days anchored out at the Rock Islands. It is kind of a park about 5 miles out of the marina here. There will be NO e-mail from there.

Still no resolution on the ticket for 'parking the boat on the reef' for the afternoon. Maybe when we get back. Another boater did it worse than us and forced them to hurry and decide. He paid $200. We are still hoping for less.

We got a rat on board last night. We had gone shopping for more vegetables for the 8 days out and left an ear of corn on the settee. This morning half of it had been eaten!!! Must be a big rat! I borrowed a live trap from the marina and am buying some 'glue boards' to put around. They seem to be really bad here!

Palau - first day

2011-01-07T17:55:00.000-08:00

We arrived in Palau at 11:00 Jan 6 here. No wind, we motored all the way, 48 hours exactly.

It is a big real island with a coral reef outside, and lots of little islands inside the reef too. The islands here are all limestone and the sea is eroding them away, so every one is a mushroom shape. I hope to get photos soon.

Trinda is still a little sick. We both ate something that didn't agree the day before we left Yap.

Computer Problems

2011-01-03T03:20:00.000-08:00

Been having more problems with the computers! Arg!! One has a bad keyboard still, but it is worse as it will no longer let you type even on an external keyboard. The other, the new netbook, has decided to overheat the display chip so I get 5 minutes before I can no longer see the screen!

I am trying to send this note from the 'movie machine'.

I cleaned the bottom today in prep for leaving Yap for Palau tomorrow. Trinda is having a bout of Montezuma's Revenge but I hope we will indeed be leaving. It is 250 miles so should be only a coupe of nights. Denny left this morning.

We had a nice Christmas with Juliano's family and a nice New Year's Day too. He is bringing something from his wife in the morning.

Christmas Dinner

2010-12-25T20:50:00.000-08:00

Trinda with Juliano's son.

Denny and I are waiting to eat. I got so hungry looking at the food I forgot to take a picture of it!

We went to the local Lamotrek Village site, where the outer island folks from Lamotrek have places here in Yap. Juliano invited us to join his family for dinner. His brother-in -law just returned home from 21 years as a chef in Hawaii.

Needless to say it was a wonderful feed.

Turtle cooked 2 ways, BBQ chicken, hot dogs and a pig. BBQ ribs, broiled pork loin and blood pork. And veggies, taro, breadfruit, papaya several ways and other local delights.

It rained a lot, but they were prepared for it. It rains often here.

Lamotrek

2010-12-22T06:00:00.001-08:00

Most of the villages we visited in the Marshals gave Trinda homemade flowers for her hair. With short hair they fell out, so she put them in her hat. I thought she really wanted it, but the chief's wife her fell in love with it and was so cute in it that Trinda gave her her hat with all the flowers.

Denny took a photo of us with Chief Manual and his wife in their yard. It seems really hot here, thus the blue tarps to change the color of the photos. It may also be why they are sticking to the old custom of not much clothing. They live in a more primitive style than in the cities in the state capitals of Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap. Very similar to the outer islands of the Marshals. That is their cooking fire in the background.
While we were here the US Air Force dropped a Christmas package to the island. They do it every year it seems, for the small islands that have no air strip and little regular transportation. It was a thrill to gather on the beach with nearly everyone in the village and watch the C130 fly over and drop the package in the lagoon by parachute. When it left it waved its wings.

There were a few sad parts of the experience though. First the box fell apart when it hit the water. Everything in it got wet with the salt water. Not to dramatic for the plastic toys, but the rice, ramin and Pop-Tarts didn't fare so well. Next, the package had a few cans of food but mostly common items (mackerel, corned beef, etc), not unique Christmas stuff. Then toys, lots of which came with dead or missing batteries, and electronic toys don't work with salt water. A lot of stuffed animals and cheap plastic balls. Then clothes and shoes. The clothes were mostly T-shirts. Only very young children are "allowed" to wear shirts, except while working in the sun, like fishing, so shirts were not the best choice. And shoes! they wear flip-flops, crocks or nothing. 4" patent leather spiked heels didn't seem appropriate nor the whole pile of polished leather dress shoes. As the chief's son sorted and divided the package among the village family men, it was obvious that it was mostly considered a joke.

It would be really nice to communicate back to the folks in Guam that organize and drop the "Christmas Package" that almost every year the box breaks in the water and that the gifts are not appropriate. Christmas cookies, oranges, apples, nuts and toys suitable for the island climate would be better. The islanders are much better off than in the Marshall's where they don't get such packages. They had better food, clothes and shoes than were in the package.

We didn't see as many handicapped people as the Marshall's. This young lady had mental problems but her twin sister was fine. She was really attached to Trinda.

One of the chief's grandsons in a 'local playpen'. They believe that the kids learn to walk faster if they spend time in these playpens pulling themselves up to standing position. They didn't leave him alone much in it though.
We were surprised to see they did not eat much rice, flour, sugar or ramin like other outer islanders. They grew and ate 3 kinds of taro, tapioca, breadfruit, bananas, and coconut based dishes. Lots of fish, fried, boiled and raw (sushimi). They do have their bad habits though. Nearly everyone chews bettlenut and the men drink tuba every afternoon. Tuba is the sour toddy from Kiribati, or fermented coconut sap. When a coconut palm produces a bloom stalk for a bunch of coconuts, the cut the blooms off and hang a container under it to catch the juices that would grow the coconuts. If it is a sterile container, it is used to sweeten drinks and season food (taro and pumpkin cakes) or to drink straight by women and kids. If it is collected in a coconut shell that has previously held fermented juice, it makes beer in only a few hours. I heard one young man complaining that with the morning cut, the afternoon cut and the evening cut of his seven trees he hardly had time for anything else! In the morning they collect the fresh stuff for the women, and start catching for the afternoon tuba. Before 3:00 they change the containers and all the men go to the 'men's houses' and drink the morning cut. The men's houses are the canoe huts and meeting halls. Really just a large thatched roof with mats over gravel for the floors. They drink till 5'ish then go change the container for the sterile ones again. Afterward they return to the men's houses and drink the afternoon cut. They didn't seem to get very drunk, but Forrest had a hard time returning to the boat one night. I tried a few cups, but couldn't get past the taste and besides I don't do too well with the strong drink lately. I don't recover like I did when I was a kid.

