the rest iguana

he is called the Jesis lizard because he virtually walks on water

this restaurant has a train in the center of it

orange-chinned parrakeets

Groove-billed Ani

this is bamboo which is not native to the area but planted so that it could be used at a later time for its strength but after the banana plantations were gone it was no longer needed so the jungle took it back and now this area especially the base is deadly to all animals and humans as it the breeding ground for scorpions, spiders and the feared Fer Du Lance snake (you die within hours of being bitten)

Due to the climate here everything grows BIG, and it is dense step off the trail here and you would be lost for days on end

El Avion Restaurant

There are probably about 50 of these guys and they come out of the jungle in packs-they climb on the trees above your head and swing on the branches all around you, no need to go see horror films about animals attacking after this, it is quite amazing and LOUD

the Bodacious and the Frayed Knots

slowride

3 towed sloth sleeping in a tree about 60 feet above the ground

Hermie

the beaches are full of crabs, some hermit crabs like Hermie here and others that have many colors the most common is the orange with either blue or purple on them, and they number into the hundreds

Iguana

Isn't he a cutie?? the animals are rather confident here they don't seem to run from humans could be their size factor...

1 of 3 beaches at MANP

Henry our guide at Manuel Antonio National Park

Costa Rica

We arrived in Costa Rica after a heck of a 24 hours-so much for those clear window weather reports! At least 8 of those hours I thought we were gonna die. We had confused seas( waves that hit from more than one area at a time ours were on the front and the sides) and whipping winds of at least 30 mph, nothing in the main cabin was safe, including the sofa that I was sitting on, as I slid 4 ft across the floor. I told Paul that if the rest of the way is like this TURN HER AROUND NOW. which lucky for us we have only had 1 more patch of bad stuff like that since. We arrived in Cocos which is a main port of entry for CR, I heard so many people who rave about CR and yet here is the dirtiest place I have seen since the ghettos of inner city New York, or maybe Phila., it was awful there is a lot of crime and you really don't feel safe walking the streets. The paperwork cha-cha as it fondly referred to what a hassle and a half-the officials were extremely nice though. We stayed 1 day and headed out-we stopped in a couple of bays-but really found nothing, except pretty beaches-nothing to go a shore for though. We met up with our friends Lynne & Paul on the Beaudacious a 47' sailing vessel and started traveling with them. At Los Suenos we found some life, wonderful restaurants Wahoo!! no more cooking for a day or so. We wanted to get a slip at the marina but a $220 tab for 1 night was outrageous and a no way so we fueled and headed out on our way again. Stopping at Quepos for a few days we took the bus ride up to Manuel Antonio National Park-WOW what a place we hire a guide at $20 a head and it was so worth every penny. We would be walking along and he would stop, set up his telescope and point out animals, birds, and reptiles that we never could have seen in a million years. The park has quite a few monkeys which if you are not careful will steal your food or open you backpack and raid it. We spent about 4-5 hours with Henry and had a blast! We stopped at the little restaurant, for a drink, outside the park and a hugemongeous iguana came walking in-so the lady who owns it starts tossing him pieces of bread then the really huge iguana came out-way over my limit for reptiles but cute none the less. You would love him Johnny! on the way back we hopped off the bus early and went to eat at a restaurant which is a plane and the rest is built around it (see upcoming pics) it is really cool and sits off the side of the mtn so you are over looking the bay below. We continued on to Golfito, which used to be the main shipping/processing port for the United Fruit Company until it's demise in the mid 1900s. Thats were dole and chiquita got most of their bananas. Now it is a little port where the US Coast Guard still has a presence and a lot of sport fishing happens. We stayed at the Banana Bay Marina, which has a nice little rest. and a hot tub! There is not much tourism here-so shopping is for necessities only but the people are really nice. by this time our friends Irene and Georgio from the sail boat ARGO had joined us, we 3 ladies went shopping to provision for the upcoming sail to Panama and the local market Piersons actually loaded all our bags into their delivery van and took us back to the marina. A first for us but nice since we would have been taxi hailing otherwise. Our last night in Golfito we went over to the Fish Hook Marina and had an elaberate dinner with all 6 of us-Great place and they have ice cream YEAHHHH you would be surprised at to what you miss from the states and what we take for granite. most places do not have a freezer that can keep ice cream so when you find some youbetter get it then because you may not see it for quite some time again. Well were off for Panama next-'til then

