AND THE SUN SHINES DAILY ON THE MOUNTAIN TOP

The first few days out of San Juan Del Sur and south down the coast was a bit tense. As a safety measure I would have preferred to sail with one foot on the beach down the coast of Nicaragua to Bahia Santa Elena.

 Winds gusting 40 knots+...

Regis ( SV Aida's owner and skipper) choose the risk to sail straight across and bypass Santa Elena.

As it turned out, the old 44’ wooden cutter held up fine and we made our first safe crossing.

We could only fly a reefed mainsail in the 35 knots, gusting 40 knots + off the land. Anyway, nothing broke and nobody got hurt. Wind became more tame in the lee of Cabo Blanco, Costa Rica. We sailed full speed on a broad reach then turned east into the channel at Isla Murcielagos ( Bat Islands) on the fringe of the Golf of Papagoyo.

 We are now in Golfito, Costa Rica; a tropical paradise

The Golf was foaming white with wild un-clocked NE winds, waves and wild water. All sails down, we motored teeth and nose bucking into the easterlies to take refuge for the night in the safe confines of Isla Ensueno.

The next day's crossing of the Golf of Pagagoyo to Bahia Potrero (AKA: Flamingo) was tame. Dolphins sailed with us at the bow. A nice size tuna came aboard and joined us breakfast.

Did a few overnighters with one stop in Flamingo and another at Quepos.

We are now in Golfito, Costa Rica; a tropical paradise where the morning sun shines daily on the mountain top.

 This morning we push forward to Panama...

Humid afternoons are cooled down by daily rain squalls.

Our present position is 08’36.55 latitude and 083’11.33 longitude. Today will mark our 4th day in this interesting port. Golfito is a popular first and last anchorage for cruisers heading north or south.

The spacious lagoon provides excellent holding from all directions. Lush green hillsides are colored with an assortment of tropical plants, palms and flowers.

This morning, we clear customs and immigration then will push forward back out to sea for Panama. SV Aida is rigged and ready.

 The passage is going well...

Apart from a few minor adventures, the passage thus far is going well. Crew onboard consists of French Captain Regis Dizar, followed by me, Canadian 1st mate and navigator Eric Blackburn, and our loyal Nicaraguan 1st mate and deck hand Juan Chavez.

Regis doesn’t know a word of English, I don’t speak a vowel in French and Juan can only converse in Spanish, henceforth our language onboard ship is Espanol.

SV Aida is not equipped with auto-pilot. Perhaps our biggest caveat are the long sun burning hot hours at the helm.

Captain Regis Dizar

 Sea you shortly,

Okay mates, I’ll report back to you upon our final destination in Panama.

Once SV Aida is tucked away in Balboa, I shall be making my way overland back to my little family in San Juan Del Sur.

Eric and crew
Golfito, Costa Rica
Departing 08’36.55 latitude; 083’11.33 longitude