Some senators came on a patrol boat and had a long meeting for the afternoon. They were inspecting their previous grants and taking questions and requests for more support. Surprisingly they handed out cigarettes and bettlenut to everyone throughout the meeting. To the men under the men's house, to the women setting around the outside edge listening and to the children all around. It seemed like 10 and up were allowed to chew, but I did not notice the youngsters smoking.

I was low on fuel, so I asked and succeeded in buying 45 gallons of diesel from the patrol boat. We transfered it in 3 trips with the dinghy in 3 5-gal jugs. The captain said they were on their way to Chuuk to get fuel cause they were running low too. But because I requested it and they barely had enough, he was obligated to help me out. Then he was very nice and accommodating. He made sure the jugs were more than filled to the 5 gal mark. He also gave me coffee in the bridge while they figured out how much fuel they had and needed.

We asked if there was ample electricity and a workspace ashore to repair the sail. They had a generator at the elementary school (1st-9th grade) if I had gas for it. Denny helped with the sail repair.

Trinda too!
And Forrest distracted the kids for us.

Taking the sail and sewing machine back to the boat.

Yap Arrival

2010-12-22T02:02:00.001-08:00

Made Yap safely. Only one small rip in the main sail. Need 75 gal
diesel at $4.20/gal here. A little tired. Checked in, hamburgered and
laundried! Hope to do a real update soon.

Day 2 to Yap

2010-12-19T00:38:00.000-08:00

It has been a great passage so far. We had to motor most of the first day, but it was flat seas. Today we sailed at 5 knots all day in 10 knots of wind. Nothing broke!! 2 1/2 more days, should get there mid day the 22nd.

we are talking on 6,236.0 at 0800Z & 2000Z daily.

Merry Christmas!

Leaving Lamotrek, FSM

2010-12-16T22:11:00.000-08:00

Today we repaired the main sail in preparation for leaving another beautiful island before its time!
Not sure just why the rush, but its 500 miles to Yap and Trinda decided that that's where Christmas will be. Should be a 4 day trip. We plan to leave in the morning, Saturday here.

This was a unique island. As Denny said (I missed it though) he was surprised to be the only adult in church with a shirt on. Yep only the little children are allowed to cover their breast here. Too bad they sent all the high school age girls to a different island for school. Oh well, I'd just got in trouble.

Maybe photos later, if they don't get banned.

2 more days to Lamotrek

2010-12-10T23:13:00.000-08:00

The first three days were not too good.
First day the main sail ripped up prutty bad, we may have to get a new sail? The second day the autopilot quadrant broke in several pieces. It took me an hour to think of how to fix it then 2 more top make a new bracket.
Third day yhr HAM antenna broke but fell only half way down. I retied it to miss the other rigging and it seems to work. two days now no failures.
Denny is waiting in Lamotrek and has offered to help us with fuel if the wind dies and we have to motor too far toward Yap.

We RE FINE, BUT TIRED OF FIXING THINGS!

Leaving Phonpei

2010-12-05T13:00:00.000-08:00

I looked through all the photos I have taken here and in Kosrae and found nothing worth uploading! I need to snap more times and more subjects. No picture of us or recognizable of friends. Even the scenery ones are no good and only 10 from Kosrae and 15 from here. I can just hear Sherry saying to send them anyway, but they are no good.

We were planning to leave this morning, but we both decided last night that we just were not mentally ready for a 7 or 8 day passage. Maybe tomorrow.

Pohnpei is much nicer than Majuro was. The shopping for groceries is less, but the people, the town (Kolonia) is more upscale. I think the people are a little more affluent here, more education and available money. They do chew too much beetlenut. It is a nut or bud from a palm tree that resembles a date palm. They chew it with a pinch of coral sand or flour wrapped in a leaf. some add a little tobacco and vodka. The coral sand is almost like lye. It eats their gums and teeth, makes them spit red from the nut that stains the sidewalks even with this rain and causes cancer of the mouth and stomach. The nut is the size of a pecan so you can't understand them when they try to talk with it in their jaw!

It has rained a few inches every day we have been here. There is a tall mountain behind the anchorage that is really green. The water in the bay is murky from the runoff. It seems to have grown moss on the swim ladder very quickly, but no barnacles.

We plan to bypass Chuuk (the Truk islands) and head for the small Lamotrek atoll for a few days then on to Yap, just south of Guam.

Thanksgiving in Pohnpei

2010-11-26T13:25:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!
We had a nice day. Made dinner and ate with Denny and Forrest on
Jubilant and Jim om Fandango.
Turkeys here are $45 for a 12 lb'er so we opted for 2 roasting
chickens. I made dressing too. Trinda made green beans and of course
the required lemon-marenge and pecan pies. We also had chocolate chip
cookies left from the day before.

