Erik Robb and wife Cindy came to visit for a week in the middle of January. They had planned on doing a substantial amount of diving (Cindy having gotten certified on their last visit) but Cindy arrived with a cold that persisted for their entire stay. So the two of them had to mostly be content to snorkel, which they did a lot of. Coincidentally, I had a cold as well, so it was Barb who finally took a dive with Erik when it became evident that Cindy would never be able to make bubbles. Barb reports that Erik, despite his relative lack of underwater experience, did a fine job.
The couple make lovely guests. Relaxed, helpful , appreciative and adventurous. For example, near the end of their stay we all went to Jibe City where Cindy took windsurfing lessons. On another occasion, Erik and Cindy dove and jumped off the top deck of Tusen Takk II.
When a Disney Cruise Ship was in town, Megan and Murray Zook spent a few hours with us. Megan is the daughter of Barb’s cousin Tom, which makes her a cousin once removed, if we understand the labeling scheme. It was nice to meet for the first time another relative.
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- Tooling around in the dinghy
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- Burgers at Osko’s
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- Fisherman north of Jibe City
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- Initial lesson on land
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- The bay was busy
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- Ideal conditions for learning
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- Away she goes!
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- Reddish Egret seen on our Jibe City day
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- “I KNOW I left it here somewhere!”
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- Erik, Cindy, Megan & Murray
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- Lunch at Yhanni’s Arepas
For the third consecutive year we participated in the annual Lora Parrot Count. This year we were assigned to the Fontein rookery which was near Rincon. My partner was Laura Koop, since Barb was suffering from an irritated Achilles tendon that prevented her from ascending to the dramatic observation point. Michael & Roberta (with whom we shared a ride aboard Wanda the faithful pickup) were assigned to an observation point nearby. Barb had to observe from the back of Wanda. We counted an amazing 250 parrots, the highest number in the survey. The total count for the island was a whooping 1,153 – the highest in the 24 years they have been counting Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrots.
We had scouted the location during daylight several days earlier, since on the day of the survey we were required to be on station BEFORE the sun came up.
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- Observation point for Laura and me
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- Roberta climbing to her spot on our practice day
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- Just before our ascent
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- Laura during the survey.
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- Barb stayed back at the pickup, seen in this view from out point
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- Complementary breakfast after the survey at Echo Conservation Centre
Pat had a number of us over for the super bowl, during which we enjoyed an extended “Mexican” meal.
In Other News …
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- The new fluxgate compass has solved our autopilot problem!
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- Nautico Marina now provides dinghy space!
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- Laura, Roberta and Barb
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- Sunday morning crepes
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- Barb on treadmill at Bonaire Health & Fitness
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- Demonstrators in support of Venezuela’s Guaido
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- Yet another meal at Zazu’s Burger Night
boat for sale! New boat???? New plan???
Warren, new plans. After 14 years on the boat for at least 7 months each year, one of us is ready to be boatless. The other of us has weighed the two options and unhesitatingly chosen the wife over the boat, but still wishes he could have both. 🙂
Good luck. I have enjoyed your posts for many years
Your RV will provide a continuation of your adventures. Please continue posting your travels.
Warren