HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
We enjoyed a great cruisers potluck at Robert and Carmen's - the 'Crow's Nest'. The view from the ridge up there can't be beat. Another afternoon there was music by Brenda & Gene, (Queen Mary), along with Sonny (Valentina) on harmonica. Queen Mary has been cruising for many years....their CSY holds the keyboard, guitar and amps just fine. Why do I feel so cramped with what I have aboard? The anchorage is peaceful and the company is great. I can see why some boats stay awhile! I've been trying to add pictures to the albums while I have internet. 
How can something so cute be such a loudmouth? Lola is aboard the boat next to us with her family....Mom, Dad, and a 1yr. old. She does more barking than any other dog here....more so when her family is off the boat. The boat on the other side of us is getting a total refit....work is going on down below all the time....the workers are very pleasant.
Even though it was a Sunday...we had a good time. I felt right at home with '3 guys'....but how do you figure they're all bald? They all happen to be single handers: Kirk from Virginia, Paul from Australia, and Keith from St. Louis. Our first stop was on the wall surrounding Old Town, a bar/restaurant named Cafe del Mar. We followed that up with two more bar/discos. They played very loud electronic music, 'mix?' and there was dancing off all kinds. I can't remember the last time I came home at 3am!
Our chain and 3 anchors we sent out for re-galvanizing are now back in their proper places aboard. The galvanizing looks good-we marked the 412' of 3/8 G4 HT chain with wire ties every 25ft, alternating black and white, double and single. Tutti, one of the expert woodworker's here at Club Nautico, took both forward dorade boxes off to put new dividers in, a new teak top on one box and rebed both boxes. We haven't had them off in the 10+yrs. we've owned Infini. Jorge helped us hand wash & wax the boat....sure wish it would look good like this forever! We've had to get our bottom scrubbed every 2 wks. to keep the barnacle growth under control. The through holes and propeller need special attention. When we leave here the first part of Oct. we'll stop in the Rosario Is. to check the bottom ourselves....we really don't want to go in the water here!
We woke up in the night with a burning smell-like an electrical fire. We investigated; turned our shore power off and took our window a/c unit out of the hatch, thinking that was suspect....smell seemed to be coming from there. (It was---air inflow). We didn't notice any strong smell on deck, only below. When I left for my 7am yoga class, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Coming back, a boat only 2 slips away had been found to be burning on the inside. The owner (a pilot) left for 3mo., but left a few fans on down below. Apparently the one in the V-berth malfunctioned, and started a fire. Smoke was billowing out when a marina worker went by. Fast action by the marina workers prevented the fire from getting out of hand. Michael made a 'security' announcement on the VHF net to let other boats know. The Valiant 40 is a real mess, thank goodness the gas tanks on deck or the scuba tanks weren't involved!!!! What a nighmare for the owner to come back to. A lesson there---when storing your boat, leave it 'electrically quiet'.
Your tax dollars at work. The Coast Guard was here in Cartagena for a few days. Columbia is a much safer tourist destination than even a few years ago. As always, you have to be street smart and do your research as to the local situation.