We sat around and told stories all afternoon. Was nice.

A few days ago we rented a taxi and toured the island. $80 for all day
for the 5 of us in a small van. It is a little larger island so it did
take all day, maybe 50 miles of driving. We stopped at "Rosa's
Cantina" for lunch. No Mexican food. I don't know where they got the
name. The special was grilled yellow-fin tuna. Trinda and Forrest had
a hamburger and fries. We tried to drive up the mountain in the
afternoon, but the little van wasn't up to it. It was already hot and
half way up it died and wouldn't start again, so we coasted back down
to the flat. He radioed for another taxi that came and brought us
back.

Pohnpei (pronounced pon a pay) is quite a nice place. The anchorage is
well protected and quiet. It does have some problems for us. The hills
rise steeply from the bay, meaning we have to hike up about 200 feet
of steep road to reach a place we can get a taxi. The other problem
is, because it is a volcano island with a reef, the run-off from the
rains create mangrove swamps around the edge of the water. This means
mosquitoes and cloudy water. Swimming is ok, you just can't see any
distance in the water. The snorkeling is not that good either for the
same reasons.

Our auto-pilot did not do well on the way to Kosrae or here. I ordered
a replacement just before leaving Majuro. It came without a manual and
the connectors are different, with a different number of wires. In
Kosrae I downloaded the manual and it seems I have to replace the
remote control also. I ordered it here so we are here for at least a
week.

Denny is getting itchy feet and may move on without us. It is still
nearly 2000 miles to the Philippines and his crew only gets 4 months
off. He is also worried that the next place may be nicer and he'll
want to spend more time there (from each place he's at!).

Arrive Pohnpei

2010-11-18T00:02:00.001-08:00

4:30 PM we pulled up to the dock for check-in. $36.24 overtime fees
because customs didn't come till after 5!
Tired. No significant breakage this trip!

Getting ready to leave Kosrae

2010-11-14T11:47:00.001-08:00

We are getting ready to leave already. It is beautiful here but we
seem to have itchy feet!
I am supposed to be getting fuel today. We plan to checkout from
customs today also. Already did from immigration.

We took a taxi tour of the island. it is maybe 6 miles by 8 miles with
one road along the coast that doesn't quite make it all the way
around. Two resorts, mostly for divers and government officials it
seems. I have some photos, but the Internet is more expensive than
Majuro was before the high speed cable, so later.

It is 300 miles to Pohnpei so may be 3 days.

Kosrae Arrival

2010-11-08T00:48:00.001-08:00

We're here. A little sail damage, a little dodger damage, lots of
diesel used, tired... but safely anchored. More later.

Oh and I been spelling it wrong before. Oops!

Checked out of Majuro

2010-11-03T00:10:00.000-07:00

It seems almost strange to be checked out of Majuro and the Marshall Islands after being here almost two years. We came the week before Christmas dinner in 2008. We had Thanksgiving in Kiribati and then sailed to Majuro.

We cleared out of the Ports Authority, Immigration and Customs this morning . Then a few groceries and a goodbye to Merine, who gave us a big box of fresh peanut-butter cookies, then back to the boat. It rained the whole time we were in town. The internet died here just liken every time it rains a little! Arg! So this is coming by radio and there were no goodbye phone calls.

We are at Enamonet tonight. Made 6 whole miles so far, only 499 to go! I cleaned on the bottom of the boat while Trinda fried chicken legs and made a potato salad for munching along the way.

If the wind is right, we'll leave tomorrow morning, otherwise it Sat morning. No superstitions, BUT no sailor starts a passage on a Friday!

Kaven Maloelap

2010-10-22T21:15:00.000-07:00

They always say it is bad to anchor on a lee shore, and Kaven is a lee shore. We are the only sailboat that has stopped in Kaven in the past 5 years. I guess I'll explain why! Arg!

It was a beautiful calm day as we motored up from Taroa toward Kaven. It is about 25 miles, so it took most of the day. We were tired from the flu still, so we decided to anchor in a little better protected spot about 2.5 miles from Kaven, at Yarubaru Is. We rested and had a peaceful night. About 10 AM we motored on to Kaven and anchored in front of the school.

Trinda still was not feeling well from the flu so I took the candies for the kids and went ashore alone. I found the World Teach volunteer, Angelina. We walked around passing out the lollies and took photos in her classroom. It began to rain. We stepped inside a house we had just given candy too, to wait out the heavy part of the rain. After about 10 minutes I walked in the rain over to the beach where I could see the boat. All looked OK. I went back. About 10 more minutes it let up some and I said I needed to get back to check on Trinda.

As we got back to the center of the village where I could see the boat, IT WAS IN THE WRONG PLACE!! We rushed to the dinghy and tried to launch it. The wind had gotten up to 30 knots straight from the other side of the lagoon, 30 miles away. With that much fetch, it only took 20 minutes to build 10 to 12 foot breakers on the beach and under the boat. Angelina, some students and I could not launch the dinghy! The breakers just filled it with water. A couple of the local men ran out to help. They first tipped the dinghy over sideways to empty the water then helped launch it without filling it up again. I waved goodbye and got to the boat.

Trinda was in a panic! The anchor had slipped some. The chain had jumped off the windlass and run out the whole 300 feet. That put the boat back almost on the beach in 11 feet of water. We need 7 feet to float and the 10 foot waves made it less. Trinda was sure she heard the boat hit the bottom a time or two.