This is a family in a real dug out canoe, they paddle with great speed and are extremely steady, one lady comes in by herself and gets all her water jugs filled amazing

estuary

you find these buildings all along the estuary in El Salvador, usually there is a house behind this, not so in this case, but usually the owner has their boat tied up to it

El Salvador

So Sorry, I sort of dropped off the earth for a little while, actually I joined Paul again flying into San Salvador, El Salvador while Jake flew home to be with Zailey. I probably need to catch all of you up again, since I flew in on March 28th and it is now May 19th, just a few days have gone by...Paul was at the Bahia Del Sol Marina, in Costa Del Sol, El Salvador-great place they only have slips for a few boats but their service is wonderful. There is a fantastic restaurant and they have my favorites "Frozens" these are fruit drinks, slushes if you will but being as we are in Central America it is all fresh fruit just mixed with ice and when that sun is beating down on you these are a fantastic way to cool off! of course you could also go sit in the large pool they have or go across the street to the beach, which we did on Sat morning and we joined the overbearing crowd of people there all 7 of them we had the whole thing to ourselves! Everyone hears bad things about El Salvador, even other cruisers are afraid to go there "They carry guns" is what we hear the most Yes they do big big machine guns to be exact but the best part is those are there for the peoples protection including me. The crime rate is nill, if I as outside of the hotel/marina there are private gaurds at every home all I have to do is scream and they come running so I actaully feel pretty darn safe. We wanted to rent a car so we could go up into the mtns and see some of the Mayan ruins-we called Freddie who is a pilot captain and anything else you might need to get down while here, (rental car agent included). Freddie picked us up with about 4 guys in the back of his pick-up, I was the lucky one who got to ride in front Paul rode in the bed with the others. We head down the road and stop in front of what looks to be an old tienda (store), the guys all pile out and this little old couple is peeking out of the door at us, come to find out this is one of the guys home and these are his parents. So the elderly gentleman comes out with a fire engine red plastic chair so that I can sit while we are waiting for the guy with the car, after sitting for about 20 mins. I see the local police truck coming down the road, this is looking so much like a drug deal and all I can picture is all of us especially the 2 dumb gringos going to jail! Freddie just turns and waves, they wave back and continue on down the street I was estatic. After another 15 mins of waiting and 10 calls later we find that the car guy is not coming but lo and behold don't worry Freddie has another friend with a car to rent. We load up again and head back towards the marina pulling into a poperesa (type of restaurant) and see one of the local fishing boat captains we know, it's his wife's restaurant. Paul buys the boys a round of beer and they go to look at the rental vehicle which has a $500.00 deposit plus $150.00 charges plus gas. He comes back shaking his head obviously not good, he tells Freddie no way, the rental is a van that is about 30 yrs old, most likely won't even make it up the hills and isn't even worth the original $500.! now the boat captain says he will take up but it will be $360.00 plus fuel, we opted to scratch the plan for the time being and head on down the coast.

Cuisers

Before I go any further with Z-town (jake's nickname for it) I want to tell you all about our other family. I really had no idea what this would be like and Paul has continually told me that it is like an RV park except its on the water and he right. As a child my Grandparents kept a camping trailer at the same campground for years Lake-in-the-Woods in Pennsylvania. All their long-time friends did the same, the women would get together and they'd all share in big meals, the men would sit at the fire and talk forever, this is the same without the fire of course. Most everyone in the anchorage is from up North whether it be the States or Canada, and they are your neighbors, you see them everyday, join them in activities and become incredibly fast but good friends. Every morning you wake up to listen to the "Cruisers Net" first there is the Baja Net which has the weather from Don up in CA which is ever so important, then you have your local net which all this is coming over your radio. There is a controller usually a volunteer within the fleet. The net is great, every boat checks in each day, and notifies the net when you are leaving that port and where you are going to next, so if by chance you have a problem the rest of the world can find your last known location. The controller will ask if there are any lost and found items, we lost a handheld vhf radio and dinghy anchor in Tenacatita and broad-casted for their return if anyone saw them floating by-unfortunately the old man of the sea added those two items to his personal collection. They also have "treasures of the bilge". We needed wheels for our dinghy and lucky for us another cruiser "Enchantress" had a set, which worked perfect for us. In Mexico you only trade you don't sell, the expression is "trade for coconuts" Also on the local net is where you can find medical and shopping information along with daily activities, such as volleyball, dinner in town, etc. My first day back I actually woke up expecting to listen to radio for the happenings, and was very disappointed that until I return to the boat I would have to settle for the local news here in Phoenix, rather depressing. Cruisers are an amazing group, lending services and help to those around them in Port and to the towns that so graciously let them invade their bays and enjoy their beautiful sandy beaches.

