Dec 3-12

Dec 3 2000hrs
From Dolphin bay.
We came here this morning just to pass through on our way back to anchor by town. But we were invited to dinner on Meow, a sailing cat, anchored out here, that was anchored next to us in town a couple of weeks ago. We’re not on a schedule, and in no hurry to get back, so we decided to stay out here for the day and over night tonight and head back in tomorrow.
This is another beautiful location. I’ve only seen one dolphin so far, but the water, the mangroves and the surrounding mountains are stunning. We went to BEN (Bocas Emergency Network, part of the VHF net here in Bocas) 63’s house this afternoon. We met them at  Rana Azul yesterday and they’d invited us to stop by. A very nice family from the UK that winter down here. It’s just on the other side of the mangroves and an easy dinghy ride from where we are currently anchored.
In the morning, Gino and Mel from Meow will be coming over for coffee and orange pinwheels. Then we’ll be heading back up to the anchorage off Bocas (probably).

Dec 12 1030hrs
Wow, I haven’t written anything in over a week. Gotta catch up.
It’s been a good week (for the most part). Lot of sun. Almost no rain. More good socializing. A swap meet (we sold a couple of things-less stuff, more money, woo hoo). The not-so-good part was the R/O springing another O-ring leak. We’d gotten complacent about checking on it very often because it’s been doing so well for quite a while. So we didn’t catch it right away. This was a bad one, filling the tool drawers with salt water, so we had to remove, clean and reorganize all of our large supply of tools before dealing with the water maker, which has now been moved to the engine room so when it leaks again it will go to the bilge and not ruin anything. It’s good to have that job done.
In the socializing category; We went to a BBQ at BEN 7’s house last Thursday. It was an interesting group of people, good conversation, good food and fun to get to know more of the community. We’ve spent more time with Don and Rita, and we have plans to go on a road trip with them this weekend. And today we’re going to a B-day party for Moe of BEN 63.
The only snorkeling I’ve been doing is in the mangroves right by the anchorage but there’s a little coral and some pretty fish here and I saw a small spotted eagle ray the last time I was in. Also, the mangrove roots are interesting to look at under the water and they house many very small fish.

I’ll try to stay on top of  writing about the trip this weekend and keeping more up to date…