When the wind first got strong, she had tried to get my attention. We have a "canned air airhorn". She honked it all out. Also another one you blow on. She then rang the ships bell a while. Not a sole looked out in the rain to see her. She was VERY frustrated, to say the least! When I got to the boat I started apologizing before I got out of the dinghy.

The waves were so big that I just pulled up beside the boat and on a high one just rolled out of the dinghy onto the deck!. I tied off the dinghy on the side of the boat, with the outboard and wheels still down in the water. I started the boat engine and ran up to get the anchor started up. Trinda drove the boat toward the anchor chain while I got it on the gypsy of the windless and started pulling it up. Finally almost safe, we headed for the pass about 2 miles away. The wind was still about 30 and veered around straight from the pass. We thought that we could get in the lee of the island next to the pass and maybe find a sand patch not too deep to anchor for the night. The wind was so hard that it took 4 hours to get to the pass. By then it was too dark to see to find a safe place to anchor. We followed our previous track through the pass out to the ocean side, looking for a break from the wind. Not found! We were tired! We had noticed a 60 foot depth in the center of the pass, so we turned around and went back looking for it. Just as we passed it the windless acted up and threw the breaker again so it wouldn't go down by power. I released the clutch and let it run out fast. We managed to get anchored in about 85 feet of water. Then it was time to do something about the dinghy. We had stopped in order to get it squared away. You can't expect to tow a dinghy with motor any distance in the ocean without lots of damage, like a line chaffing into and loosing it or the rings tearing out.

There was still about 6 foot waves from the wind in the lagoon and about 8 foot swell coming in the pass from the ocean side, but only about 15 seconds a part. I tried to pull the dinghy up to get in so we could take the motor off. I couldn't pull it up, something was caught. I had left the dinghy anchor in the dinghy with its 75 foot rope and thought it must have bounced out and caught on the reef. I went back and crawled out through the lifelines and fell into the dinghy between waves. I found the tight line and cut it. I still couldn't pull the dinghy forward! I looked again and saw the anchor still there but a tight line from the other side. The dinghy anchor line had washed out of the dinghy and fouled the main boat prop! Well I cut that side too then we pulled it around to the other side where we hoisted the outboard off and got it on the rail mount safely. Then I noticed the dinghy wheels that I left down, were now only one! One vibrated loose and lost. Someone in Kaven will now have a new wheel barrow wheel.

It was dark now. Another thing you never do, is leave the boat with a sever problem when things are bad! I was too tired, so I said I'd deal with the anchor rope in the prop in the morning. This time I got away with it. We woke up at first light, as if we actually slept any with the anchor chain jerking on the coral every wave and the boat bobbing all around. I jumped over and started untying the rope from the prop. There were still big waves. now and then a wave so big the boat prop came out of the water with me snorkeling, trying to hold on and untie the mess. I finally got it, then noticed I could see more of the shaft than I should.

I got back aboard, I had to have Trinda help as I was so tired and jerked around that I couldn't climb the ladder with my fins and mask on. I looked in the engine room and sure enough, the 'drive saver', a rubber coupling between the transmission and the propeller shaft, had "protected" the transmission and broken completely away.

After worrying a while, I removed the bolts and pieces and found that there was just enough slack in the shaft to bolt it direct to the transmission without the drive saver. We were in business again. Then I got a big glass of water. Oh! It's salty!! I had left the deck fill ports open with a towel around them to catch any possible rain. Trinda has been washing clothes every day and using lots of water. When the wind came up, it made the boat bounce, salt water came over the bow and ran right into the drinking water tanks.

I had noticed it open earlier and closed the deck fills but hopped that not much water came in. We drank the cold water that Trinda keeps in the fridge until that was gone. We used the tank water to wash dishes and such. Because the fresh water floats on top of salt water, we accidentally used most of the salt water out of the tank before we need to drink much. By then it was diluted enough, it only tasted a little off. When we got back to Majuro and settled down a little, I tested the tank water with the watermaker tester and it was not bad, 400 ppm, where the watermaker makes 250 ppm water. You can taste salt at about 750 ppm.

We got the engine going, weighed the anchor and voted to return direct to Majuro and skip Likiep. We were sad to have to miss visiting Likiep again, but we need to get back to order parts and rest. We still plan to head West the first week of November.

The wind stayed in the SE, just enough that it was mostly on the nose the 100 miles back to Majuro. Doing only 3 knots it too too long to get back. but we're here and safe. $200 for a new drive saver, $135 for new set of dinghy wheels. The ropes I cut were old already. A few cuts and bruises but we're fine.

Trinda will say that I wrote this up all about me, but she was there and worried, scared and excited the whole time too. Good thing no one could hear the things she said while I was still ashore and the boat was heading for the beach!

The World Teach Volunteers

2010-10-22T14:24:00.000-07:00

Todd in Aur, Aur

Laura in Tobal, Aur:
Terry is one of the other teachers in Laura's school.The new school building on the left, the old on the right. Laura's room is the new building, the far right room.
Laura at church.
In the classroom.
Kristina in Airik, Maloelap. Kristina's room is the second room from the close end.
In the classroom.

Angilina in Kaven, Maloelap

Jedic Spike and Boston

2010-10-20T04:42:00.000-07:00

Speaking of Spike, here is Jedic Spike, now 2 years old:

Kimra, his wife and Spike:

Boston and family:

Small Larry

2010-10-20T04:36:00.001-07:00

Spike, our friend on Holokai not our new grandson, kept telling us that one day when we returned to the outer islands there would be a little Larry or Trinda. Sure enough Dada (Steve on Ironie's girlfriend) has a new half brother in Airik, Maloelap. Her dad asked her input for the 3 month old's name. She said "Larry, Small Larry!".

