Rio Dulce, Guatemala, December 17.

The deal was done this morning. I have a new home to replace “Fleetwood III”, which is up for sale in Amsterdam  https://cometosea.us/?page_id=7922  The particulars and pictures of the new boat can be found in the advertisement: https://www.boats.com/sailing-boats/1986-elan-boats-31-9609788/   

I spent many hours poring over the ads for a replacement on the Pacific and Atlantic coast as well in Europe. Rio Dulce is not very accessible to the average hull kickers and the sellers had the same advantage by purchasing their larger replacement at a lower price than elsewhere. She is not a Spring chicken, but, just like myself, well maintained and well equipped. This boat has an Icom SSB radio and a Pactor modem, just like I had on “Fleetwood I”, if I can recall the complicated procedures, I would be able to update my blogs, text only, from anywhere again and send and receive e-mails. The sellers, are Staša and Bostjan Paradiž, a Slovenian couple. Bostjan grew up with the boat he took over from his father. They already have an  impressive blue water distance on the boat but decided to get a larger boat for the rest of their circumnavigation.

This is la lifechanging experience to go from wood to polyester. I carry a set of identical decals of my previous two “Fleetwoods”. But that might be dishonest and a bad ommen. I’m considering “WreckJack”. Any other suggestions? Since most marine insurers have the fear of God for the American ambulance chasers, I will most likely change the Slovenian ensign to a more convenient flag. Poland has been suggested. I’m keeping the decals, just in case I find a proper wooden boat on the east side of the Atlantic. My new boat will be easier to sell in Europe where this model is better known and it is set up for 220 volt AC.

My plans from here are still in the planning stage. I’d love to head north to the spot I have had on my wish list for a long time to visit Cartagena and do some bus travel further south. But I will most likely head for the Chesapeake. I still have not been able to penetrate the fortified access to the Microsoft monopoly to recover my e-mail address and content. I did not manage to reach the lady who has that magic telephone number, I used to own, to obtain a passcode to access my account. And coordinating a way to use her to arrange an exchange is impossible from here.

Next, would be the beginning of an attempt to make that second circumnavigation in an easterly direction. With a stop in Holland to pick up items I have on “Fleetwood III” and find her a new home. And recover all or most of my expenses from the crooked seller of this boat in Holland.

Since my last blog of November 30, I left on Sunday last week from the North West and travelled by train to Sacramento, California and by air to Las Vegas. I made a stop in Eugene to visit my long time friend Evert Slijper and his wife Judy and to visit my youngest son Seth and his wife Carly in Roseburg, Oregon.

On Thursday 12 December, I had no clue where to go after my stay in Las Vegas on December 14. And where I would be for Christmas. Later that day I discovered the ad for my new senior floating independent living address. And a spot for my heavy backpack with winter and summer clothes I have been lugging through 8 airports, numerous train stations, a long bus ride and last on the water taxi and lanchas.

I was on my way to Rio Dulce on February 3^rd 2022, from Havana when I had my third shipwreck. I wanted to check it out for when I grow up. It sounds like a place I can afford on my social security and royalties and socialize with similar folks and get rid of my long underwear.

I ended up missing my flight out of Las Vegas on Saturday that connected with the flight from Houston to Belize City. The TSA (Transportation Security Agency) was terribly disorganized and sloppy. Over half of all the carry on baggage was double checked. My laptop went through the scanner three times and then all my stuff ended up on a different track and I finally discovered it for the third check. It took nearly one hour to get from the check in counter to the departure gate. So, my checked baggage went to Belize. But, thanks to United’s generosity, I had a free overnight and meal coupons in Houston. The short taxi ride from the Belize Airport to the bus cost more than the 9 ½ hour bus ride to Punta Gorda on the shores of the Rio Dulce delta. The bus was just ready to depart. My lucky Sunday, the next bus would have arrived near midnight instead of 21.30 My butt still hurts from the hard seat and bumpy roads and the fast ride on the water taxi and lanchas on the Rio Dulce. The 3 hour stop in Livingston, to clear into Guatemala, was an experience into a totally different world, I had become acquainted with on my sail south in 2017 to the Panama Canal. The diminutive Mayan Indians in their colorful wear, the noise, smell, good food and dismal poverty.

I had a very upsetting experience yesterday morning at the “Happy Iguana” marina and hotel after I concluded my purchase of the boat. The broker for the boat had made a reservation for me at the hotel for Monday night. I gasped when I found out that the room was going to cost me $117 for the night. The Texan owner wanted me to pay up front in either Pay Pal or Zelle, no VISA. So, I paid with Zelle. And since he appeared so suspicious of me, I e-mailed him a Screenshot of my bank’s confirmation. In the morning he came to the boat while I was inspecting it and told me that I had not paid and that I intended to defraud him by sending just the confirmation that only showed him being added to my payee address list. Which turned out to be correct and I had not fully finished the transaction. I still have a heck of a time working my cellphone for this. So, when I was done with the purchase and wanted to check on the payment, he had locked my access to the room and my laptop. And his Texan Buddy Guard came up to me and said: “Gary is nicer than me, if you don’t pay I’ll knock you in the water!” It was a very nice room with two double beds and a bunkbed. But the room I’m staying now, in town, for $38 has a table and chair and a TV and I do not need to use my headlamp to write this. The $117 room did not and had no storage. The place needs a more appropriate name instead of the Happy Iguana.

I’m excited about the new adventure of “Alone at Sea with God and Social Security” and grateful that I can afford to own two boats.

Wishing all a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year