Season End Note RAM Marina Rio Dulce Guatemala 15:39.373N 88:59.637W
Five Islands
John & Sue
Wed 8 Apr 2015 03:13
Thought i'd start this final blog entry for this cruising season with a sunset shot - Cayo Quemado We spent 5 days lazing around in Cayo Quemado before making our way up through the Golfete and into the Rio Dulce/Fronteras stretch of the river. This is also referred to as the Marina District. Not too many fishing pots to dodge this time and no floating logs etc to negotiate as was the case on our trip down the river. We were met at the dock by Byron and Friendi who helped us into our spot for the next 5 days where we were a bit protected from the bouncing and rocking as the holiday makers churn up the water with boats and jet ski's. It is Semana Santa (Easter) and one of the busiest times on the Rio Dulce. Many people take this time for holidays and come to the river to sight see and play. The playing for the rich means multi million dollar power yachts, jet ski's and jet boats used to pull tubes and wake boards and all need to visit the PUMA fuel dock at RAM Marina so that they can continue the fun. All in all lots activity and the associated rock and roll and loud music. Have i ever mentioned that the gauge by which you work out how much fun you are having in Central America is by how loud you play the music. Some of the music is enjoyable but i'm not too keen on the Latin American/Spanish Techno style. Local fisherman throwing a caste net. These guys do this for hours. They initially throw a clod of termite nest into the water which attracts the fish then caste the net. Young kid watching the fisherman but not watching where he is going. The bridge (in the background) is full with stalled traffic. Sight seers just pull up and get out of their cars to look and take photos. Local food vendors have set up stalls as well so it is mayhem. Most people are patient but occasionally horns start to go off and trying to get an Ambulance or Fire truck through is not an easy task. It's a good reason to stay out of town for a few days. The fisherman stands in a home carved cayuca with a paddle in one hand guiding the boat to a spot where he will throw the caste net. This type of balance comes with years of practice. Throwing the net and the boat doesn't even rock The net lands in the water in a wide even circle. I couldn't even do this while standing on solid earth. Semana Santa is the most religious time of the year here and entails processions, church services and the colour purple. This is the second time we have experienced these celebrations (mind you that wasn't in the original plan but here we are again). The Procession of the 13 Crosses happens on Good Friday where the local priest blesses 13 marinas around Fronteras and is accompanied by a flotilla of boats draped in purple with lots of purple shirts and flowers. Jesus bearing the cross leads the Procession and the Praying Mary follows. It is a spectacle and a special experience to have witnessed yet again. The Procession at Mar Marina across the bay. The military escort them (men with guns). Waiting on the RAM Fuel Dock for the procession to approach is from left to right: Maricela (owner), Karen (Manager), Thelma, one of the young guys that work on the fuel dock, Kimberley and Soily (Office). Jesus bearing the cross with the Priest and his retinue Mary follows. Note the corrugated iron sheeting used as the launcha's roof. RAM Marina's turn to be prt of the ceremony Young girl reads the prayer He couldn't quite see what was happening. All the shirts are the same. This tiny outboard motor was pushing a 30ft wooden launcha with at least 20 people in it. Needless to say it was hard to steer and very slow. Hauling Five Islands again and putting her to bed on the hard for 9 months is a bit sad but we are very excited to be going home for the birth of our first grand child, to see our family and to move back into our house after 7 years. Byron, our travel lift operator extraordinaire Now what could possibly go wrong. This is the method used to ensure the straps are placed around the hull so that they will not damage anything vital and are on or near the bulkheads (strong points). The travel lift operator is on the other side and relies on an off sider to relay the swimmers position and any instructions from below. Out she comes for another season A very clean bottom Put to bed until January 2016 Although this season has been short (5 months only) we have reached a couple of milestones. Firstly our 30 year anniversary and secondly over 10,000 Nm travelled. Wow, who'd have thought! Well off to bed so that we can be up at 0500am to catch the bus into Guatemala City then fly home via Dallas, LA, Brisbane then back to Rockhampton about 48hrs later. Oh the joys, and yes there are many. |