So Here he is with Dada holding him, Small Larry

Back in Majuro

2010-10-20T01:58:00.000-07:00

We are safely back on our mooring in Majuro. We cut the trip short due to a story I hope to write up soon... after I fully recover my mind.

It has to do with unexpected 30 knot wind on a lee shore, dragging the anchor, 12 foot waves, 2 hours to go 4 miles, dinghy painter in prop, lost dinghy wheel, a couple of nights trying to sleep in bouncy boat......

We are fine, boat is repairable, Its' just money anyway, but not much, just the 'drive saver' , a $200 rubber washer.

Toroa Maloelap

2010-10-15T21:48:00.000-07:00

We brought the Councilman, Benjamin and his family up to Toroa. It was a mostly pleasant trip, it rained and wind gusts to 20 for a little while.

We both caught the flu in Airik! Awful!

I think we'll go on to Likiep soon, maybe stopping in Kaven a day. It is about 135 miles from here, so a day and a half.

Kaven Trip Canceled

2010-10-11T00:10:00.000-07:00

Not quit sure what's up, but instead of showing up at 6 AM, the doctors and the councilman came out after 7 and said the trip was canceled, then asked when I would be going to Toroa and whether I would take 8 passengers then. I guessed 3 days and said maybe on Thursday. It looks like they are counting on Thursday at 8 AM.

Oh well. all in a days cruising. Our friend Steve on Iornie, is bringing his girlfriend, Dada, to stay with her father here in Airik. They had been dating a while, but Steve is planning to head west in Nov. also. It seems we met her father and uncle last time here. She has a new half brother here. She was asked to help with a name and chose "Larry". SO, I have a name-sake in Airik, Maloelap, Marshall Islands. He is a very well fed 3 month old. I'll have photos later.

Several of the folks remember us from last year. The ladies (Nita, et.al.) are expecting Trinda to spend the day with them tomorrow (beading I think) and I am taking a Romeo and sons on a spear fishing expedition. They are short of both boats and fuel. ha!

We met Christina, the World Teach volunteer here. She seems happy and adjusted to island life.

Aur to Maloelap

2010-10-10T02:18:00.000-07:00

We left Tobal, Aur about 8:00 AM this morning (Oct 10th here). I had thought it was about 25 miles pass-to-pass, but turns out it is 25 miles total from Tobal to Airik, Maloelap. We got here about 3:30. Not too bad considering the 1.5 knot adverse current and the 15-20 knot wind nearly on the nose! We sailed down the lagoon in Aur, then motor-sail the rest of the way. Lots of the time under 3 knots. But we made it OK.

As soon as we were anchored, a local boat came out. It had two doctors aboard. The have declared an emergency and requested we take them to Kaven, Maloelap immediately, 30 miles across the lagoon. I don't cross lagoons full of coral-heads in the dark, but told them we'd leave at 6 in the morning. That was after I tried to sell them my gas from the dinghy so they could take their own motor boat.... I also pointed out that a government ship just left here and maybe they should call it back for their emergency, but they didn't want to use my radio. I hope it is a real emergency, cause I don't know that we'll be able to come back here and really did want to see some of the folks we met here last year.

Kaven is on the downwind side of the lagoon, and with the wind at 20 knots all day the waves should be about 6 feet high on the beach there. It will be dangerous anchoring on a lee shore with wind and waves and taking the dinghy in. They say there is no boat there to come out to get them there either? Seems poor planning for medical emergencies.

leaving Aur for Maloelap

2010-10-09T01:29:00.000-07:00

We plan to leave Tobal, Aur about 8 AM tomorrow (Oct 10 here) and head for Airik, Maloelap. It is about 45 miles, so an easy day trip. Only 25 miles of open ocean, the rest in inside the lagoons. Ha! A boat made it here from Majuro just fine in 30 knot winds, to enter the lagoon then have two things break immediately.... So go it...
Later,
Larry & Trinda

The Funeral

2010-10-09T00:49:00.001-07:00

We were supposed to take James and his family out to their island today to hunt coconut crab, but the wind was too high last night and we were too tired for yesterday. We thought we were sleeping in, but James called about 6:30 saying, "See the plane landing. It is bringing passengers and food for the funeral for my Auntie in Aur, Aur this afternoon. Could you bring my family and the three ladies form the plane to Aur for it. And the few packages?"

"Sure." I said. I know how the Marshall ese count by now, so was not surprised at the 24 people on the boat or the 'freight'. 15 each of the 25 pound boxes of "quarter-legs" (the hind quarter of a chicken), paper plates, cups, kool-aid, instant coffee, creamer, sugar, flour, and various boxes required for the day.

So we take off for Aur and naturally it rains briefly a couple of times on the way. We had tarps for the freight and the people oll of which were on deck.

She died yesterday morning and the burial is to be at 3:00 today because there is no embalming on the outer islands. The Iroj from Airik died 2 weeks ago in Majuro and the ship came through Aur and Tobal 3 days ago on his way to his burial. They do embalm in Majuro.

