Guy's New Business

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

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.

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 in the rain. Met people and staying a few days.

Started Cruising Again

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

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

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

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

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

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

My cousin Gary and a friend are swinging tools near Reno in a new venture,
Reno Home Improvement LLC And 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

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."

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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