Todays venture has Tom, Sara, Lisa, Mary and I riding in
style with Nique and Alex as our guides. The process of getting underway was a
symphony of actions, mostly effortlessly completed. Underway these two sailors complete the tasks of monitor and
adjust effortlessly – like they have practiced it for us. I am stuck by the
thought that they are making certain that everyone of us has a world class
experience. I wonder how I could afford a trip like this off the coast of Costa
Rica?
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| Mary and Lisa brave the sun and waves on the forward deck |
Being sailed along the coast, eating a drinking, soaking up the
completely fantastic experience? My daydream in the shade of the sail, warm
wind tickling me as it blows across my body is happily interrupted when I am
handed a Pina Colata – got to keep the spirits up…I mean fluid intake up! I am
immediately snapped back to reality, hold on to your drink, pass the next one
forward… here comes a snack too “Oh would you look at that blue water!”
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| Nique maneuvers a cold libation in brown bottles |
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| Eat drink and be merry - Underway! |
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| Alex cooking a meal - Burritos al La Saltbreaker |
It’s not a dream, it’s Saltbreaker and her crew – we are being
served up a full dose of “How do you like me now?” I look back at Alex and
Nique – they share a knowing smile with me, possibly my drink has an extra shot
of rum? Lunch underway was a grand affair, the chef (unseen arriving by launch)
was busy below deck preparing a feast for all to enjoy. Oh and the chef? Alex
and Nique… seamlessly sharing the load and putting on a great meal – underway. It is decided by committee that we should drift and swim,
not sure who was on the committee but when In Costa Rica on Saltbreaker – You
do as the Costa Rica "Saltbreaker-ians" do.
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| Drifting aimlessly and we are very happy to do so |
We stop, then it is decided that a reposition
to avoid being directly off shore near the mouth of a river is a good plan.
Something about River beasts and other things like debris – I am cool with
that. We reposition, wow – close to
shore the air is hot. It’s probably more likely that the wind across our
contingent has ceased making the apparent “Real Feel” warmer is all that is
happening – so the water is inviting!
The crew sets a special sail condition that will allow
Saltbreaker to drift pointed into the wind. She will weather vane into the wind
at little or no speed. That’s when we all jumped ship and Alex realized that
this was the first time everyone was off the boat while she was not anchored,
and of course the sails were up… this statement was tempered by yet another
cold libation and a hardy pirate laugh. I recall thinking or saying out loud ,”Did
I hear that correctly?”
The crew sets a special sail condition that will allow
Saltbreaker to drift pointed into the wind. She will weather vane into the wind
at little or no speed. That’s when we all jumped ship and Alex realized that
this was the first time everyone was off the boat while she was not anchored,
and of course the sails were up… this statement was tempered by yet another
cold libation and a hardy pirate laugh. I recall thinking or saying out loud ,”Did
I hear that correctly?” Two of us set to the task of daisy chaining the surf
boards together and tying them off to the ladder which was also secured in a manner
which allowed for any drag present as Saltbreaker drifted.
After a short while “on deck rotations” for
libations, swinging off the deck on a mast rope and photo opportunities made
the exciting prospect of nobody on Saltbreaker a moot point. Our drifting platform was mostly occupado…
mostly I say smiling thru the glare of the sun, squinting as you shoot the
picture – no that was not a wink. Not a care in the world! Adrift a sea! I am
completely beside myself!
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| Nique, Lisa and Alex at the helm |
As the day lingers on we gather ourselves for a return to
the harbor and an evening swim to shore. We set course North along the coast to
Manuel Antonio. While underway we pass charter fishing boats and a school of
dolphin, a quick turn and we follow them once again. Hard to shoot under these
low sun conditions – bit it is readily evident that we are not alone. Cameras
out, Lisa does the Titanic Pose on the bow – we are safe – no icebergs in these
waters.
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| Looking West as the sun speeds towards the ocean... |
Turning East into the harbor – the shadows are long and the
colors are bright and inviting. Arrival preparations are being made and a
flurry of activity is evident. All hands on deck are taking direction or
maneuvering out of the way.
Anchors are
set, the sun has set, and preparations to take shore leave are complete. We are
going to swim to shore.
Our blue calm water of the day has turned dark against
the dimming sky – the sun slips below the horizon and we start our trek to
shore. Like a scene out of a movie, we all slip into the water
quietly with military perfection and under cover of darkness arrive un noticed
on the beach – our ultimate objective.
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| Nique sets the forward anchor |
Really? Ha!
The water was just as
welcoming once settled under anchor. I had to keep myself from throwing the
camera bag down into the ocean – geeze! I hand over handed the bag to the water
and jumped in past it. So did everyone else.
Gleeful laughing and childlike
giggles abound. Of course the girls were not as accepting of the dark waters,
they started to shore sharing a surf board and could be heard discussing (Is
this, are these?) “Things drowning girls say. “ Was that your foot? Are we
moving? And other statements which would be case for an uproarious round of
giggles and laughter – the girls were easily located over the din of the surf –
even in the dim light.
It is safe to say the days events on the water confirmed
that the crew has the means to continue on this adventure. They showed us the
ease with which they handle the boat and to me the additional distractions of a
full house while under way. I saw the chart checks and the navigation tweeks to
avoid unseen terra firma, the visits to the nav panel and the depth gauge
observations. I also saw the steering by foot, standing up looking over the
boat! I think they have it handled. I was completely immersed in the way of the
Saltbreaker and her capable crew, not a doubt in my mind or a fear on my heart
– they are world class representatives of the cruising community.
Who else could
get their aunts and uncles, Mom and Dad to jump into dark waters off the coast
of Costa Rica – to swim to shore - not once but twice?
Alex Dave and Nique. You have shared your adventure with us
on a very personal level and for me – a life experience I will not forget!
Thank you Thank you Thank you!
They have a way of their own and this summer I had the extreme pleasure of walking across the parking lot with them for Ice Cream. They bring with them the happiness only a child can bring - pure unabated "What you see is what you get!" I offer little hugs and a check to see if they are "still ticklish?" Giggles and smiles - gleeful eruptions of laughter all around - and still they come back for more.
Here Jeet (hands) and Tej - looking intently at the camera - share with me the wonder of these beads..."They were very small last night when we put them in the water...look at them now!" I am instructed to "Wash my hands!", now that I have I sampled the cool slippery feel. I highly recommend you pick one up once - I see why they like to hold them... kids!