About 4:30 we gather in the yard of the family. The grave is dug beside others next to the back door. clean beach sand is spread all around the back of the house. Everyone in the village plus all the family from Majuro and Tobal are seated around the neighborhood. Dogs and kids playing everywhere. A couple of boys are practicing for their eventuality on the grave-stone next to the open grave. No one says a word to them. About 5:00 all the male government employees form up in the street one house down. The 4 constables in uniform in front. Then they march up to and in the front door. A few minutes later, the constables carry the coffin out the front door and around to the grave in the back. And set it beside the grave on a plastic tarp. The Mayor etc. file out the rear and sit in chairs lined up in the yard facing the grave, basically with their backs to everyone except the husband and the oldest son. The minister is one of the men. 5 or 6 of the men give speeches apparently discussing the life of the lady. Next the constables begin nailing the top on the coffin, it was closed so I didn't realize it wasn't nailed yet. The husband leans on the corner of the coffin saying his last goodbye's then ropes are placed under the ends. It is lowered into the grave as a song is sung in Marshallese. We recognize the tune as "When we gather at the river". As the constables started filling in the dirt, the family ladies began serving the chicken, donuts and kool-aid we had brought.

It was too late to make it back to Tobal and anchor before dark, so we spent the night there. James and Anowgo stayed onshore with her sister.

They gave us more bananas, papayas, breadfruit and coconuts.

The Funeral

2010-10-09T00:49:00.000-07:00

So we take off for Aur and naturally it rains briefly a couple of times on the way. We had tarps for the freight and the people oll of which were on deck.

It was too late to make it back to Tobal and anchor before dark, so we spent the night there. James and Anowgo stayed onshore with her sister.

They gave us more bananas, papayas, breadfruit and coconuts.

Aur Arrival

2010-09-30T00:19:00.000-07:00

It was an easy trip to Aur. We motored out the Majuro pass about sundown and another couple of miles. The wind filled in and we sailed 35 miles. Then the wind died and we motored the rest of the way.

The World Teach teacher, Todd, and 3 students swam out to the boat. I guess we were too tired to go into the village today, so they came to us.

We'll visit more tomorrow and then decid when to go on up to Tobal.

All Provisioned and Fueled

2010-09-27T09:37:00.001-07:00

I don't know how much we forgot to get, but we are leaving this morning anyway. I can't believe we haven't done this for a WHOLE YEAR!!!! I has been since this time last year that we left Majuro with the boat.

We plan to go to Aur for a few days then Maloelap and then Likiep and back here. Then provision again and head for Jaluit in the Marshall's still for a few days then to Kosarae in the FSM (Federated States of Micronesia). Maybe a month there. and continue on west.

I'm looking forward to cruising again.

I haven't tested the radio email in over a year, so don't worry too much if you don't hear from us for a few weeks. Even if it does still work, I've heard the propagation is low lately and I may not be able to connect with the email stations, but I'll try.

Plans, plans!

2010-09-24T01:19:00.000-07:00

The neat thing about making plans is, as soon as you make them and announce them you ar at liberty to CHANGE them! heahahha!

We have been trying to leave for an outer-island excursion for 2 weeks and still haven't gotten away. (Need a new propane tank, the old one rusted out and need to fill the boat with diesel. Ya would think 'no problem". The tank truck broke the nozzle for the filler spout, and the island is temporarily out of 5-gal propane tanks! Maybe by Monday, 2 weeks late!)

It was to be a 6 week to 2 month deal.....

Trinda has decided that we are done with the Marshall's. She was wanting to leave and go someplace the minute we got back. The plan then was to leave for Fiji in March and make a loop through Vanuatu and maybe the Solomons and back here before heading west. But no, we'll leave in Nov for points west: Federated States of Micronesia and the Philippines.

So now the loop to the outer islands will be just the close ones we've been to before and for only 3 weeks or so, so we can come back to provision and check out.

It is only 400 some miles to the first island west, Kosarae, then maybe 450 to Pohnopai. So the first couple of months isn't too far.

Busy, busy, busy!

2010-09-11T02:37:00.000-07:00

I finally made electricity with the new alternator today. It took a while. First I had to choose an alternator! After days of searching the Internet I found a Leece Nevile 165 amp model in California for only $1905! Turns out it is mostly made in China then finished with American diodes and regulator. Hoping for the best. It came with an internal regulator, but boats need an external fancier one, so I needed an adapter and a new pulley for it. Shipping and all $309, not too bad.

Next, while charging the batteries with the main engine I noticed the old system was not working right. The battery voltage was 15.3 and the old regulator was still in bulk mode, just cooking the batteries. NOT good! So I shut nit off and have been monitoring the charging very closely by hand.

My existing system was a Link 2000R and Ideal Regulator Output module. Obsolete for 7 years with no possibility of replace and very high repair. More searching the internet. I didn't like any of the ones I found. Most of the companies are merged or out of business. I finally chose a Balmar ARS-5 standalone 3 stage regulator and a Xantrax LinkLite (single bank) battery monitor. I have the regulator installed and controlling both the main engine and the aux (watermaker) engine with a DPDT manual switch.

I also have the wind generator working. It is temporarily mounted on a 6 foot pole tied to the bow pulpit. It would get more wind if it were on top of the mizzen mast, but that would mean climbing up there several times to install it. 38 feet and no power assist up the mizzen!

The regulator/controller for the solar panels died at the same time as the alternator. I didn't notice for a while, since they put out so little.

I was so disgusted by the offerings of battery monitors and regulator controllers that I almost decided to build my own regulator. A the last minute I was saved and bought the Balmar ($270). Same with the battery monitor, a fancy volt/amp meter with a memory for amphours, and only for one set of batteries at that, Xantrax $230. I found a company that sells micro computer kits for a volt/amp meter for $15 so I ordered 3 and the various programmers etc. for only $... better not add that one up while Trinda is watching. I'm hoping the mail will deliver them within the week.

