The Ones that did not get Away
Trip Start
Unknown
1
48
74
Trip End
Ongoing
Where I stayed
RAM Marina
What I did
Sweltered
Rio Dulce Guatemala, Izabal, Guatemala
Friday, May 20, 2011
Actually apart from a couple of rough patches (which you so easily forget once you get here) we had a great motor sail or motor most of the way.
We so enjoyed Buddy sailing with Dylan and his crew Renan and Mark.
Carrick was honorary Captain and proved he is a natural sailor, and fisherman extraordinaire to boot.
While the others were asleep I had a fantastic Dolphin escort maybe 30 at once all surrounding the boat. Calling out and Playing between the hulls and racing up the outside on either side, then crossiing over and under each other. It lasted for at least 15 minutes. Thye only left when I left to go back to the cockpit to check course etc.
We spent the sea passages chasing the sooo elusive Mahi Mahi and after a couple near misses we finally got a great one on the very last evening. I was about to wind in for the night when it hit. Right away we new it was big and a Mahi. Fantastic acrobatics and diving from one side of the boat to the other at great speed. Murry the Mahi somehow left his mark on the side of my chest in the fight on the steps of Windwalker.
Carrick also had a White Marlin on for all of 45 seconds!!!!. before it broke the 100lb line like it was 1lb. The other Mahi lasted 10 minutes before he did the best acrobatic sommersault right near the boat. he was at least 1 3rd bigger than the big one we caught too. Both Carrick and I were holding the rod and could only just hold him, the rod was bent in half with drag burning up a storm.
The barracuda was a good 3 feet long and had so many very nasty teeth that he had me a little concerned. So he got the alcohol treatment to calm him down, then the Maxwell Silver Hammer for good measure. Would you believe he still swam away when I finally retrieved my very favourite lure.
The trip into Livingston was a little intimidating as crossing the bar was supposed to be really shallow and a very narrow vaguely marked path to follow. But as it happened we timed it perfectly for 1 hour before high tide (just in case we ran aground) I always like to have an hour or so of incoming tide in these situations so you can get off as the tide rises, if you do run aground. Turned out not to be any problem and we anchored off Custom dock and
Cafe La Buga ( Could not resist that one) also customs municipal dock waited and waited and waited for the Capitan De Puerto Livingston to send in the troops to go over the boat.
And send in the troops they did EVENTUALLY. Five of them from all departments and they did not even look at anything hardly asked any questions and left within minutes, after enjoying a nice cold drink on us.
Anyway now we are snugged up in the RAM Marina in Rio Dulce Lake Izabel Guatemala. Lee-Anne and Carrick have departed already, to Shell Beach CA. Carrick will then fly out next day to OZ and back to work, not happy about that I suggest. he is so keen to get back here.
Lee-Anne will wait in Shell beach with Brad, Kathy & Skye till I get the boat prepared to leave for Hurricane season. I hope to get an old car and drive to El Salvador for a surf trip prior to leaving too.
The marina is friendly and cost of living sooo cheap. Great Rum and Beer hey even the food is cheap as if that counts lol. I have found happy hours from the cruisers net and they pick up at your boat for some of them. Just as well I have a bad track record for finding the boat after happy hour.
Pretty good internet so I should be able to Skype OK may be a bit sketchy but should work OK
Lee-Anne will update pics and story from Shell beach end too OK. She does have great internet OK.
Well as it is already about 90f @ 9am I may not get much done today. Expecting rain and thunder storms later too, at least that will help wash down the boat. I may take the soap and brush out when it happens. I guess i can work on preparing the list of jobs. yesterday was a big one finishing the washing and setting up sun shades did me in lol.
Just had to go help someone at the dock all sorted now. I really need to get my Spanish back up to speed fast here. At least i can sit by the PC around midday to 2pm and work on it, way too hot venture out then.
Comments
Love hearing all your adventures! Can't wait to see Lee-Ann and Carrick here on the Central Coast!
Enjoy your surf trip on the way to CA and safe journey...
Debxxx