A full day in Golfito - P's views

It's the wee hours of the morning (5:00 am to be exact) and life begins to stir in one of the berths. Pocket change has slipped out of shorts casually tossed into the corner of the bunk. During the night the coins begin their migration throughout the sheets. By morning Byron emerges with several colones (local currency) adhered to various parts of his body. He peels them off and the depressions left behind make him look as if he has engaged in a wrestling match with an octopus.

He makes his way to the deck, lap top in hand for a little internet action. Getting internet is always a challenge. Sometimes it requires moving around the boat and perching in strange places for the clearest access point. Byron sets up his antenna on the back of a deck chair. He then props the lap top on a sky light and sits across from it plucking away at the keys. It's a reoccurring event every morning, noon, and night.

An hour later I join Byron on deck. My notebook and pen is poised ready to scribble out my email notes until I am able to break in and get some computer time. As I try to concoct the next email ramblings, I am distracted by the local traffic. It seems I've become the designated greeter by default. I execute the princess wave with precision as a constant flow of boats cruise by. On the rare occasion that someone responds verbally a rather questionable game of charades begins. I'm always left with serious doubts as to whether my meaning was interpreted correctly. However, the other party usually leaves smiling, even if not with any comprehension (Loco Gringa!)

From here on the day can take many directions. We could work on the boat . . . but lets not dwell on the negative. Thankfully, another alternative has presented itself; A bay tour in the dingy! The sun is just starting to heat things up. We climb into our ride. As we sit on the side of the baking pontoon, our searing backsides become one with the dingy. We patiently wait until the engine turns over. Then we are off, ripping through the waves with the wind streaming across our faces... relief at last!

The view of homes and buildings from the water side is much more exposed and you get a clearer view of their construction. For a change it makes one REALLY appreciate some of the building codes of the US. We make our way between fishing boats and find they are not much better. On closer inspection, we wonder how some of them can still be afloat, while others list seriously to one side.

While the dinghy putters along shore I see small streams of bubbles rise from the depths all around us and wonder what critters are hiding just out of view. As I ponder this point, I look up in the nick of time to avoid having a butterfly plastered to my sunglasses. I ducked right, it went left and catastrophe was averted. If you're not careful it can be a place fraught with danger . . . no-see-um bug bites, falling bird poo, gnats up your nose while snoozing on deck, butterflies like bug splat across your person. One has to be on the alert at all times!

We make it to the other side of the bay without further mishap. This side is nothing but jungle with a few homes interspersed hear and there. Decidedly, we liked the lush, unspoiled look of this part of the bay. The mountains are thick with amazingly tall trees and flowering vines, covering like a canopy. My favorite spot is the small island in the bay where a family has beached their panga and is having an afternoon picnic. By the end of the tour we realize it's a place of visual contrast, man vs nature. Nature has our vote!

Upon our return the rest of the day is filled with even more possibilities. Lunch. Will the cook perform wonders in the galley or will she mutiny and send all ashore to dine at the marina? Should a person attempt a siesta below deck (stuffy), or on deck with gnat repellent? At happy hour the question is whether to have rum, or how much rum? Sunset appreciation, no contest, all are in attendance. The BBQ dinner choices, fish . . . fish . . . or more fish! Oh and what movie are we watching tonight, Master and Commander or Captain Ron. No Perfect Storm on this ship. Finally, to internet or sleep.

Gentle Zzzzzzzz's drift through the open skylight from below. A lone figure sporting a headlight again sits alone on deck late night plucking away at his laptop. The night time bay sounds echo in the background. The A/C coolant water constantly dumping from the 68 ft Nordhaven next slip over is like our very own expensive babbling zen fountain. Another day has come full circle.

It's just another day in Golfito.