The micro computers are ATmega8 family and can be programmed easily from Linux and a USB port. If I can build and program what I think I can, I can make a amphour meter that will tell me how the wind generator is doing and how the solar panels are doing and even watch the alternator output current (which the old one did, but the new one can't) all in one little board 2"x3". It should be fun playing with it anyway.

Mean while, Trinda has me stripping an varnishing so we can take another out island trip. We plan to leave in about a week. Lots of stuff to do to get ready!

I made pizza last night and "sticky buns" this afternoon.

Back to the boat

2010-08-09T16:38:00.000-07:00

We've been back to the boat in Majuro for a week now. First we slept a couple of days. The 21 hour trip took its toll on us.

We called Spike while we were in Honolulu and he picked us up at the airport and took us for a midnight snack at Denny's. We had a nice visit catching up on friends at both ends. He had a good stay in Fanning Island also and met some of the same people we knew.

The boat is OK, a lot of mildew to clean up but we are progressing. I got the new bilge pump hose installed and the TV and computer. They use more power than I had hoped, but about what it said. 7 amps on the inverter is about 75 watts, but when I get the wind generator hooked up, it should about break even. Oh yeah, I bought an Air Breeze wind generator this trip. I plan to mount it on the bow pulpit for now to see how it does. I may move it to the mizzen mast later. It should put out about 20 amps in a average wind here, 15-20 knots.

I was running the watermaker/generator and noticed the alternator sparking in the back. I thought that just the slip-rings were dirty and needed cleaning. We had watched two movies on the computer so the electric was down, so I decided to charge the batteries one more time before I took it apart to clean it.... oops! Big mistake number 13! About two hours into the charge, the alternator overheated and burned out! Now one more thing to fix.

We have started the sanding so we can continue re-varnishing the interior woodwork again.

Nola, the youngest grandaughter

2010-07-31T22:27:00.000-07:00

She seems to be the happiest baby!

Oh, some advice, "Never turn the camera sideways to take a movie, its too hard to rotate it back!"!!!

Some of Trinda's Quilts

2010-07-31T20:08:00.000-07:00

This first one is Gary and Ronnie's. They claim that being the oldest, Gary has never gotten a quilt! Ha! I know better, he had one when he was small, but maybe he did get short changed a little.

Trinda has been making quilts while in Seattle. The first two are Wyndi's and the rest at Guy's.

The Girls

2010-07-30T22:48:00.000-07:00

Morgan, Zoe and their neighbor friend.

Crash hats are required for extreme bicycling , or even just in the parking lot.

Guy and Amanda, I'll be in trouble for this, no pregnant lady assigned to bed rest wants her picture taken, but she's a trooper.

Trinda's Birthday

2010-07-28T10:18:00.001-07:00

Steve made a wonderful pair of cioppinos for Trinda for a birthday dinner. A tomato, jalapeno one and a white wine one. With clams, crablegs, scallops and shrimp, they were both great. Also corn on the cob, Grandma had to share with Izzy!Then, just cause she needed it, a cherries-jubilee ice cream cake from 31-Flavors.

Our granddaughter Izabell's ballet recital

2010-07-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

Can you guess which one she is??? First one who guesses right wins a prize, or at least a feeling of affirmation:)

Back to Shoreline

2010-07-25T17:07:00.000-07:00

We 'moved' back to Shoreline and Wyndi's this morning. We need to start mailing all the boxes of supplies back to Majuro. I don't know how we got so much junk gathered up.

It was really fun playing with guy's toys and the computers, helping him solve the problems he has come up with. Of course I didn't really solve many of them, but it was fun researching new and different problems.

A few photos from the last few days at Guys.

Trinda and me.

Guy and Zoe.

These are from the gallery: 07_21_Guys

Amanda and Morgan managed to hide all this week whenever I thought of the camera!

Studying Refrigeration

2010-07-13T09:51:00.000-07:00

My son Guy is a refrigeration man and has a training/test system in the garage. We played with it a while and got it running wit a small evaporator. I'm looking quite the pro here! Ha!

We have been staying at his place in Puyallup, WA for the past few weeks. Amanda is doing well. The girls are enjoying the summer vacation from school with all the grand parents around. Amanda has lots of family in the area.

I've not bee too good at taking pictures lately. Trying to get the last of the supplies organized for the trip back to the boat. I changed Trinda's tickets to match mine, so we are both heading back to Majuro on Aug 1st.

Family Photos

2010-06-09T19:17:00.000-07:00

We all got together at Wyndi & Steve's for pizza and visiting.

Our Grand granddaughters from left Morgan, Nola, Izzy and Zoe. Ever see such beautiful girls?

It's not so much as 'attention span' as in getting it to begin with! Wyndi, Gary and Guy.

And the spouses, Ronnie, Steve and Amanda.

One more of Ronnie and Gary with Nola since we see them so seldom.

2010-05-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

Izzy stopped on the way home from ballet and had her face painted.

Guy, Morgan and Zoe with his aerophonics garden version 2. Version 3 is on the way.

Zoe had a hard day and fell asleep.

More Nola kate

2010-05-16T09:23:00.000-07:00

Nola and Papa, so tiny!

"Grandma, be nice!"

We're Grandparents Again!

2010-05-05T17:35:00.000-07:00

Nola Kate, Izabell Ann and Steven

Her first 'binky' a flying hippo.

Grandma Trinda and Nola

She's so little!

Nola , about 4 hours old, 6 pounds 5 ounces

Mom Wyndi and Izzy, a little tired and drugged after the emergency procedure.