Ixtapa/Z-What

After Leaving Barre Navidad we traveled on and stopped in a little village that had such a rolly anchorage that we gave up and pulled anchor within 30 mins and I got my first overnighter experience. We traveled onto Zhuatenejo and what a place that is! We arrived in time for Sail Fest Week, which if you are going to Z-what then that is the time to visit. Rick's Bar owned by Canadian Rick and his wife have to go to spot in town, they also host a good portion of the events for sail-fest. Sail-fest raises money for the school which teaches the Indian children from the mountain villages to speak Spanish along with their own dialect so that they may attend the public schools in Mexico (all children who attend school must speak Spanish in order to be enrolled). We signed up the boat for the Sail Parade to take on 6 passengers and what a hoot that was. We ended up with 5 Canadian guests, who have attended sail-fest in the past and they were wonderful. Paul even allowed Jimmy to drive the boat! Once your passengers are loaded by dinghy then you head of the bay and wait for the line to form which since there are about 40-50 boats involved this can take a little while. As soon as we are lined-up we make the trip back into the bay and then back up to Ixtapa and through their bay. The Port Captain places his boat at the end of the bay and signals off to you and you are on your way for a free sail. The Port Captain is a remarkable man he is credited with 400 lives saved and 1 dog alone. The most in the world!

it looks as if a great time was had by all!!

I will continue again tomorrow with more updates!!

Steve and the wine

Friends

Laury from Pacific Wind. Paul and Jake became friends with Laury & Steve from the sailing vessel Pacific Wind, so for Christmas the two boats came together and between them combining their stores they were able to make a nice Christmas Dinner of bbq steaks with ceasar salad, brownies and chilchilean wine.

Isla Isabela

This is a picture from Isla Isabela which is a National Ecological Preserve and has been for the last 20 yrs. There is a large Frigate shelter and observation post so that volunteers can protect this nesting ground. Reminds Paul of Jurasaic Park as the Frigate circling above give the appearance of Teridactils flying overhead! There were hundreds of humpback whales all through out the bay. They were jumping out of the water and even saw one that came up under a school of fish with mouth open and just swallowed them all up. Some of these were extremely close to the sailboats and things were a rockin!

Hola

So Sorry, I know everyone is wondering what is going on...The boys have made major progress but lets step back to where I left off and catch you all up to date with the correct time line! The guys left Le Paz and headed for Mazatlan . After refueling and re-stocking, Paul & Jake hhailed a taxi and headed out to hit the top-less bars apparently most gringos do not show up in these kind of places as they were the only non-nationals there!!! Jake was reminded of the need to drink within reason after a massive hang-over... Paul checked on housing prices while there and it is 3-times as much as AZ and it is standard mexican construction!
Next Stop San Blas I am very sorry I missed this part of the trip as they did a river/jungle criuse and we able to see tons of birds. Jake made a new friend in a cuatamonda (sp??) and he was having a wonderful time petting a croc. The trip has a tour guide (the boat driver) who had a hand recorded list of all the birds in both their Mexican name and their American names They also met Jan and Norm Goldie who have resided there for 43 years and absolutley love it! Jan is a watercolor artist of great magnitude and Norm is an official cruiser greeter. So when arriving into port most likely the first person you will meet will be Norm as he will get you into the anchorage and then you get to meet him at the town square around 6pm. Wonderful people, Jake and Paul had dinner with them, Jan had arranged a small dinner party out front of her house, a local lady who does catering from her house prepared a feast of chile relanjnos, beans and red soup that was outstanding!!Norm had brought some 100% proof rum that is known for blinding people! I wish this lady was in the US as the entire meal for 6 was $40 the relanjos took 24 hours to make. I am sure that the guys will be sure to stop into the next time they are in San Blas. In the evening everyone meets in the town square to socialize until 10 pm. It is the typical Mexican townsquare the Catholic Church on 1 corner, a Thrifty ice cream store on another and a taco stand that is primo. I t is very common for the nationals to ask to get their pictures taken with Americans especially cute blond haired white boys So Sorry about your luck Paul!!!