SpringDay: A new golfista in Barra de Navidad

Marina life is ahead for the next five days, for Skipper it's like staying home for homework. His mind reconvenes with repairs, tweaks and updates, now it's the generator. The decision is made, the 8kw generator will be replaced by a 12kw to emulate dock power. Skipper wants more power. A call is already made to North Carolina for surgery, SpringDay will receive a new muscle. And we are talking June for this surgery, I cannot plan more than a few hours at a time but his brain never stops...

I don't have much to say about this place for some reason and my pictures don't do it justice but the Grand Bay Hotel is a beautiful complex with spectacular views and very friendly staff. During our stay, a fishing tournament attracted big crowds with a show of beautiful large marlins and sail fish that this area is known for. A day of golfing, a few dinners in town and we are ready to move on.
January 30th we will be in Manzanillo, about a three hour trip. It is official Nordhavn 55 Insignia (again our prior boat) has made the decision to follow us to the Panama Canal. The more the merrier.

Skipper did make time to try golfing again after fifteen or twenty years but this time it was very different. Ana Mae Skipper whose career was to develop and run golf courses in Oregon happily gives Don a few lessons. Mark my friend, you would have been proud, Skipper showed interest, patience and dedication...but game integrity, not so much! A lot of cheating went on or else an 18 hole would have felt more like 36!

Golf Course Isla Navidad

Yancy, our caddy tells me about these majestic trees that grow together under one canopy, I believe he called them Salala trees. Then I tell Yancy that we grow pear, cherry and apple trees, he said: "Oh I watch Discovery and pears are good for stomach and cherries very good for the brain..." He smiles very big... " I always start my day with carrot apple and beet juice", and I love my job, 25 years on the golf course"he continues. I loved watching his personality, I loved his playfulness toward Skipper, his funny spanish cheers after Skipper successfully follows through with his instructions. He was the highlight of my day.

It felt uncomfortable to look at these beautiful fish hanging in the public place and dragged to the filleting pit. People taking pictures of their eyes. It had to be uncomfortable for SpingDay as well to see her sea companions being treated that way, but I know and I get it, it is food and the local residents were pleased. Nothing was lost, a couple moves in on the carcass and armed with spoons scrape the precious flesh for a family feast later.

A last minute maintenance chore in the guest head with a helping hand from Pilot Steve playfully executed.
Skipper asked Pilot Steve to lower his head so he could put the cover back on! Worse yet Skipper pretends to urinate on his buddy.
Boys will be boys....even at 65 yrs old.