Izzy adjusting her cap.

Papa and Nola

Papa, Izzy and Nola

Inexpensive Hearing Aids

2010-05-04T18:15:00.000-07:00

I ordered a pair of BTE Acoustitone PRO from MDHearingaid.com, $299 for the pair. They arrived promptly in good packaging. I ordered them as a backup or spare, since we live on a boat in the remote South Pacific where service will be slow and by mail only, with almost no internet when we get back there from our 'vacation' in Seattle.

I wished for more information about them on the web. There was not enough.
I hopped there would be more info packaged with them. There was not any more. They do seem to work. My wife says they amplify the high too much, but I think I could get used to them. We neither have any experience with HAs.

There is a switch labeled N.H.O Normal, High & Off I believe the Normal is for a flat loss and the High is for a High freq loss with normal hearing in the lower freqs. There is a volume dial. It is VERY sensitive. I set it between 1 (almost off) and 2 (too loud) but it goes to 4. I don't know who would need the volume of 4.

They come with 3 sizes of domes for the ear. I chose the smallest so I would get some normal sound through for the low freq that I can hear. The medium dome sounded dull or muffled.
They came with a tiny screw driver which there is no mention of in the instructions. The case is screwed together, but no mention of "user serviceable parts inside". I haven't look inside ...yet.
(Well maybe a little.) They have a long ear hook and large tubing. It is too stiff so they do not sit comfortable on the ear. There is no instruction for trimming the tube to the correct length, so that may be my problem. I trimmed it a little shorter and it is better.
They buzz when a telephone is held near them (cell and cordless house) . There may be a technique of using a phone, but I haven't tried enough to find out yet.

Our audiograms are:

freq	Larry R	Larry L	Trinda R	Trinda L
200	15	25	50	40
500	15	20	55	50
1000	20	20	55	50
1500	35	25	53	50
2000	55	50	50	45
3000	55	55	55	50
4000	60	55	55	50
6000	50	35	55	50
8000	45	30	60	55

New Photos

2010-05-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

Trinda in Aur, Aur last fall:
I have uploaded all of the photos I have taken for the last 6 months. They are now on my regular site under My Cruising Photo Album.
The new photos are from about August 2009 through March 2010.

Update on Barb

2010-04-22T13:42:00.000-07:00

Our friend Barb has opened retreat called Oak Hill Retreat. It is on their property near Monroe, WA where Trinda used to go to visit and spend weekends sewing, quilting and all kinds of other things.

We are proud of her and wish her great success.

Varnishing

2010-04-19T09:32:00.001-07:00

They announced a swap meet, to get rid of the old stuff from the boat and get someone else's junk to replace it. So I took the day off from varnishing:

I had a hydraulic pump on the watermaker/generator motor. I needed to remove it. It took two days to get it off and get the generator back together. The pulley for the pump was behind the flywheel so it had to be disassembled this far just to take the pump off.

A view of the galley as I started stripping the old varnish off.

The port settee and galley 'finished. 3 coats most places with a 4th in the high wear areas.

Dive at Enamonet

2010-04-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

Now that the Internet is a little cheaper to access (free at Wyndi's), here are a few pictures from Feb at Enamonet Beach in Majuro. It is a favorite picnic and snorkel spot because it is only about 6 miles from the main town on Majuro. Yet it seems like an outer island because the only way here is by boat and only 2 families live here. One is the care-taker of the hotel's property.

Trinda snorkeling where you can't see the other side of the lagoon, but it is not really in the middle of the ocean like it looks.

It was not a very clear day. No one remembers their camera on the exceptionally good days!

Trinda is OK.
Trinda examining the airplane near our buoy.
Why do my eyes always look so 'open' underwater?

Preparing for at Seattle Visit

2010-04-07T03:08:00.000-07:00

The time for my flight to Seattle to visit the kids and catch up with Trinda is fast approaching. There is so much to do! Not to mention the never ending re-varnishing.

I have now completed the V-berth stateroom, the port settee, half the galley, the removable floor boards and (almost) the cabinet doors from the galley forward. 4 quarts of satin and 2 quarts of gloss.

I changed the oil in both the generator and main engine and cleaned the bilge, so the bilge pump will operate automatically as advertised. Of course the bilge pump hose is bad and has to be replaced too.

Still to go: filling the diesel tanks, pickling the watermaker, removing anything valuable from the deck/lifelines ( all those ropes Trinda thinks I should live without!) cleaning u inside and storing all these newly varnished doors below somewhere.

I have arranged for friend to watch the boat, including starting the engines occasionally and checking the mooring lines. I need to make a check list for him and written instructions for the engines.

These things need to happen as I say so long to Spike. He is leaving for Hawaii Saturday and I fly out on Monday. Again, the good thing about cruising is the friends you make, the bad thing is the goodbye's to those friends.

April 4 is the Liberation Day celebration in Aur atoll. It is the day the Americans liberated the Marshallese there from the Japanese during WWII. It seems like 6 boats are going up for the event. The American Ambassador was invited and almost went too, but reliable transportation is just not available for their time frame. There is no real scheduled inter-island transport. There is an airline, but with 27 islands and only 2 older planes, they have canceled flights regularly and they often skip a stop if they don't have at least 2 passengers for that stop. (They do tell you before you would have departed though.) But that leads to you can go, but may not be able to come back anywhere near the time you plan, as much as several months go by without flights.

I really wish I could go, it was so nice last year and we have a number of friends there. Maybe when we get back from the visit.