We began the month of August at Mario's Marina, with the water receding, and power back on at the docks. So, now we can have air conditioning on the boat when we need it and not run generators and engines. We are very thankful!
We have been working on projects aboard, Kay has attempted to
varnish some, in between the rain. Sonny has been doing some
routine maintenance, and it is not always a pretty site,
what we need is always at the very back of the quarter berth (our garage),
He has been cleaning filters, repairing the head (he still has to do some
plumbing sometimes), had the motor to the dinghy lift
repaired, checking on rubber material to replace in the portholes and hatches, have the
green UV material in our jib sail re-sewn from our last storm, and
getting screens for the hatches and companionway made.
We had Ronnie, of Rio Dulce Canvas, make us a cover for
our dinghy. We also gave him the material, and he made a bridge
between our two awnings we previously made.
He was impressive. The piece he was making went around 9 different holes, in the standing rigging and mast, and would then join forward and back awnings. He first came to the boat and scribbled some notes on paper, then, he came back with the completed piece. It would have taken me a long time! And, he charged us 450Q or $60 US. Our deck is now totally covered, so we can leave the hatches open, and, hopefully, not get rain down below and a nice haven from the sun. It keeps the cabin at least 10 degrees cooler. Nice, nice!
The marina has
activities almost every day. Some of the weekly activities are potluck
dinner, movie night, karaoke night, Survivor Panama night, a Texas Hold 'em
tournament, Mexican train dominoes, and the local cruisers have created a
group "Sweet River Band" and play on Saturday nights. There is also a
swap meet every Saturday morning at our marina and Tuesday and Thursdays are
the local clinic where you can volunteer. So, if you want, there
is a lot to do. We try to get together at least one night a week
to play farkle with our buddy boats. Thane and Tami, "Heart of Gold"
have organized and planned a lot of activities and do a very good job.
It help makes our time here on the river more fun.
Sonny played and sang a few songs last week with the band.
It is the time that Glendy, everyone's favorite young lady on the river, is getting married.
In case you do not recognize us, Mike and Karyn (S/V Suenos), Any (S/V Deux Pieds) and Kay and Sonny
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It is an ordeal on a boat to round up "dress clothes" |
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It was very hot for the "Gringos" at the wedding, so Teri (S/V Ishi) made us all fans. |
Glendy is the manager of the restaurant at our marina, so everyone is close to her and wishes her the best. Our friend, Pat (S/V Sojourner) wanted to take her back to OK to meet her single son.
Glendy is a sweetheart.
Everyone is watching
and waiting her
grand entrance.
Such a simple, beautiful wedding.
Decorations were made from a Styrofoam bowl with cut-out paper hearts hanging underneath..
Each attendant held an arch made from a white painted stick with crepe paper tied in a bow.
The front entrance was adorn with palm leaves.
The little ones are coming.
On their entrance, they would take three steps forward to the bridal march and one step back, all the way down the aisle.
The beautiful bride, Glendy
and
her new husband
Antonio
8/8/06
Sonny has been wanting to go back to the hot water falls at Finca El Paraíso. We had been before, but the water was too rough from the flooding in the river to enjoy it. So, we hopped in the dinghy and headed to town (Fronteras) to board a "Chicken Bus" to go to the hot water falls.
The chicken bus was an old dilapidated Greyhound bus. Did I say "old"?
Tami and Thane of S/V Heart of Gold have this song on their website about the chicken bus. Click here to listen.
Sonny was talking (in Spanish) to a local beside him on the bus, and they looked over the seat in front of them, and the Mayan lady had a white chicken with feathers in a plastic tote bag in the seat. Sonny motioned to the local that it looked "dead". The local confirmed also. That must be why it is called a "Chicken Bus".
We started out pretty good, until the first hill. The driver kept shifting down to another gear. And, another gear.....but, we finally made it to the top. A time or two..........we came to a complete stop.
After we had traveled about 30 minutes, we were in the middle of some banana plantations and cattle farms on each side, when the bus came to an abrupt stop.
.
Ahead of us was about 50 head of cattle, with several vaquero's on horses, guiding the cattle down the middle of the road.
While we were stopped, the bus driver got out and changed a flat tire.
I thought these kinds of things only happened in Texas.
We are at the top of the falls, in the hot water pools.
It was nice, nice, nice.
It is like getting a massage in the steaming hot water.
From here, the water fall drops 36 feet into a cool water pool. You can swim in the pool or go up on top to some more hot water pools.
Yes,
it really is
this
beautiful
and
more.
August Logs continue with our Guatemala August Road Trip