One good thing about Andiamo’s engine deciding to take an implosion break was that it got me back to land in time to watch the 2008 election unfold. And what a sight that was indeed! It was the antithesis to the disastrous, horrific and just plain criminal events that unfolded on that fateful Tuesday of November 7th, 2000. For as infamous as that election was, this election shall be FAMOUS, if not more. (more…)
I got the engine rebuilding blues… Part FOUR!!??
The Andiamo's beloved Perkins Diesel, "post-rebuild"
That’s right, previously unbeknownst to me, there is another chapter to what I thought was a long finished saga. Since the apparent success of this engine rebuild between June and August of this year, we’ve completed 7 trips between here and Panama. The engine has run virtually flawlessly save for an annoying minor oil leak that cost me about a quart of oil each trip. (more…)
Welcome to Shameless Plugs!!!
This ain't no ordinary snake oil my friends...
Ok, bottom line. Boats are frickin’ expensive, and I have a cat and Colombian girlfriend to feed! 😛
In this section, I’ll venture into the world of recommending books, products, sites, services, boat gear, information and any other stuff that I can only whole-heartedly recommend. I invite you to check out my suggestions and recommendations in this section, which I’ll be updating regularly.
If you find something you like, all I ask is that you use my link. I’ll also be putting up whole articles reviewing different kinds of products and services that I have checked out and give my recommendations on them as well. I hope you find this section interesting and not just blatantly commercial. My boat, girlfriend and cat all thank you.
Ok, now that’s a brand name…
Plagatox. The only name you need to know.
So on my last shopping run in Panama City, I came across an insecticide I’d never heard of before. It’s called PLAGATOX. Now mind you, there were lots of other brands of insecticides on the shelf. All the old-school favorites, Raid, Black Flag, Baygon, but PLAGATOX got my attention and nothing else mattered.
Really now, there couldn’t be a more perfect name for an insecticide than PLAGATOX. I was immediately captivated by the name. For the first time in ages, I’d been successfully marketed to. I was a mind-numbed consumer again. (more…)
A year without Aretha…
I miss my bitchy annoying one-eyed cat.
A year has gone by since Aretha checked out. I still can’t believe it’s been a year already. It still amazes me how much she comes up in conversation regarding Andiamo. Past crew and guests still love to rehash their favorite Aretha stories when we talk. I find myself always bringing up a funny anecdote about Aretha with our new passengers and guests. It’s never forced, it just comes naturally.
I also find it crazy that I miss her as much as I do. She’s a cat for cryin’ out loud. But for so long she was part of the boat’s “atmosphere” that I still find it hard to imagine she’s not around anymore.
On the water…
So we’ve been doing trips steadily, and I’m spending more time on the water than I have in a long while. Andiamo’s had to deal with some pretty crazy weather situations thus far, and has handled all really well. For me, it’s just nice to be out on the deep blue, especially in San Blas. Karen and I have been lucky to start building some really great connections and friendships with the Kunas. One guy, Dino, has become pretty indispensable to us. He’s our “go-to” guy in San Blas and has yet to drop the ball on us. A lot of the other Kunas are getting used to seeing us around, and are routinely coming by to see if we need anything. It’s nice.
The trips are getting more frequent, and Andiamo is getting busier. And we’re none the happier about it.