We are still here in Isla San Andres. The gearbox has arrived from the States (via a ship from Miami) but we are now waiting on an engine mount to be couriered in (via DHL and plane). We are hoping it will be here by early next week then it can be fitted, the gearbox installed and then all we have to wait for is the weather to continue our journey north.  There has been an issue with Foley Engines, the company we purchased the reconditioned gearbox from. They have a returns procedure which required us to pay an extra US$1000, which is refunded when the old gearbox is returned to them, but only if it is a condition they deem to be acceptable, that the paperwork is included and it is returned within 30 days of the invoice date. This may all be fine & good if you happen to be in the USA but we didn’t receive the gearbox until 2.5 weeks after the invoice date and were not going to be able to get it back within the required 30 days. John sent an email and when this was not answered he rang ‘Dr Diesel’, who was extremely rude on the phone, would not answer his questions and told John he was being counter productive by sending emails and ringing. John let him know just how he felt and hung up. This person was the rudest most obnoxious dropkick we have ever had the misfortune to deal with.  We then did a Google search on this company and were astounded but not too surprised by the volume of complaints about this ‘Dr Diesel’ and his arrogant and rude way of speaking to and helping his customers. Mind you all of these are not customers any more. For any other cruisers who may be thinking of using ‘Foley Engines’ now or in the future, we would suggest you find somewhere else to do business. We will keep the gearbox and have it reconditioned sometime in the future by anyone other than Foley Engines.

It rained last night, not much but enough to collect 20 litres of water and give the boat a bit of a washdown, although that was negated a bit this morning by a jet ski rider who decided to amuse himself by seeing how close he could go to the 3 yachts in the anchorage. Eventually he responded to John’s (polite) hand signals from deck that let him know we didn’t appreciate salt water being sprayed all over our boat and he left the area. 

We continue to meet other cruisers as boats come and go. A group of us went to dinner at ‘Marguerita & Cabonara’ last Saturday Night (Pizza & red wine) and again many nationalities were represented. Janz & Daniella – S/V Arwen (Germany), Laurence (USA) & Adriana (Columbia) – S/V ?, Bill & Mary – S/V Orion (USA) and Michael, Robyn, Jackson & Drew – M/V Doubloon (USA). Good pizza, good company. We spent a lovely evening and best steak meal we have had since leaving Australia on ‘Doubloon’ last Sunday night. Doubloon is a 50’ timber 1970 Grand Banks that Michael & Robyn bought in Seattle almost 12 months ago and are on their way home to New Orleans where they will continue to renovate this gorgeous boat.

Yesterday we rented a mule with Janz & Dani and took another loop around the island. It cost 130,000 pesos with fuel so that worked out to 65,000 pesos (approx AU$37) per couple. We were accompanied by Roland (Swiss) & Joselyn (French) from S/V Croix De Sud (Southern Cross) who rented another smaller mule. We visited an art/craft shop called Baz Arte in San Luis (nice) and had a takeaway ‘breakfast’ from a roadway stall consisting of a flakey pastry with ham & cheese filling and a battered sausage on a stick (nicer than the ‘Pluto Pups’ you used to get at the local show). Roland & Joselyn had been told about a new hotel/villa so we all visited the ‘Hotel Buddhavilla’, just off the main road to the north of Cove Bay. This is a Balinese themed boutique hotel and just gorgeous. We then went snorkeling at ‘West View’, which was well worth the 3000 pesos entry fee. The water was between 5m and 10m deep, clear and had the most fish we have seen on this island. They also have ‘Aqua Helmets’ which are bell type helmets that have air pumped into them via lines from the surface. There were 3 people who went down with these on whilst we were snorkeling above them. They appeared to be having a good time, feeding the fish and dancing under water while having it videoed by a guide in scuba gear. There was a statue of Neptune on the bottom, so John dived down and had a talk to him. The variety of fish was a little more varied than we had seen on the other side of the island although there was not much coral. John did see a black and gold flecked eel under a ledge. There was also a water slide into the water, which was fun (I was the only one who ventured down it). Having worked up an appetite we had lunch at ‘El Rincon de La Langosta’ situated on the limestone shoreline of the western side of the island. The food was very good although priced for the tourists. We arrived back into town round 4.00pm and headed straight to the Caribbean Ice Cream shop. It’s always interesting ordering by sight alone and hoping that what looks like caramel or toffee is what you get.

  My Panama orchid is flowering again. It hangs under the solar panel arch at the stern of the boat

 Kite surfing is fairly big in Isla San Andres and they will pass fairly close to our boat

 This guy put on quite a show. Just following this he angled around and jumped the dinghy that was tied up behind the boat anchored next to us. There was 17 knots of wind and he was having a ball.

 Happy hour on M/V Mar Azul. Lt to Rt - John, Rene, Elaine, Danny, Janz and Bob

 The moon at sunset

 We still don't know what caused this fire behind the main shipping dock, but it didn't look good.

 We noticed this launcha half sunken on the sandbar behind us one morning. Not sure what caused it. They had 4 young tourists on board and 4 local guys (?crew).

 The coast guard to the rescue (silver laucha with red & yellow stripe). They tied the sunk boat to the side of the Coast Guard boat and towed them ashore.

 They also called the Ambulance (launch with the red cross flags flying from bow and stern). No-one was hurt as they left the scene soon after arriving.

 This speckled ray circled the boat then came close to the boat, on the surface and i am sure he/she was checking me out as i took photos over the rail.

 

 Beautiful creatures.

 Kawasaki mule with Jens driving (something about Aussies driving on the wrong side of the road), John and Danny in the back.

 The lounge area in the Hotel Buddhavilla

 Snorkeling at West View. Fish were more plentiful and the water was a clear aqua

 2 girls dancing with the Aqua Helmets on whilst the tour guide takes the video.

 John having a chat with Neptune 

 This beats sitting on the boat waiting for boat parts

 Sure does

 Lunch at El Rincon De La Langosta. Lt to Rt - Roland, Janz, John, Danny & Joselyn.